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Glens Falls, NY-Michael
Leighton extended his own AHL modern-era record
for most shutouts in a career with his 33rd such
gem in a 3-0 victory over the previously streaking
Syracuse Crunch. Syracuse had their five game winning
streak snapped at the hands of the Phantoms who
won the season series seven games to one.
Leighton's 25 save performance was good for his
fourth shutout of the year and his first on home-ice
in front of the Glens Falls Civic Center contingent.
His previous shutouts came at Hamilton (4-0) and
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (1-0) in February and at Springfield
(3-0) on March 13.
Leighton is 6th on the AHL's all-time shutout list
but has the most of any goalie since 1975. He knows
about shutouts at the NHL level too as his three
shutouts in the Eastern Conference Finals led the
Philadelphia Flyers past the Montreal Canadiens
and into the Stanley Cup Finals.
The Phantoms struck quickly for three goals in
a five minute stretch late in the 2nd period for
all their offense. Eric Wellwood (16th), Kevin Marshall
(3rd) and Matt Read (4th) scored Adirondack's goals.
The win caps a terrific weekend for the Phantoms
beginning their last homestand of the year as they
beat the Albany Devils 9-5 and Syracuse Crunch 3-0
on back-to-back nights.
Adirondack has won five in a row on home ice and
are 8-2-2 in their last 12 home games. The Phantoms
are two games over .500 at home for the first time
this year sporting a mark of 17-15-6.
Eric Wellwood got the Phantoms on the board with
a power play goal at 12:31 into the second on more
good, quick puck movement by Pither and Mike Testwuide
setting him up. Wellwood is now tied for the Phantoms
rookie lead in goals with Ben Holmstrom and Mike
Testwuide who also have 16 apiece.
Less than a minute later Kevin Marhsall would blast
a slapshot from the right point five-hole on Syracuse
goalie J.P. Levasseur for his third of the year.
Marc-Andre Bourdon began the play by carrying the
puck deep into the right-wing corner before dropping
for Kalinski who left it perfectly for Marshall's
big blast.
Four minutes after that it would be Phantoms newcomer
Matt Read to light the lamp for his third game in
a row and his fourth game in six days. The play
was set up by J.P. Testwuide's rush into the right-wing
corner. He cleanly fired it across to Read into
the left circle with the big one-timer. Read joined
the team less than two weeks ago out of Bemidji
State (Minn.) and scored the winning goal late last
Saturday against first place Wilkes-Barre. He has
scored in three straight games now including tallies
Tuesday at Albany, Friday at home versus Albany
and this game against Syracuse.
J.P. Testwuide's play earned him #3 Star of the
Game honors. He also dealt the hit of the night
on a big open ice check of Matt Kennedy. He then
was challenged by John Kurtz and dropped the gloves
with him.
Adirondack outshot the Crunch 34-25. The Phantoms
were 1-for-8 on the power play while they held Syracuse
to 0-for-4.
Joe Paterson is now 22-14-8 as Head Coach of the
Phantoms.
The Phantoms "Rivalry" jerseys featuring
the classic circle logo and orange stripes in a
retro-look were auctioned to the fans after the
game live on the ice. Michael Leighton's jersey
fetched $1,000 from one determined auction winner.
There are five games left in the regular season
and just two home games remaining for the Adirondack
Phantoms who are in their last homestand of the
year. The Phantoms host Rochester on Monday and
then Albany again on Wednesday to decide the Time
Warner Cable Cup. Wednesday's game is also Fan Appreciation
Night featuring many prizes and giveaways to the
fans as the team thanks them for a fun second season
of Phantoms hockey in Glens Falls. Autographed jerseys
will be among the giveaways.
Phantoms Notes: Newcomer Mike Matczak joined the
Phantoms out of Yale University and made his pro
hockey debut after making it into Glens Falls just
a few hours before the game. Scratches for the game
included Dan Jancevski, Zac Rinaldo and Danny Syvret
as well as Matt Walker, Oliver Lauridsen, Tom Sestito
and Logan Stephenson.
UPCOMING GAMES
Monday, April 4, 7:00 p.m. - Rochester Americans
at Adirondack Phantoms
Wednesday, April 6, 7:00 p.m. - Albany Devils at
Adirondack Phantoms - Fan Appreciation Night - Last
home game of the year featuring many great giveaways
including autographed Phantoms memorabilia.
Phantoms Season Tickets for 2011-12 are on sale
now! Full season ticket holders get an Adirondack
Phantoms stadium blanket while supplies last and
also will be in the Phantoms mug club for $1 sodas
and coffees in Heritage Hall all season long.
Join us at the Glens Falls Civic Center for exciting
Adirondack Phantoms hockey, the top affiliate of
the Philadelphia Flyers. 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 and flex-packs.
Come watch future NHL stars and up-and-coming Flyers
prospects. 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.
Syracuse Crunch 0 at Adirondack Phantoms 3 - Status:
Final
Saturday, April 2, 2011 - Glens Falls Civic Center
Syracuse 0 0 0 - 0
Adirondack 0 3 0 - 3
1st Period- No Scoring.Penalties-Hamel Adk (misconduct),
4:31; Testwuide Adk (tripping), 4:31; Mitera Syr
(tripping), 11:56; Bourdon Adk (holding), 17:52.
2nd Period-1, Adirondack, Wellwood 16 (Pither,
Testwuide), 12:31 (PP). 2, Adirondack, Marshall
3 (Kalinski, Bourdon), 13:24. 3, Adirondack, Read
4 (Testwuide), 17:30. Penalties-Green Syr (cross-checking),
7:25; Lampe Syr (hooking), 10:54; Kurtz Syr (roughing,
fighting), 19:00; Testwuide Adk (fighting), 19:00.
3rd Period- No Scoring.Penalties-Green Syr (interference),
2:08; Guenin Syr (boarding), 3:52; Deschamps Syr
(elbowing), 4:53; Holmstrom Adk (tripping), 5:39;
Schofield Syr (tripping), 8:46; Zolnierczyk Adk
(tripping), 9:17; Maroon Syr (fighting), 14:13;
Zolnierczyk Adk (fighting), 14:13.
Shots on Goal-Syracuse 8-10-7-25. Adirondack 12-13-11-36.
Power Play Opportunities-Syracuse 0 / 4; Adirondack
1 / 8.
Goalies-Syracuse, Levasseur 13-23-3 (36 shots-33
saves). Adirondack, Leighton 13-12-3 (25 shots-25
saves).
A-3,534
Referees-Ian Croft (87), Ryan Fraser (14).
Linesmen-Steeve Lemay (64), Jim Harper (59).
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