ADIRONDACK PHANTOMS
(1-0-0) vs. Bridgeport Sound Tigers (1-1-0)
Glens Falls Civic Center,
Friday, October 14, 7:00 p.m.
Affiliations:
Adirondack Phantoms (Philadelphia Flyers)
Bridgeport Sound Tigers (New York Islanders)
Promotion: $2 dollar draft beers from
6:00-7:30.
How the Phantoms Come In
After six days off, the Phantoms head into a weekend
slate of games which will see Adirondack play its
first (of 12) three-in-three sets of the season.
The first game will be Friday against Bridgeport
at the Glens Falls Civic Center, where the Phantoms
have won eight straight games dating back to last
season, and 11-of-13 overall.
After one week of AHL action, the Phantoms are
the only unbeaten team in the newly-formed Northeast
Division. Along with the Phantoms, the division
features the Connecticut Whale, Albany Devils, Springfield
Falcons and tonight’s opponents, the Bridgeport
Sound Tigers.
Last Week
After falling behind 3-1 in the second period
of their Opening Nigh tilt with Connecticut, the
Phantoms exploded for the game’s final five
goals, winning 6-3. Adirondack’s comeback
was paced by the help of six different goal scorers,
while 11 different Phantoms registered points. It
was the second time in team history that the Adirondack
Phantoms had six different players score goals in
a game, with the first coming during the team’s
9-5 win over the Albany Devils on April 1, 2011.
The Opening Night scoring included the first professional
points of Garrett Roe (2a) and Blake Kessel (1a),
as well as multi-point efforts from Roe, Denis Hamel(
1g, 2a), Mike Testwuide (1g, 1a), Oskars Bartulis
(1g, 1a) and Brayden Schenn (2a). Schenn, a former
fifth-overall draft selection of the Los Angeles
Kings, flashed his skills all night and showed the
fans of Glens Falls why he is regarded as one of
the top prospects in hockey. Schenn was acquired
by the Flyers (along with Wayne Simmonds) from Los
Angeles last summer in the deal that sent Mike Richards
and Rob Bordson to Tinsletown.
Oskars Bartulis scored the first Phantoms goal
of the season at 9:21 of the first period, and assisted
on an Eric Wellwood goal in the third period. A
background which includes 66 NHL games with the
Flyers, Bartulis’ goal was his first Phantoms
goal since October 23, 2009, when he tallied against
the Hartford Wolf Pack (the forerunner of the Connecticut
Whale) at the Glens Falls Civic Center.
The goal scorers in the come-from-behind effort
included Oskars Bartulis, Denis Hamel, Kevin Marshall,
Luke Pither, Eric Wellwood and Mike Testwuide.
After allowing three goals in the first 21 minutes
of the game on Saturday, Michael Leighton found
his form and shut down the Whale for most of the
game’s final two periods. Leighton finished
the game (the 400th of his pro career) with 24 total
saves, with 18 of his stops coming in the final
two periods. Leighton, a 10th-year pro, was a key
figure in the Phantoms’ second-half resurgence
last season, when he tied a team record for save
percentage (.926). The native of Petrolia, Ontario
has more AHL shutouts (34) than any goalie in the
modern era (since 1975), and he ranks sixth overall
in league history.
About the Bridgeport Sound Tigers
After not facing each other in the 2010-11 season,
the Phantoms and the AHL affiliate of the New York
Islanders will do battle six times this season,
including the two matchups this weekend. The teams
will play their second game of the weekend on Sunday
in Bridgeport, with the Phantoms traveling to play
in Syracuse on Saturday night, in between. The Phantoms
and Sound Tigers haven’t played each other
since the 2009-10 season, when Adirondack swept
a four-game season series.
Offensively, Justin DiBenedetto possesses arguably
the highest level of offensive talent on the Sound
Tigers. After finishing second on Bridgeport with
19 goals last year, DiBenedetto already has three
goals in 2011-12, as he netted a hat trick in Bridgeport’s
win over Albany last Sunday.
Defensively, two Sound Tigers to keep an eye on
are Calvin de Haan and Ty Wishart. Although he hasn’t
contributed yet offensively this season, de Haan
is considered one of the NHL’s brightest puck-moving
defensive prospects. The former New York Islander
first-round draft selection accumulated 135 points
(19g, 116a) over the past three seasons with the
Ontario Hockey League’s Oshawa Generals, and
he represented Canada in the World Junior Championships.
Wishart, a former first-round draft choice of
the San Jose Sharks, provides Bridgeport with bulk
on the blue line. The 6-foot-4, 220-pound defenseman
started last season with the Norfolk Admirals, before
arriving in Bridgeport after the New York Islanders
acquired him in exchange for goalie Dwayne Roloson
on New Year’s Day. Roloson would go on to
carry Norfolk’s parent team, the Tampa Bay
Lightning, to Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals
in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Bridgeport’s goaltending duties are split
between Anders Nilsson and Kevin Poulin. Neither
of the two have ever played a game against the Phantoms.
Affiliate of Brotherly Love
The Phantoms current roster features Eric Wellwood,
Blake Kessel, Tye McGinn and Brayden Schenn, all
of whom have older brothers on NHL rosters.
Blake Kessel’s older brother, Phil, and
Brayden Schenn’s older brother, Luke, both
skate for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Phil Kessel has
scored 30 or more goals in each of the last three
seasons and also recorded a hat trick last Saturday
while Blake notched his first professional point
with Adirondack. Phil has 128 career goals with
the Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs entering
this season.
Luke Schenn was picked fifth overall in the NHL
Entry Draft in 2008 and then Brayden was grabbed
fifth overall exactly one year later by Los Angeles.
Luke is in his fourth season as a defenseman with
Tornoto.
Tye McGinn’s brother Jamie plays for San Jose.
Jaime has been a part of the Sharks organization
since 2006-07. On October 3, 2009 he scored the
game-winning goal in the first ever Adirondack Phantoms
game at the Glens Falls Civic Center as a member
of the visiting Worcester Sharks.
Eric Wellwood’s brother, Kyle, is part of
the newly-formed Winnipeg Jets. He has also played
for the San Jose Sharks, Toronto Maple Leafs and
Vancouver Canucks. Kyle has played in 373 NHL games
entering this season scoring 68 goals and 105 assists
for 173 points. He scored a career high 18 goals
with Vancouver in 2008-09.
Denis Hamel on the Rise
Returning Phantoms leading scorer Denis Hamel
continues to rise up the all-time AHL ranks in goals,
points and total games played. Last Saturday on
Opening Night, he scored his 316th career AHL goal
putting him in a tie for 15th all-time in AHL history
with current Washington Capitals Head Coach Bruce
Boudreau. The scoring machine is creeping up on
14th place Fred Thurier (319 goals, 1937-52), 13th
place Bruce Cline, (321 goals, 1955-68) and Adirondack
Red Wings great and Adirondack Hockey Hall of Famer
Glenn Merkosky who is 12th all-time with 325 goals
(1980-91). “The Hammer” is tied for
42nd all-time in total points with 606. He is 34th
in games played with 777, just seven games ahead
of veteran teammate Dan Jancevski. Hamel has also
played in 192 games in the NHL giving a total of
969 professional games and an opportunity to reach
the 1,000 game milestone by mid-season.
Head Coach Joe Paterson
Joe Paterson returns for his second season as
head coach of the Adirondack Phantoms. The Glen
Lake resident assumed the reigns midway through
2010-11 and has guided the team to a 26-16-8 mark
since December 20, 2010. As a player, Paterson played
in 293 NHL games between the Detroit Red Wings,
Los Angeles Kings, New York Rangers and Philadelphia
Flyers. In the AHL, Paterson was a left wing on
the Adirondack Red Wings from 1981-84, and scored
52 goals and 122 points in 169-career games. He
also served as an assistant coach of the Adirondack
Red Wings for three seasons from 1992-94, under
Newell Brown. He played under Doug McKay, Bill Mahoney
and Bill Dineen while with the Red Wings. His best
season with Adirondack as a player was in 1981-82,
when he scored 22 goals and 28 assists, for 50 points,
in 74 games.
Don’t Miss the all-new Phantoms
Power Hour
The Phantoms’ new radio show, the “Phantoms
Power Hour,” debuts LIVE from McGinny’s
Tavern at 193 Glen Street in Glens Falls, this coming
Monday. The show will air on Q101.7 every Monday
at 7:00 and feature special guests from your Adirondack
Phantoms. This week’s special guests include
#15 Brayden Schenn and #19 Luke Pither.
Be Here! Phantoms Tickets are On Sale
Now!
Adirondack Phantoms game tickets are on sale now.
Starting at just $12.25 for adults and $10 for kids
it’s the best entertainment value in town.
Season tickets offer great savings and outstanding
perks and benefits. 22 game and 12 game plans give
the fans flexibility to choose the games that work
best for their schedule while also saving big compared
with purchasing the tickets individually. Call the
Phantoms at 518-480-3355 to find out more.
Phantoms to Host Outdoor Classic
The Phantoms have announced they will be a part
of the NHL Winter Classic week-long celebration
of hockey when they host the Hershey Bears on January
6 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. This will
be only the third outdoor game in AHL history and
is the first to be associated with the NHL Winter
Classics. It is also the first ever outdoor game
for the Phantoms.
"This is an extremely exciting day for the
Phantoms organization and Phantoms fans everywhere,"
said Phantoms President Rob Brooks. "A hockey
celebration and atmosphere unlike anything the AHL
has ever seen will happen at Citizens Bank Park.
We are extremely grateful to (Comcast Spectacor
President) Peter Luukko for helping make this truly
great event a reality."
Citizens Bank Park will also host the Philadelphia
Flyers vs. the New York Rangers on January 2. It
is the baseball home for the Philadelphia Phillies
and will have a seating capacity of approximately
40,000. The Phantoms are hoping to break the all-time
AHL attendance record of 21,673 set last season
at an outdoor game in East Hartford, Conn.
On the Air!
All Adirondack Phantoms games are carried live
on the flagship home of the Phantoms Hockey Network,
Classic Hits Q101.7 FM. Each broadcast begins with
a 30 pregame show. Also featured is an extended
post-game show including audio replay highlights
of the big goals so be sure to tune in as you driving
home after the game. Bob Rotruck returns for his
second season has the Voice of the Phantoms.
Fans can also listen on the Phantoms Hockey Network
on the internet at phantomshockey.com and on the
team’s alternative audio link, ustream.tv/channel/phantomsradio
. Games can also be seen on www.ahllive.com. The
presenting sponsor of the Phantoms Hockey Network
is Curtis Lumber.
Beginning Monday, October 17 is the all new "Phantoms
Power Hour" weekly show airing live from McGinny's
Tavern in downtown Glens Falls. The show featuring
Phantoms players, host Bob Rotruck, and you, the
fans, airs on Mondays from 7-8 p.m. on Q101.7
Jimmer Bobbleheads and More!
The first ever bobblehead of local sports icon
Jimmer Fredette highlights a great schedule of promotional
giveaways, events and bargains and fun. Even more
post-game skates with the players and lots of other
opportunities for fans to interact with the team.
Magnet Schedules, Youth Jerseys, T-Shirts, Youth
Knit Caps and that’s just to name a few.
Every Sunday home game is Sunday Family Fun Pack
Day when $39 gets you an amazing value with three
tickets, three hot dogs, three sodas, bucket of
popcorn and a program. All Wednesday games are Dollar
Hot Dog Nights.
Don’t forget other fun and special events
like Pucks and Paws on December 28 when fans can
bring their dog to the game. And the On Ice Halloween
Costume Parade on October 29.
Social Media Milestone
The Adirondack Phantoms thank all of our great
fans for helping us surpass reach the 10,000 milestone
for total social media followers. 6,400 fans on
our team’s Facebook page and over 3,800 fans
following us on twitter. And we’re growing
all the time! Be sure to keep up with the latest
Phantoms happenings and follow the Phantoms on twitter
@phantomshockey and on facebook.com/adkhockey
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.
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