Adirondack received more balance for their scoring
as Mike Testwuide and Tyler Brown notched goals
for a 2-1 lead into the third period. But the
Manchester Monarchs rallied from behind and a
long slapper from the point while goalie Cal Heeter
was screened made the difference as the Phantoms
fell in a 3-2 decision at the Glens Falls Civic
Center on Saturday night.
Zac Rinaldo started off the night with his own
special flair getting into a big fight with Richard
Clune to fire up the team and the crowd. Rinaldo's
bout in the opening minute of the game had all
the fans talking. After landing several punches
in a frantic flurry of fists he turned to the
crowd and raised his arms twice to generate even
more noise.
That early spark pushed the Phantoms onto an inspired
first period with several quality chances on Monarchs'
netminder Peter Mannino. Adirondack had the better
of the play in the opening 20 minutes but the
score still remained 0-0.
Head coach Terry Murray was especially pleased
with his team's game and what they brought in
the inspired contest. "I really like the
way we played as far as the emotion, the energy,"
Murray said. "Rinaldo did an unbelievable
job at the start of the game to set a tone. I
felt we had a lot of good looks. The puck just
isn't going in on any kind of a regular basis
for us."
After Linden Vey's diving goal across the slot
sliding it past Heeter's left skate gave Manchester
the initial lead, Adirondack would turn it on
even more.
Mike Testwuide's cannon from the left-wing on
a nice dish by Jeff Dimmen evened matters at 1-1.
It was only Testwuide's second goal of the season
and came on a picture-perfect slapper over the
glove of Mannino off the underside of the netting
and quickly out. The blast was one of the best
shots of the season.
"That was a great play. That was a great
shot" Murray raved. "He took a look.
He got a play from Dimmen, walks in, gets his
head up, and picked the far corner. It was an
NHL shot. He put a lot behind it and it was nice
to see him get that kind of a look."
Testwuide got back out there on the power play
late in the second period and initially appeared
to have perhaps scored again on the rebound of
a Danny Syvret slapshot. But Tyler Brown's stick
was in there too and after video review it was
determined that he had the poke on the power-play
providing Adirondack with the 2-1 lead after two.
Brown's goal was his second of the season.
"It's nice to see these guys step up,"
Murray said referring to the goal production from
his hard-working forwards who scored the team's
goals. "Testwuide in particular. He gets
his opportunity and he came out there big-time
tonight. Not only scoring but used his size, strength,
moved the puck well, held onto the puck. I like
what he gave us."
The Phantoms were still clinging to that one goal
lead with less than 13 minutes remaining when
Manchester would get their stronger surge to strike
back. Linden Vey's slapper from the point was
kicked out to Tanner Pearson to deposit the rebound.
Pearson had a couple previous close-calls including
a breakway earlier in the game.
With the score still tied 2-2, NHL'er Slava Voynov's
right-point blast trickled through the left-arm
of Cal Heeter who appeared to be screened on the
shot by a teammate.
"Their second and their third goal, those
are plays that are coming from almost as far away
from the net as you would want," Murray said.
"They're from the corners of the blue-line.
I'd like to re-do those goals."
In spite of the end-result, Murray reiterated
that this was the kind of game he wanted to see
out of his team and that the positives far outweighed
any negatives.
"But overall I really liked the buy-in by
everybody," Murray said. "The emotion,
the intensity, the work was tremendous. It was
a good game. It was two teams that are pretty
skilled and moved the puck well. And I thoght
both goaltenders did a real good job. Unfortunately
we ha that one breakdown at the end that gave
them that winning goal."
Several kids stayed late after the game to play
games on the ice and enjoy movies on the video-board
on the annual Boy Scouts Night with the Phantoms.
And the Haiti Relief Fund collected contributions
outside in the lobby for their upcoming missions
to help that area in need.
Erik Gustafsson missed the game after blocked
a shot off his foot the night before. Marc-Andre
Bourdon and Ben Holmstrom were both out of the
lineup with injury while Garrett Roe and Zack
FitzGerald were healthy scratches.
The Phantoms conclude their three-game homestand
on Wednesday night against the St. John's IceCaps
on Pucks and Paws Night when fans can bring their
pets to the game. That is Adirondack's last home
game before the holiday break. Next week, Adirondack
travels to Syracuse and Bridgeport on Friday and
Saturday.
Post-Game Concert. Post-Game Boy Scouts Fun.
And Haiti Relief Efforts.
Zac Rinaldo's fight in the opening minute fired
up the team and the crowd.
Manchester Monarchs 3 at Adirondack Phantoms 2
- Status: Final
Saturday, December 15, 2012 - Glens Falls Civic
Center
Shots on Goal-Manchester 9-13-14-36. Adirondack
13-12-9-34.
Power Play Opportunities-Manchester 0 / 3; Adirondack
1 / 2.
Goalies-Manchester, Mannino 5-2-0 (34 shots-32
saves). Adirondack, Heeter 3-8-0 (36 shots-33
saves).
A-3,747
Referees-Ryan Murphy (5).
Linesmen-Steeve Lemay (64), Frank Murphy (29).
UPCOMING
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
Friday, December 28 (7:00) -
Providence Bruins at Adirondack Phantoms. $2 Draft
Beer Specials
Monday, December 31 (3:00) -
Bridgeport Sound Tigers at Adirondack Phantoms.
An Adirondack hockey tradition; New Year's Eve
Home Game! Special Tuxedo Jerseys and Post-Game
Auction.
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Phantoms Holiday Packs
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puck or a hockey scarf. Packages are only $49
or $59. They're a great value! Call the Phantoms
to order yours at 518-480-3355 or stop by the
merchandise stand at your next Phantoms home game.
Supplies are limited. Get yours soon.
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