The Adirondack Phantoms returned to the Glens Falls
Civic Center Saturday night taking on the Albany
Devils in their second preseason match of the season.
Adirondack's offense generated plenty of chances
and the home team seemed to dictate the play for
much of the evening but Albany goalie Jeff Frazee
turned aside 36 of 37 drives to guide the Devils
to a 3-1 decision.
Adirondack's preseason record now stands at 1-1
heading into their last exhibition game Sunday evening
at the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins at 5:00. The
Phantoms won their preseason opener on Wednesday
in Saratoga Springs 3-1 over the Penguins.
But fans got to return to the Glens Falls Civic
Center for the first time in months and were happy
to welcome the beginning of hockey season. The new
sound system made its successful debut while fans
also got to see a small preview of an even bigger
coming attraction. One of the impressive video-boards
is in place in the corner over Sections Q and R.
The wiring and other construction are still to be
done on the screen but just seeing it there was
a significant conversation piece for the Phantoms
fans even though it can not be turned on yet.
Rookie #38 Jason Akeson scored the lone Phantoms
goal after some impressive passing across the Devils
zone by Denis Hamel and Luke Pither to set up the
youngster in the right circle. Akeson's tally late
in the second period cut the Devils lead to 2-1.
The Phantoms had three power play opportunities
in the third period and several other solid scoring
chances in a 15 shot frame but were unable to get
the equalizer. Matt Anderson sealed the win for
Albany with 1:56 remaining to provide for the 3-1
difference.
Steve Zalewski and Joseph Whitney both scored late
in the first period a couple minutes apart for the
Devils to stake the visitors to a 2-0 lead even
though the Phantoms outshot Albany 13-8 in the opening
frame.
Akeson was perhaps the standout of the night for
Adirondack. Not only did the talent from the Kitchener
Rangers of the Ontario Hockey League score the team's
only goal, he also created some other fine opportunities
where the Phantoms just missed. Akeson is an exciting
play-maker who is hoping to be an impact player
in his debut professional season after lighting
it up in the OHL with a circuit leading 84 assists
and 108 points.
Johan Backlund made 20 saves on 23 shots for Adirondack
including several terrific stops. But it was the
back-to-back goals late in the first that proved
to be the difference. This is Backlund's third season
with the Phantoms.
Albany went 1-for-4 on the power play while Adirondack
was 0-for-5.
Adirondack and Albany had a heated rivalry last
year in their battle for the Time Warner Cable Cup
which the Phantoms ended up clinching on the last
home game of the regular season. And if the preseason
game was any indication it looks the rivalry could
pick up right where it left off last year. Several
scraps broke out between the two teams with Oliver
Lauridsen connecting several times in a row on Darcy
Zajac perhaps highlighting the many bouts. Garrett
Klotz went up against Harry Young in a battle of
tall guys. Tryout contract player David Brownscheidle
got into fights with a couple of different Devils
players.
The Phantoms and Devils will have 10 meetings against
each other scattered throughout the upcoming 2011-12
season with Game 1 for the Time Warner Cable Cup
taking place on October 24 at Albany. The Devils
next return to the GFCC on Saturday, November 26
over Thanksgiving weekend.
The Phantoms were without three of their star players
who were called up earlier in the morning to play
for the Philadelphia Flyers in their preseason game
against the New Jersey Devils. Mike Testwuide, Ben
Holmstrom and Eric Wellwood all traveled to Newark
for the NHL exhibition contest. Testwuide along
with another Phantoms from last year, Matt Read,
assisted on a Scott Hartnell tip-in goal for Philadelphia's
lone score in a 2-1 loss to New Jersey. Other Phantoms
from last year to play for the Flyers in that game
included Erik Gustafsson, Zac Rinaldo and Harry
Zolniercyzk who are all continuing to bid for coveted
spots on the opening night Flyers roster.
Other scratches for the Phantoms included Dan Jancevski
and Jon Kalinski.
Upcoming Events:
Sunday, Oct 2 - Phantoms at Penguins (Preseason),
Wilkes-Barre, Penn., 5pm
Saturday, Oct 8 - Connecticut Whale at Adirondack
Phantoms, 7pm. OPENING NIGHT presented by Nemer
Ford. Magnet Schedules presented by Great Meadow
Federal Credit Union. Special Opening Night Jerseys
which will be auctioned live immediately after the
game.
Monday, Oct 10 - Phantoms Golf Scramble at Hiland
Golf Course. One Phantoms player or staff on each
foursome. Space is limited. Call the Phantoms to
reserve your spot.
Mark your calendars! Adirondack Phantoms Opening
Night is Saturday, October 8. The Phantoms take
on the Connecticut Whale to begin the third season
of exciting Phantoms hockey in Glens Falls. Get
great savings and have fun with your friends, family
or co-workers by bringing your group of 15 or more
fans to enjoy fast-paced, hard-hitting Phantoms
hockey. Call the Phantoms to find out more at 518-480-3355
and check the team's website at phantomshockey.com.
Catch all the action of Phantoms hockey all season
long on the team's flagship station, Classic Hits
Q101.7 and on phantomshockey.com. Bob Rotruck, the
"Voice of the Phantoms", has the broadcast
coverage 30 minutes prior to game-time with Countdown
to Faceoff.
Follow the Phantoms on twitter @phantomshockey
and on facebook.com/adkhockey
Albany Devils 3 at Adirondack Phantoms 1 - Status:
Final
Saturday, October 1, 2011 - Glens Falls Civic Center
Albany 2 0 1 - 3
Adirondack 0 1 0 - 1
1st Period-1, Albany, Zalewski 2 16:11 (PP). 2,
Albany, Whitney 2 (Burlon), 18:39. Penalties-Gelinas
Alb (high-sticking), 5:31; Bourdon Adk (holding
the stick), 12:39; Anderson Alb (cross-checking),
13:43; served by Legein Adk (bench minor - too many
men), 14:46; Nagy Alb (fighting), 16:45; Brownschidle
Adk (fighting), 16:45.
2nd Period-3, Adirondack, Akeson 1 (Pither, Hamel),
15:14. Penalties-Brown Adk (tripping), 9:37; Roe
Adk (hooking), 17:35.
3rd Period-4, Albany, Anderson 1 (Whitney, Banwell),
18:04. Penalties-Anderson Alb (tripping), 0:57;
Zajac Alb (roughing, fighting), 7:45; Lauridsen
Adk (fighting), 7:45; Banwell Alb (roughing, fighting),
10:11; Brownschidle Adk (fighting), 10:11; Young
Alb (fighting), 15:55; Klotz Adk (fighting), 15:55.
Shots on Goal-Albany 8-9-9-26. Adirondack 13-9-15-37.
Power Play Opportunities-Albany 1 / 4; Adirondack
0 / 5.
Goalies-Albany, Frazee 3-0-0 (37 shots-36 saves).
Adirondack, Backlund 0-1-0 (26 shots-23 saves).
A-0
Referees-Tim Mayer (19).
Linesmen-Jim Harper (59), Frank Murphy (29).
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