November 28, 2012

Back to back penalties in a tied game in the third led to consecutive goals for St. John's followed by a furious Phantoms comeback effort that fell just short. The visiting IceCaps survived for a 3-2 victory on Wednesday night at the Glens Falls Civic Center to end Adirondack's three-game win streak.

Trailing 3-1, Rob Bordson for Adirondack scored on the deflection of an Erik Gustafsson shot with less than five minutes remaining in the third. And Sean Couturier's drive with a little over a minute left was barely steered away by St. John's goalie Eddie Pasquale and perhaps hit off the post on the team's closest call in the late moments. However, that one was among several other close calls for Adirondack. Tyler Brown also had a near miss from point-blank and there were early breakaways and great chances early in the game too.

"We had good chances going right back to the first period," said Adirondack Phantoms head coach Terry Murray. "The game could have been over with after one actually. We had so many good looks. Brown cuts in off the wing and I think he put it over the net. I've got to take a look at that one too. The opportunities were there. We took too many penalties."

The setback ends Adirondack's three-game win streak as the Phantoms are now 9-9-0 overall. St. John's with the victory improved to 10-9-1 including a strong record in their last seven games of 5-2-1.

Marc-Andre Bourdon and Erik Gustafsson both got tagged for stick infractions in their own end midway through the third period of an exciting 1-1 goaltenders' duel and St. John's found themselves with an extended 5-on-3. Paul Postma's blast past the left skate of Scott Munroe gave St. John's the lead. And a mere 10 seconds later, Carl Klingburg would backhand one towards the Adirondack net that appeared to be deflected on the way and then just sneak past the right skate of Munroe to the far post for what would prove to be the game-winner.

It was a frustrating way to go for the Phantoms in the power-play filled game. Adirondack's strong penalty kill had been magnificent for the IceCaps' first five power plays but it was the last two midway through the third that would make the difference.

In the first period, Zac Rinaldo was assessed a penalty for elbowing. At first, the penalty was put up on the board as a two-minute minor. But the officials conferenced and concluded that some contact to the head happened on the play and then assessed a five-minute major and a game misconduct leaving Adirondack one forward short for the rest of the night.

Harry Zolnierczyk scored his fifth of the year on a sharp deflection of a Jason Akeson shot. His second period goal got the Phantoms on the board at 1-0 and was the fifth time this season he has scored Adirondack's first goal of the game, all at home.

A couple minutes later, Alex Burmistrov's shot rebounded off Munroe over to Kevin Clark racing up the right side of the slot who was able to backhand home the second chance to tie the score at 1-1 which would go on to be the score all the way until the middle part of the third.

The Phantoms had the better of the play through the first half of the game when it was 0-0 and then 1-0. Harry Zolnierczyk and Shane Harper both had breakaway opportunities and other glorious chancces for Brayden Schenn, Jason Akeson and others were all denied on some very nice saves by Pasquale on his way to #1 Star of the Game honors.

St. John's would get their surge late in the second period to even the score and then kept the pressure coming in the third.

"We got caught in a three-quarter ice game," Murray said. "We're trying to get it back in and they're throwing it at us with a lot of speed and it ends up in our zone and now fatigue becomes a part of that shift. It was a good strategy by them and we got caught playing the game that they wanted to play."

Adirondack's late rally attempt after they trailed 3-1 had some chances but ended up falling just short.

The Phantoms outshot the IceCaps 33-26. St. John's finished 2-for-7 on the power play while Adirondack was 0-for-7.

UPCOMING

Saturday, December 1 (7:00) - Albany Devils at Adirondack Phantoms. Post-Game Skate with the Phantoms presented by Glens Falls Hospital. Flyers Ice Girls presented by North Country Snow Removal.

Monday, December 3 (7:00) - Phantoms Power Hour LIVE on Q101.7 at 7:00 PM with player guest Danny Syvret

Friday, December 7 (7:00) - Adirondack Phantoms at Rochester Americans

Saturday, December 8 (7:00) - Syracuse Crunch at Adirondack Phantoms. Phantoms T-Shirt Giveaway, first 2,500 fans in attendance. Pregame Pasta Buffet ($12)

Sunday, December 9 (4:00) - Adirondack Phantoms at Providence Bruins

Friday, December 14 (7:00) - Syracuse Crunch at Adirondack Phantoms. Annual Teddy Bear Toss Night to benefit the Salvation Army. Bring your Teddy Bear donation and throw it on the ice after the Phantoms score their first goal. It will be raining Teddy Bears inside the GFCC!

Saturday, December 15 (7:00) - Manchester Monarchs at Adirondack Phantoms. Boy Scouts Night. Pregame Pasta Buffet ($12)

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