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Glens Falls, NY –
The Adirondack Phantoms opened the 2010-11 season,
presented by Bud Light, with a preseason thriller
against the Albany Devils in a 2-1 overtime loss
at the Glens Falls Civic Center. Some terrific saves
on both ends by Adirondack’s Brian Stewart
and Albany’s Jeff Frazee highlighted the evening
along with a few fights and shoving matches.
The buzz and excitement in the air was noticeable
for the beginning of real hockey again in the North
Country as the fans got their first look at many
new and exciting Phantoms players as well as some
popular returning favorites.
The 6’4” Stewart used his long legs
to make several fine saves.Stewart went the distance
and allowed a breakaway goal to the Devils’
David McIntyre 4:29 into overtime on the deciding
tally. Stewart played three games with the Phantoms
late last season after completing his collegiate
career at Northern Michigan University.
Luke Pither scored at 1:06 into the 3rd period
to give the Phantoms the initial 1-0 lead. Pither
is a speedy and exciting rookie out of Barrie in
the Ontario Hockey League where he racked up 36
goals and 94 points. He finished third in that league
in scoring trailing only the top two picks in the
2010 draft, Taylor Hall and Tyler Seguin. Pither
had several other quality chances including one
that almost won it for the home team just a minute
before McIntyre’s breakaway.
Pither’s goal was assisted by veteran Dan
Jancevski who played for Texas last year and wore
the “C” on his jersey and rookie Cullen
Eddy out of Mercyhurst College.
Jeff Frazee of the Devils was equally as spectacular
as Stewart in net as Adirondack was denied on several
quality chances.
The speed and intensity of the game seemed particularly
high at the beginning perhaps from the rush of being
in the first game action of the season for both
sides.
Garrett Klotz of Adirondack and Harry Young of
Albany dropped the gloves midway through the first
period for a lengthy grapple. It was the first of
many altercations on the evening as both sides seemed
to establish a healthy animosity towards each other
in the first of 14 total encounters this year (including
two preseason games). It seems likely that future
Adirondack vs. Albany matchups will show similar
physicality.
Phantoms rookie Zac Rinaldo took a five minute
fighting major and a couple of minors and picked
up where he left off in his Canadian Major Junior
career where he led the OHL in penalty minutes in
back to back seasons.
The preseason continues for the Phantoms and Devils
Saturday night at RPI’s Houston Fieldhouse
in Troy for a 7:00 p.m. game. Broadcast coverage
on the official home of the Phantoms, Classic Hits
Q101.7, will begin with the Countdown to Faceoff
show at 6:30. Adirondack wraps up the preseason
Sunday night at Syracuse at 7:00 p.m. with broadcast
coverage again beginning at 6:30.
The Phantoms and Flyers will continue making roster
moves over the weekend and into the beginning of
next week. Expect Adirondack’s roster to be
set by Wednesday.
The Phantoms open the regular season on the road
next Friday, October 8th at the Binghamton Senators
and then will be the visitors for Albany’s
home opener on Saturday, October 9th.
Adirondack’s first home games of the 2010-11
regular season, presented by Bud Light, will be
Friday, October 15th and Saturday, October 16th.
The Opening Night game is presented by Potvin &
Potvin Family Dentistry and Nemer Ford and the first
5000 fans will receive Phantoms magnet schedules
courtesy of Potvin & Potvin Family Dentistry.
Don't be left out! Tickets for all Phantoms games
are on sale now. Discount rates are available for
groups of 15 or more. Save off the individual ticket
price by asking the Phantoms about their great group
rate packages.
The AHL is celebrating their 75th anniversary season
and is the top development league for the NHL. More
than 85 percent of today's NHL players are American
Hockey League graduates and more than 6 million
fans attend AHL games every year.
Come watch future NHL stars and up-and-coming Flyers
prospects with exciting Adirondack Phantoms hockey!
A variety of ticket packages for all the fast-paced
action are on sale now. The Phantoms selection of
discount ticket packages includes 3-packs, 6-packs,
12 and 22 Select Plans, full season plans and Flex
Packs. Choose the plan that works best for you!
Get your tickets at the Phantoms office inside the
Glens Falls Civic Center, online at ticketmaster.com,
or by calling the Phantoms at 518-480-3355.
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