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Friday night's game at the Glens Falls Civic Center
featured a hard-fought battle between the Northeast
Division's two best teams. The Phantoms got goals
from Eric Wellwood and Harry Zolnierczyk and mounted
a late comeback attempt but were unable to come
all the way back as the Whale won, 4-2.
For the Phantoms, it was their first regulation
loss at home in their last 12 games ending a streak
in which they had gone 9-0-2 dating back to last
season. it was just their second regulation loss
at the Glens Falls Civic Center in their last 20
home games, dating back to last February. Adirondack
is 13-2-5 in that stretch and 2-1-1 at home this
season. While the Phantoms fall to 5-3-1 overall
in the 2011-12 season, they're still second in the
Northeast Division with 11 points trailing Connecticut
by one.
Adirondack's goals were scored by Eric Wellwood
and Harry Zolnierczyk. Wellwood, a second-year pro
whose older brother Kyle Wellwood plays for the
Winnipeg Jets, is now on the first three-game goal-scoring
streak of his professional career. For Zolnierczyk,
his goal was his fourth of the season, which ties
him with Brayden Schenn for second place on the
team. Denis Hamel leads Adirondack with seven goals.
Michael Leighton made 27 saves and assisted on Wellwood's
second-period goal.
Tonight's victor, the Whale, used their 4-2 win
to pass the Phantoms in the Northeast Division standings.
Connecticut is now 5-1-2, having gone unbeaten in
regulation since its Opening Night loss to the Phantoms,
6-3, at the Glens Falls Civic Center on October
8.
With two goals for Connecticut, Jordan Owens was
the game's first star, while John Mitchell's second-period
goal was the game-winner.
Playing in his long-awaited first game of the season
with the Whale, Sean Avery scored an empty-net goal
in the final minute to cap the night's scoring and
then exchanged a flurry of punches with Marc-Andre
Bourdon after notching the game-clincher.
After giving up six goals in his only prior game
against the Phantoms, Cam Talbot made 27 saves on
29 shots and was the winning goalie.
The Phantoms and Whale have each won once in the
four-game season series, with both remaining games
scheduled to be played in Hartford. The first of
Adirondack's two remaining games in Connecticut
will be on December 21.
The game started with the teams playing on even
footing until midway through the first period, when
a slashing penalty by Connecticut's Carl Hagelin
set the stage for the game's first two goals. First,
Jordan Owens gave the Whale a 1-0 lead by depositing
a cross-ice feed from Kelsey Tessier, during a shorthanded
2-on-1 break for Connecticut.
The Phantoms stormed back during the same power
play and tied the score when Eric Wellwood came
streaking down the right-wing boards and zipped
a wrist shot past Talbot from the top of the circle.
John Mitchell restored the Whale's one-goal lead
when he tallied his second goal of the season, by
picking the upper corner of the net with a wrist
shot, 46 seconds into the second period.
Connecticut maintained its 2-1 lead until four minutes
remained in the second period, when Owens scored
his second goal of the game. With assists to Pavel
Valentenko and Scott Tanski, Owens scored his goal
with a 60-foot slap shot after creeping in from
the blue line below the radar of the Phantoms' defense.
With under two minutes to play, Harry Zolnierczyk
scored the Phantoms' second power-play goal and
cut Connecticut's lead to 3-2.
By going 2-of-8 on the power play in the game, the
Phantoms are 14-of-61 on the season, with at least
one power-play goal in 8-of-9 games.
Connecticut was 0-of-2 on the power play, but scored
a shorthanded goal.
The shots were 31-29 in favor of the Whale.
Adirondack wraps up their three-game homestand Saturday
night at 7:00 against the Hershey Bears. The game
will feature a Kids Halloween Costume Parade on
Ice as well as a post-game open-skate with Phantoms
players courtesy of Glens Falls Hospital.
The Phantoms scratches were Garrett Klotz and Jon
Kalinski. Adirondack was also without Zac Rinaldo
and Erik Gustafsson who were both recalled by Philadelphia
on Thursday.
Upcoming Events
Saturday, October 29, 7:00 - Phantoms vs. Hershey
at the GFCC. Kids Halloween Costume Parade. Postgame
open-skate with the Phantoms players presented by
Glens Falls Hospital.
Sunday, October 30, 1:30-4:00 - Cruise with the
Phantoms presented by the Glens Falls Civic Center
Foundation. All Phantoms players appearing! Hor
d'oeuvres and cash bar. Tickets $25 for adults,
$15 for kids: Available at GFCC Box Office and Achenbach
Jewelers.
Monday, October 31, 7:00 - Phantoms Power Hour LIVE
from McGinny's Tavern in Glens Falls (193 Glen Street).
Player guests: #13 Garrett Roe, #24 Harry Zolnierczyk.
Friday, November 5, 7:00 - Phantoms at Springfield
Falcons
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 has
the broadcast coverage 30 minutes prior to game-time
with Countdown to Faceoff.
Reaching 4,000 Twitter followers during Sunday's
game in Rochester, the Adirondack Phantoms are now
over 10,000 members strong on their social media
networks. Be sure to follow us on twitter @phantomshockey
and on facebook.com/adkhockey
Connecticut Whale 4 at Adirondack Phantoms 2 - Status:
Final
Friday, October 28, 2011 - Glens Falls Civic Center
Connecticut 1 2 1 - 4
Adirondack 1 0 1 - 2
1st Period-1, Connecticut, Owens 1 (Tessier, Bell),
13:09 (SH). 2, Adirondack, Wellwood 4 (Sestito,
Leighton), 13:37 (PP). Penalties-Bourdon Adk (slashing),
8:49; Hagelin Ct (slashing), 12:45; Mitchell Ct
(tripping), 14:03; Grant Ct (delay of game), 17:10.
2nd Period-3, Connecticut, Mitchell 2 (Zuccarello),
0:46. 4, Connecticut, Owens 2 (Valentenko, Tanski),
16:26. Penalties-Lauridsen Adk (cross-checking),
7:40; Mitchell Ct (roughing), 9:01; Marshall Adk
(roughing), 9:01; Valentenko Ct (boarding), 10:20.
3rd Period-5, Adirondack, Zolnierczyk 4 (Hamel,
Akeson), 18:11 (PP). 6, Connecticut, Avery 1 (Audy-Marchessault,
Bell), 19:27 (EN). Penalties-Deveaux Ct (double
minor - high-sticking), 9:26; Mitchell Ct (cross-checking),
16:35; Avery Ct (fighting), 19:27; Bourdon Adk (fighting),
19:27.
Shots on Goal-Connecticut 9-12-10-31. Adirondack
8-11-10-29.
Power Play Opportunities-Connecticut 0 / 2; Adirondack
2 / 7.
Goalies-Connecticut, Talbot 3-1-0 (29 shots-27 saves).
Adirondack, Leighton 4-2-0 (30 shots-27 saves).
A-2,910
Referees-Chris Ciamaga (24).
Linesmen-Robert St. Lawrence (10), Mike Emanatian
(69). |
