Hamilton, ONT-Denis Hamel recorded the second Phantoms hat trick in eight days and Michael Leighton turned aside all 20 shots he faced as Adirondack came away with an impressive 4-0 victory at the Hamilton Bulldogs Saturday evening. The impressive road victory comes against the first place team in the North Division.

It took a year and a half for the first ever hat trick in Adirondack Phantoms history which was recorded by Michael Ryan last Saturday at Syracuse. It was only eight days later that Hamel got the second one as he finished it off with an empty-netter with under four minutes remaining. Hamel now has 307 career goals in the AHL.

Mike Testwuide celebrated his 24th birthday by scoring the first goal of the night for the Phantoms, his fifth of the season.

Testwuide was on the backdoor of the crease when Dan Jancevski's slapshot from the point was deflected right to him staking the visitors to the 1-0 advantage three minutes into the game.

Jancevski would chip the puck forward on a long pass to Hamel late in the first period. From the right-wing, Hamel would blast a slapper off the underside of the crossbar and in for his first of the night as Adirondack came away with a 2-0 advantage after one.

Hamel would pick off a bad clearing attempt in the slot and punish the Bulldogs for the giveaway by wristing the puck top shelf over the left shoulder of Hamilton goalie Curtis Sanford to give the Phantoms a 3-0 advantage after two periods.

Ben Maxwell would blast a shot off the crossbar on the power play in the second period marking the closest the Bulldogs would come to scoring on the night.

With four minutes remaining in the third and still trailing 3-0, Hamilton would pull Sanford for the extra attacker. Just as he hit the bench the Phantoms would pick off a pass and race forward on a 3-on-1. Eric Wellwood selflessly dished it over to Hamel for the empty-netter allowing the talented veteran to complete the hat trick and seal the victory.

Hamel almost scored again with 10 seconds left after the Phantoms dug it away behind the Hamilton goal but his blast went of the helmet of Sanford and bounced away.

It was his first hat trick in over three year. His last came on October 27, 2007 as a member of the Binghamton Senators at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.

Logan Stephenson came close to scoring his first goal of the year as his power play slapshot early in the third period would ring off base of the right post and out.

The shutout win for Leighton is his first as an Adirondack Phantom and second of the year for the tea. Nic Riopel had a 26 save shutout performance at the Syracuse Crunch on December 28.
The shutout for Leighton was his first in the AHL since a 35 save gem on March 21, 2008 as a member of the Albany River Rats against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. That was the last of his seven shutouts for the Rats that season.

Adirondack is 10-7-3 under Head Coach Joe Paterson. And their record since December 17 is 12-7-3.
The Phantoms have a whole week off before returning to action next Saturday night at another first place team, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.

The Phantoms open a four game homestand on Sunday, February 13.

Phantoms Notes: Scratches for the game included Marc-Andre Bourdon, Michael Ryan, Luke Pither and Cullen Eddy.

Saturday, February 12, 7:00 - Adirondack Phantoms at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins

Sunday, February 13, 5:00 - Binghamton Senators at Adirondack Phantoms - Family Fun Pack ($49), Scoville Jewelers Most Romantic Moment Contest

Wednesday, February 16, 7:00 - Syracuse Crunch at Adirondack Phantoms - Check it Out Night! Ticket discounts with your library card.

Friday, February 18, 7:30 - Connecticut Whale at Adirondack Phantoms - $1 Hot Dogs

Saturday, February 19, 7:00 - Charlotte Checkers at Adirondack Phantoms - Papa John's T-Shirts (First 2500 Fans)

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.

Adirondack Phantoms 4 at Hamilton Bulldogs 0 - Status: Final
Saturday, February 5, 2011 - Copps Coliseum

Adirondack 2 1 1 - 4
Hamilton 0 0 0 - 0

1st Period-1, Adirondack, Testwuide 5 (Jancevski, Gustafsson), 3:11. 2, Adirondack, Hamel 15 (Jancevski), 8:06. Penalties-Rinaldo Adk (fighting), 0:01; White Ham (fighting), 0:01; Clackson Adk (roughing), 6:56; Bonneau Ham (roughing), 6:56; Rinaldo Adk (fighting), 10:25; Festerling Ham (fighting), 10:25; White Ham (goaltender interference), 16:28; Hamel Adk (tripping), 19:21.

2nd Period-3, Adirondack, Hamel 16 14:07. Penalties-St. Denis Ham (high-sticking), 2:00; Marshall Adk (delay of game), 5:21.

3rd Period-4, Adirondack, Hamel 17 (Wellwood, Moore), 16:14 (EN). Penalties-St. Denis Ham (slashing), 3:34; Maxwell Ham (slashing), 18:33.

Shots on Goal-Adirondack 5-9-5-19. Hamilton 9-4-7-20.
Power Play Opportunities-Adirondack 0 / 4; Hamilton 0 / 2.
Goalies-Adirondack, Leighton 3-7-1 (20 shots-20 saves). Hamilton, Sanford 19-10-1 (18 shots-15 saves).
A-3,430
Referees-Keith Kaval (40).
Linesmen-Jesse Wilmot (19), Kevin Ferguson (31).