December 7th, 2012

Sean Couturier scored on his 20th birthday but an impressive Phantoms' attack was unable to post any more goals in a 3-1 loss at Rochester Friday night. Adirondack out-shot the Americans 42-21 which included a whopping 25-6 disparity in just the second period. But Rochester rookie goalie Connor Knapp made some spectacular stops on his way to a 41-save performance for his first professional win.

It felt a little deja-vu'ish for the Phantoms who have certainly had the better of the play and dominated in the shots category in other recent games.

Adirondack barely let Rochester out of their own zone for much of the second period even forcing Amerks' head coach Ron Rolston to use a timeout with 10:30 left in the second as they were clinging to a 2-1 lead. But Rochester converted on two of just six shots in the second period, both by their captain Kevin Porter, to make the difference in the game. The Phantoms were unable to bury any of their 25 drives in that wild frame despite the sustained pressure and relentless attack.

Bryan Flynn scored three minutes into the game on a rebound right to his stick on the left-wing goal-line that he put in behind Adirondack goalie Cal Heeter.

It only took Adirondack 70 seconds following that to produce the equalizer as Jason Akeson's shot from the right-wing would be kicked out to Couturier who buried his seventh goal of the season and his fourth in his last seven games. "Coots" was the eighth overall selection in the NHL draft in 2011 and spent his rookie season in Philadelphia where he scored 12 goals for the Flyers. He is one of nine players on the Phantoms' roster who played for Philadelphia last year.

Adirondack kept pouring it on with more good chances even before their dominating second period. On one rush, Zac Rinaldo and Tyler Brown had big shots on Knapp following a steal by Rob Bordson. But Knapp was starting to get heated up and made the first huge stops of the many he would turn in.

Rochester briefly thought they had taken the lead early in the second period but the goal was waved off upon video review when it was determined the cage had been dislodged prior to the puck crossing the line.

Quick tic-tac-toe passing led to an open Kevin Porter in the slot for an easy looking power play goal five minutes into the second period giving the Americans a 2-1 lead.

Then after more great Phantoms chances, it would be Porter racing away again after stealing a puck from Couturier. He blasted his shorthanded goal from the left circle over the glove of Cal Heeter ringing off the under-side of the cage for his seventh of the season.

But it was Adirondack who kept dominating in the second period as Rochester struggled just to get the puck out of their zone. The Phantoms even had four power plays in just that period including 51 seconds of 5-on-3. But no dice. The Phantoms just couldn't break Connor Knapp.

The 25 shots on goal is the most in a second period for any AHL team this year. And it is the second most in ANY period this season bested only by Norfolk's 26 shots in a period on November 2.

The Phantoms were outshooting Rochester 35-16 at the second intermission after the 25-6 barrage. But Rochester appeared to make the necessary adjustments to slow down the relentless Adirondack attack and shots in the third were a more pedestrian 9-7 in favor of the Phantoms with far fewer spectacular stops from Knapp made necessary.

The Phantoms have had 42, 46 and 49 shots on goal in their last three games.

Jeff DImmen returned to the Adirondack lineup after missing the past month with an injury.

Rookie Matt Konan made his Phantoms' debut after his call-up from Trenton (ECHL) and recorded the secondary assist on the Couturier goal for his first career point in the AHL.

Scratches for the Phantoms including Marc-Andre Bourdon, Oliver Lauridsen, Mike Testwuide, Shane Harper, Zack FitzGerald.

The Phantoms are back at home Saturday night against Syracuse on Phantoms T-Shirt Night for the first 2,500 fans in attendance. It is also Glens Falls High School Football night featuring the whole team being honored between periods. The Glens Falls Indians made a Cinderella Run all the way to the New York State Championship Game at the CarrierDome in Syracuse. Adirondack completed their three-in-three weekend on Sunday at 4:05 at the Providence Bruins.

Adirondack Phantoms 1 at Rochester Americans 3 - Status: Final
Friday, December 7, 2012 - Blue Cross Arena

Adirondack 1 0 0 - 1
Rochester 1 2 0 - 3

1st Period-1, Rochester, Flynn 9 (Foligno, Rankin), 3:44 (PP). 2, Adirondack, Couturier 7 (Akeson, Konan), 4:54. Penalties-Eddy Adk (hooking), 2:52; Dimmen Adk (tripping), 14:37.

2nd Period-3, Rochester, Porter 6 (Adam, Mancari), 5:56 (PP). 4, Rochester, Porter 7 (McNabb), 11:31 (SH). Penalties-Dimmen Adk (roughing), 4:02; Biega Rch (holding), 10:25; Roy Rch (closing hand on puck), 11:34; Finley Rch (boarding), 14:24; Gauthier-Leduc Rch (high-sticking), 17:08; Holmstrom Adk (interference), 19:10.

3rd Period- No Scoring.Penalties-Holmstrom Adk (roughing, misconduct - unsportsmanlike conduct), 2:58; Foligno Rch (roughing), 2:58; McNabb Rch (closing hand on puck), 11:31; Zolnierczyk Adk (delay of game), 18:00.

Shots on Goal-Adirondack 10-25-7-42. Rochester 10-6-5-21.
Power Play Opportunities-Adirondack 0 / 5; Rochester 2 / 5.
Goalies-Adirondack, Heeter 3-7-0 (21 shots-18 saves). Rochester, Knapp 1-2-0 (42 shots-41 saves).
A-5,948
Referees-Trevor Hanson (47), Matt Kirk (66).
Linesmen-Mike Hamilton (60), Tim Kotyra (53).

UPCOMING

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

Monday, December 11 (7:00) - Phantoms Power Hour LIVE on Q101.7 at 7:00 PM with player guests Erik Gustafsson and Oliver Lauridsen.

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)

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