March 3, 2010

HAMILTON, ON – Mika Pyorala scored his fourth goal of the season for Adirondack, but J.T. Wyman’s hat trick led the Hamilton Bulldogs to a 4-1 win over the Phantoms Wednesday night at Copps Coliseum.

No love was lost between the two teams, who were playing for the third time this season. The play was physical early on, leading to power plays for both sides, yet the game remained scoreless. Late in the period the Bulldogs struck first when P.K. Subban’s shot from the blue line took a fortuitous deflection off the stick of Hamilton forward J.T. Wyman and arched over goaltender Johan Backlund and into the net at 16:54.

Little changed in the second period, as the low-scoring defensive battle continued. However, one big difference was the scoreboard as the Phantoms struck back to tie the game at 9:13. During a four-on-four situation Sean Curry unleashed a sizzling slap shot from the blue line that beat goaltender Cedrick Desjardins, but rang squarely off the left goal post. The puck rebounded sharply out to the left wing where Mika Pyorala did not hesitate and one-timed the puck into the net for his fourth goal of the season. Pyorala’s goal, assisted by Curry and Marc-Andre Bourdon, snapped Desjardins’ shutout streak against Adirondack at 149:13. At the other end of the ice, Backlund came up with a handful of scintillating saves to keep the game level.

In the third period the Bulldogs pulled in front shortly after Garrett Klotz was called for interference. On the ensuing power play Backlund stopped initial shot from Frederic St. Denis and the first rebound from Ryan Russell, but Wyman swept home the second rebound for a 2-1 lead at 5:30. With the Phantoms pressing to tie the game, Hamilton went ahead 3-1 on a counter attack at 14:31 as Ben Maxwell set up Russell on a two-on-one rush. Then with 89 seconds left and Backlund pulled for the extra attacker, Wyman completed his hat trick performance with an empty net goal to seal a 4-1 win.

Cedrick Desjardins recorded his 23rd win of the season, stopping 25-of-26 shots as Hamilton improved to 40-14-3-5. Johan Backlund made 33 saves on 36 shots as Adirondack dropped to28-29-2-2. The Bulldogs out-shot the Phantoms 37-26 and went 1-for-7 on the power play; Adirondack was 0-for-6 with the man-advantage.

Adirondack returns home as they prepare to battle the Rochester Americans on Friday, March 5th at 7:30 pm at the Glens Falls Civic Center. Friday night is Phantoms Youth Hockey Jersey Night, where the first 1,000 kids age 14 and under will receive a free Phantoms hockey jersey courtesy of the Glens Falls Hospital Rehabilitation Center.

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 1 At Hamilton Bulldogs 4 - Status: Final
Mar 3, 2010 - Copps Coliseum

Adirondack 0 1 0 - 1
Hamilton 1 0 3 - 4

1st Period-1, Hamilton, Wyman 11 (Subban, White), 16:54. Penalties-Matsumoto Adk (cross-checking), 5:10; Clackson Adk (unsportsmanlike conduct), 7:44; White Ham (unsportsmanlike conduct), 7:44; Weber Ham (slashing), 8:32; Maroon Adk (hooking), 14:35; Stewart Ham (roughing), 17:00.

2nd Period-2, Adirondack, Pyorala 4 (Curry, Bourdon), 9:13. Penalties-Stephenson Adk (holding), 1:53; Matsumoto Adk (tripping), 7:45; Benoit Ham (slashing), 8:29; Belle Ham (hooking), 19:18.

3rd Period-3, Hamilton, Wyman 12 (Russell, St. Denis), 5:30 (pp). 4, Hamilton, Russell 13 (Maxwell, Pacioretty), 14:41. 5, Hamilton, Wyman 13 (Desharnais), 18:31 (en). Penalties-Klotz Adk (interference), 3:59; Bourdon Adk (cross-checking), 6:20; Masse Ham (hooking), 9:19; Stephenson Adk (interference), 15:45; Belle Ham (holding), 18:49.

Shots on Goal-Adirondack 7-14-5-26. Hamilton 7-15-15-37.

Power Play Opportunities-Adirondack 0 of 6; Hamilton 1 of 7.

Goalies-Adirondack, Backlund 20-14-2 (36 shots-33 saves). Hamilton, Desjardins 23-7-2 (26 shots-25 saves).

A-2,510

Referees-Frederic L'Ecuyer (48).
Linesmen-Jason Finley (6), Kevin Hastings (61).