December 15, 2012

Hundreds of stuffed animals and toys to be donated to the Salvation Army went flying through the air on Teddy Bear Toss Night. And the Adirondack Phantoms threw some punches in a number of bouts with the Syracuse Crunch to show that they weren't about to go down without a fight. But in the end, the Syracuse Crunch prevailed 3-0 at the Glens Falls Civic Center on Friday night.

The Phantoms had their chances but a number of big saves by Riku Helenius for the Crunch held the home team in check while other Crunch players dove and scrambled and made several key blocks in important moments. Helenius picked up his second shutout of the season

Jason Akeson, Tye McGinn, Zac Rinaldo and Matt Konan were among the Adirondack players who dropped the gloves and got in fights with various members of the opposing team in the chippy game. For Akeson, who found himself getting jumped after a collision at center, it was the first fight of his professional career. For Rinaldo it was his first fighting major of the season.

Adirondack went 0-for-7 on the power play in something of a reverse of the previous week's match-up in which the Phantoms held the Crunch to 0-for-10 on the power play when Adirondack pulled out a dramatic 4-3 shootout victory.

"The power plays I wish we would have been able to take advantage of" Phantoms head coach Terry Murray said. "We just didn't break the puck out the right way and the dump-ins we didn't allow us to recover. We ended up standing still at the blue-line when the puck was rimmed."

At the first promotional timeout of the third period, Dan Miner announcer over the P.A. system that it was time to throw the bears. And the fans obliged with a storm of stuffed animals during the popular annual promotion. Once again, Dax (ever the comedian) threw himself onto the ice as part of the festivities.

Alex Killorn scored on a great individual effort swerving around Brandon Manning. And Richard Panik rushed up the left-wing after a Phantoms turnover for a shorthanded breakaway goal to give Syracuse a 2-0 lead at the second intermission.

"As the game went along in the second period our energy got lower," Murray said. "After the second goal in really dropped of big-time. And then the frustration set in. And now it becomes a situation where you bring the referee into it and blaming him for situations when he's just doing his job. That's something that these young guys have to take away from this game. That you have to have discipline. There's going to be a lot of adversity in your career. And you're never going to get even with the officiating."

Adirondack battled their way through a 3-on-5 penalty kill in the third period to keep the game close. But Radko Gudas flew up the right wing and blasted a far-post shot past Scott Munroe shortly after that to conclude the scoring.

Adirondack had some close calls on a third-period power play to bring on the raining teddy bears but Helenius made more big saves. Earlier in the game, Zac Rinaldo had a breakaway try, Shane Harper had a point-blank chance, and Matt Ford had a big one-timer between the circles. Those were a handful of the quality chances the Phantoms were generating in the first period especially when Adirondack carried the play, had some power plays, and almost took the initial lead on a number of occasions.

But the Crunch survived Adirondack's attack in the first period and then turned it on in the second taking advantage of their chances the other way.

Syracuse increased their hold on first place in the Eastern Conference improving to 16-6-3. Adirondack's record stands at 10-13-1.

The Phantoms will take on the Crunch for the third straight weekend when they travel to Syracuse next Friday night. Adirondack is 2-3-0 against the team that won the league championship last year.

Adirondack continues their homestand Saturday night against the Manchester Monrachs and then on Wednesday night against the St. John's IceCaps on Pucks and Paws Night in which fans can bring their four-legged friends to the game.

UPCOMING

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

Monday, December 17 (7:00) - Phantoms Power Hour LIVE on Q101.7. "Best Of" show featuring some of the weirdest questions and player responses so far. Plus, Michael Cignoli of the Saratogian and Phantoms broadcast Bob Rotruck recap the weekend's action.

Wednesday, December 19 (7:00) - St. John's IceCaps at Adirondack Phantoms. Pucks and Paws. Bring your dog to the game! Also $1 hot dogs.

Friday, December 21 (7:30) - Adirondack Phantoms at Syracuse Crunch

Saturday, December 22 (7:00) - Adirondack Phantoms at Bridgeport Sound Tigers

December 23-26 - Holiday Break for the Team

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