February 10, 2010

GLENS FALLS, NY – Jason Ward and Sean Curry each scored power play goals as the Adirondack Phantoms took down the Rochester Americans 3-1 Wednesday night at the Glens Falls Civic Center.

Rochester came out strong and created more chances in the first few minutes of the game, but starting goaltender Johan Backlund came ready to play and kept the Americans off the scoreboard. Adirondack responded and played evenly with the Amerks for most of the period, before taking the lead on a great individual effort from Jonathan Kalinski. The Phantoms centerman took the puck from behind his own net and skated coast-to-coast, snapping a wrist shot through the legs of goaltender for an unassisted goal at 14:45.

Adirondack carried the momentum into the second period and on their second period play of the game Jared Ross made a cross-ice pass to Jason Ward, who unleashed a blazing one-timer from the top of the left face off circle that beat Salak to the left post at 3:40, giving the Phantoms a 2-0 lead. Ward’s power play goal, his ninth goal overall this season, was assisted by Ross and Mika Pyorala. The home side continued to pound shots at the Rochester goal and would have increased their lead further had it not been for the solid play of the Amerks rookie goalie. With 53 seconds left in the period Rochester got on the board when the caught the Phantoms napping off a defensive zone draw. David Brine won the face-off through the legs of Jon Matsumoto and quickly crossed the puck to the far post to an unmarked Michal Repik who had an easy tap in to make it a 2-1 game.

Adirondack clamped down defensively in the third period and would not allow the Amerks to find the tying goal. Late in the period defenseman Sean Curry gave the Phantoms some much-needed insurance as he finished off a clever pass from Matsumoto for a power play goal at 15:52 and a 3-1 Adirondack win.

Johan Backlund was superb in goal once again as he stopped 25-of-26 shots to record his 16th win of the season, helping Adirondack improve to 24-23-2-2 on the year. Alexander Salak made 22 saves on 25 shots as he took his ninth loss of the season and Rochester fell to 30-20-2-0. The Americans out-shot the Phantoms 26-25 in the game and went 0-for-3 on the power play; Adirondack was 2-for-4 with the man-advantage.

Next up for Adirondack is a trip to Maine as they will battle the Portland Pirates on Saturday, February 13th for a 7:00 pm face off at the Cumberland County Civic Center. The Phantoms are back on Sunday, February 14th as they host the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in a Valentine’s Day game at 3:00 pm at the Glens Falls Civic Center. During Sunday’s game Scoville Jewelers will announce the grand prize winner of their Most Romantic Moment contest.

There is no better way to watch Phantoms Hockey than by sharing it with a group of your family and friends. Bring a group of 15 or more people to the Glens Falls Civic Center and qualify for incredible discounted ticket prices off the regular box office rates. For more information about group tickets, contact the Phantoms at (518) 480-3355 or online at www.phantomshockey.com.

FINAL BOX SCORE

Rochester Americans 1 At Adirondack Phantoms 3 - Status: Final
Feb 10, 2010 - Glens Falls Civic Center

Rochester 0 1 0 - 1
Adirondack 1 1 1 - 3

1st Period-1, Adirondack, Kalinski 6 14:45. Penalties-Mink Rch (high-sticking), 15:22.

2nd Period-2, Adirondack, Ward 9 (Ross, Pyorala), 3:40 (pp). 3, Rochester, Repik 17 (Brine), 19:07. Penalties-Duco Rch (high-sticking), 1:55; Ellerby Rch (roughing), 13:16; Marshall Adk (roughing), 13:16; Ward Adk (high-sticking), 14:55.

3rd Period-4, Adirondack, Curry 2 (Matsumoto, Maroon), 15:52 (pp). Penalties-Pyorala Adk (hooking), 3:30; Pyorala Adk (goaltender interference), 11:58; Mink Rch (holding), 15:44; served by Steiner Rch (bench minor - too many men), 16:38.

Shots on Goal-Rochester 10-7-9-26. Adirondack 8-12-5-25.

Power Play Opportunities-Rochester 0 of 3; Adirondack 2 of 4.

Goalies-Rochester, Salak 23-9-0 (25 shots-22 saves). Adirondack, Backlund 16-10-2 (26 shots-25 saves).

A-2,623

Referees-Francis Charron (46).
Linesmen-Jim Briggs (83), Frank Murphy (29).