February 17, 2010

BINGHAMTON, NY – Sean Curry’s third period power play goal proved to be the game-winner as the Adirondack Phantoms beat the Binghamton Senators 4-3 Wednesday night at the Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena.

Looking to end a two-game losing skid, the Phantoms knew that the special teams battle would be crucial against the Senators. They would strike first as Jared Ross sent Mika Pyorala off on a shorthanded breakaway and the Oulu, Finland native faked the puck and move it around goaltender Mike Brodeur at 13:05 to give Adirondack a 1-0 lead. Less than 90 seconds later, the Senators tied the game just after their first power play expired. Paul Baier’s slap shot from the left point took a fortuitous deflection off the skate of teammate Keegan Dansereau and into the far-post at 14:22. The Phantoms had to kill off another power play late in the period as they were out-shot in the opening frame 12-6.

Early in the second period defenseman Joey Mormina was unlucky not to score on a two-on-one when he blasted a one-timer on goal from a Stefan Legein pass, but was thwarted by Brodeur. Shortly after that chance, All-Star Jon Matsumoto put Adirondack ahead 2-1 at 1:34 when he took a pass from Andreas Nodl and quickly snapped a shot under the blocker of Brodeur. Binghamton tied the game at 2-2 on a highlight-reel goal from Josh Hennessy on the power play at 13:39, as he slipped behind a Phantoms defenseman by playing the puck through his own legs and then, as he was falling to his knees, shot the puck low to beat goaltender Johan Backlund. The Adirondack goaltender was outstanding the rest of the period, robbing Cody Bass on two point-blank chances and then stretched to deny a blistering slap shot from Derek Smith. Logan Stephenson put the Phantoms back in the lead 3-2 at 16:16 when he stole the puck in the neutral zone, split the Binghamton defense and beat Brodeur on a breakaway for his first goal of the season.

Adirondack increased their lead just 2:54 into the third period when Marc-Andre Bourdon setup Sean Curry for a power play one-timer and Curry hammered the puck into the back of the net from the high slot for his third goal in four games, giving the Phantoms a 4-2 lead. With just over seven minutes left in regulation Martin St. Pierre scored on a rebound for a power play goal to pull the Senators back to 4-3, but the Phantoms would hold off the Senators late push to equalize. With seconds remaining, Stefan Legein almost scored an empty net goal to ice the game, but rang his shot off the right post moments before the game came to an end.

Johan Backlund turned in another inspiring performance as he made 42 saves on 45 shots to record his 17th win of the season, helping Adirondack improve to 25-25-2-2 on the year. Mike Brodeur stopped 18-of-22 shots and took the loss in goal for Binghamton, who dropped to 22-25-3-2. The Senators out-shot the Phantoms 45-22 in the game and went 2-for-6 on the power play; Adirondack was 1-for-3 with the man-advantage.

The Phantoms now return home as they prepare to host the defending Calder Cup champion Hershey Bears on Friday, February 19th for a 7:30 pm face off at the Glens Falls Civic Center, presented by Adirondack Community College.

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. Don’t miss a minute of the exciting action of the Adirondack Phantoms 2009-2010 Season presented by Bud Light.

FINAL BOX SCORE

Adirondack Phantoms 4 At Binghamton Senators 3 - Status: Final
Feb 17, 2010 - Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena

Adirondack 1 2 1 - 4
Binghamton 1 1 1 - 3

1st Period-1, Adirondack, Pyorala 3 (Ross), 13:05 (sh). 2, Binghamton, Dansereau 4 (Baier, Smith), 14:22. Penalties-Bannister Bng (boarding), 1:54; Bellamy Adk (roughing), 12:11; Nodl Adk (interference), 17:33.

2nd Period-3, Adirondack, Matsumoto 20 (Nodl, Laliberte), 1:34. 4, Binghamton, Hennessy 18 (Dansereau, Smith), 13:39 (pp). 5, Adirondack, Stephenson 1 16:16. Penalties-Stephenson Adk (hooking), 4:57; Mormina Adk (holding the stick), 12:05.

3rd Period-6, Adirondack, Curry 4 (Bourdon), 2:54 (pp). 7, Binghamton, St. Pierre 15 (Keller, Smith), 12:51 (pp). Penalties-Stephenson Adk (interference), 1:15; Bass Bng (slashing), 1:15; Kinrade Bng (hooking), 2:04; Stephenson Adk (holding), 3:59; Nodl Adk (hooking), 11:24; Bass Bng (holding), 13:47.

Shots on Goal-Adirondack 6-7-9-22. Binghamton 12-19-14-45.

Power Play Opportunities-Adirondack 1 of 3; Binghamton 2 of 6.

Goalies-Adirondack, Backlund 17-11-2 (45 shots-42 saves). Binghamton, Brodeur 9-7-2 (22 shots-18 saves).

A-2,685

Referees-Terry Koharski (10).
Linesmen-Jameel Chaudry (51), John Everett (82).