Scott Munroe stopped 26 Albany Devils' drives
on his way to his 19th career American Hockey
League shutout as the Phantoms prevailed 4-0 on
Saturday night at the Glens Falls Civic Center.
Perhaps the best and most complete team effort
of the year was led by four different goal-scorers,
three of which were on special teams. Sean Couturier
shorthanded, Ben Holmstrom and Erik Gustafsson
on the power play, and Shane Harper at even-strength,
all lit the lamp in front of a noisy and raucous
contingent of 4,355 fans enjoying the performance.
The blank-sheet was the 11th as a Phantom for
Munroe who had 10 with the Philadelphia Phantoms
from 2006-09 and was also his 67th career victory
with the franchise putting him just four away
from Antero Nittymaki for second place all-time.
Munroe had five shutouts last season with the
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.
Adirondack's win evens the Time Warner Cable Cup
series at one game each with 10 more still to
go in the Northway rivalry. Round 3 comes up next
Saturday when the Phantoms head back to the Times
Union Center in Albany.
Fans arrived early to receive Phantoms Team Posters
courtesy of Glens Falls Printing and stayed late
for a rare autograph session post-game featuring
the whole team. It was truly a great night for
Phantoms fans from start to finish.
Munroe was the #1 Star of the Game and was happy
to be given the early lead to work with. Some
of his best work came early in the second period
when Adirondack's lead was 1-0.
"Well, they made a bit of a push," Munroe
said. "And that's what you got to do sometimes...make
the key saves. And they had a couple of power
plays and even the 5-on-3 in the third. We did
a good job of killing those off. If they had scored
a goal early in the second then it's a different
game. That's what you gotta do is handle those
pushes."
Along with Munroe's goaltending which included
several spectacular saves, the Phantoms' special
teams were key. Not only did Adirondack go 2-for-5
on the power play, they also added a shorthanded
goal while holding Albany to 0-for-7 on the man-advantage.
Early in the third period when the score was 2-0,
Adirondack had to kill four consecutive minutes
of back-to-back Albany power plays. And later
in the third when they extended their lead to
3-0, the Phantoms knocked off 1:40 of 5-on-3 time
in which the Devils had a fine opportunity to
climb back into the game.
"Special teams are big part of the game and
they were very important tonight...absolutely."
said Phantoms head coach Terry Murray. "Penalty
killing I thought did a very good job and that
starts with the goaltender. Munroe made some big
stops at the right time. And we capitalized on
the power play. I thought Holmstrom's goal was
just a tremendous effort. Simple play, get pucks
to the net."
The Phantoms outshot Albany 32-26 as they improved
to 4-5-0 on the regular season with a split of
their weekend homestand.
Sean Couturier struck in the first period when
Brayden Schenn's nice dish across the neutral
zone set Couturier free on the shorthanded breakaway.
After getting Devils' goalie Keith Kinkaid to
commit to a poke-attempt, Couturier was able to
go around the netminder's left-skate and casually
slip it around him and into the back of the net
for his second goal of the season and Adirondack's
second shorthanded tally of the year.
While it was Couturier's first goal since Opening
Night, it was his eighth point in his last four
games. The 19-year-old talent who was the eighth
overall pick in the 2011 draft now has one goal
and seven assists over that stretch.
It was the first time Adirondack had scored the
first goal of the night and it came as a result
of what was likely their best overall start of
the season right from the drop of the puck.
Leading 1-0, Adirondack went on the power play
in the second period and Matthew Ford's shot was
blocked down by Kinkaid but with Zac Rinaldo creating
traffic in front, Ben Holmstrom was able to grab
the loose biscuit and fling it home past the sprawled
Kinkaid on his right-handed forehand.
Adirondack carried the 2-0 lead into the third
period and then killed four minutes straight of
Albany power-play time to wild cheers from the
crowd who recognized the clear importance of the
hustle and determination of the Phantoms' defenders.
Then it was Adirondack's turn to get the advantage
and they would strike again. After Sean Couturier's
drive from the right-circle pinged off the post,
Erik Gustafsson found himself with an opportunity
in the left-circle and snapped home a 5-on-3 goal
short-side on Kinkaid for his first score of the
year.
Down to four minutes left and Shane Harper would
have a rebound chance wide of Kinkaid that we
would tuck in for his second goal of the season
making the score 4-0. While the Phantoms were
celebrating their goal, Matthew Corrente of the
Devils took exception to the home team's revelry
and started a challenge with Erik Gustafsson that
developed into a line-brawl.
Albany's frustrations were apparent throughout
and that combined with the loud fan-base created
a recipe for early-season intensity that is certain
to get even more heated up in the upcoming 10
encounters between the two foes.
The game was Adirondack's last at home for the
next 19 days. The annual rodeo event and other
concerts taking place at the Glens Falls Civic
Center mean the Phantoms will be spending most
of their upcoming practices at the rec-center
on Fire Road.
The Phantoms embark on a five-game road trip beginning
next Friday at the Rochester Americans, AHL affiliate
of the Buffalo Sabres. Adirondack is back in the
area for a Saturday night game at the Albany Devils.
Adirondack's next home is Wednesday, November
21, the day before Thanksgiving, against the Bridgeport
Sound Tigers. The Phantoms are also at home on
Black Friday against Norfolk and the day after
that, Saturday, November 24 against Hershey.
Albany Devils 0 at Adirondack Phantoms 4 - Status:
Final
Saturday, November 3, 2012 - Glens Falls Civic
Center
Shots on Goal-Albany 6-9-11-26. Adirondack 11-12-10-33.
Power Play Opportunities-Albany 0 / 7; Adirondack
2 / 5.
Goalies-Albany, Kinkaid 1-4-0 (33 shots-29 saves).
Adirondack, Munroe 3-2-0 (26 shots-26 saves).
A-4,355
Referees-Dave Lewis (46).
Linesmen-Mike Emanatian (69), Frank Murphy (29).
Upcoming Events
Monday, November 5 (7:00) -
Phantoms Power Hour on Q101.7. Scheduled guests
include Andrew Johnston and TBA. This week's show
from the GFCC press-box. New live location where
the fans can attend with us to be announced soon!
Friday, November 9 (7:00) -
Adirondack Phantoms at Rochester Americans
Saturday, November 10 (7:00) - Adirondack
Phantoms at Albany Devils
Wednesday, November 14 (10:00 am) -
Adirondack Phantoms at Manchester Monarchs.
Phantoms Have You Covered
We have all the latest interviews, game-recaps,
videos and more. Make sure you're keeping up!
Follow the Phantoms and join our online communities
on facebook.com/adkhockey and on twitter @phantomshockey.
And, of course, check in frequently at our official
team website at phantomshockey.com
Mustache Mania!!
Phantoms Fight Cancer this month features players
and staff growing mustaches to raise awareness
and generate funds for men's cancer issues. Contribute
in the donation cans at the Phantoms game for
your favorite Phantoms mustache grower (even Dax!!)
The month will feature a Phantoms Mustache Jersey
in our November 24 game presented by Parks Heritage
Federal Credit Union with part of the proceeds
from the post-game jersey auction to benefit the
C.R. Wood Cancer Center at Glens Falls Hospital.
Visit our special Movember site at mobro.co/phantomshockey
= Tickets 
= Listen Live
= Watch Live