The Adirondack Phantoms traveled to snowy Lewiston, Maine for a Saturday night matchup against the Portland Pirates and just missed on a late dramatic comeback eventually falling 2-1.

Portland recorded a pair of power play goals in the second period by Brandon Gormley (2nd) and Michael Stone (5th) for a 2-0 lead. Adirondack didn't get on the board until the closing minutes of the game when Jason Akeson would finally break through with his third goal of the season from the left side during a 5-on-3 power play.

That goal with 2:37 remaining in the game gave the Phantoms a chance. And they continued on the power play and then pulled goalie Scott Munroe to make it a 6-on-4 attack. But the Portland defenders were able to dig and battle just enough as well as blocking key drives in front to help their rookie goalie Mark Visentin hang on for the win.

For his part, Scott Munroe played extremely even though he took the loss. He allowed the two power play goals but also made several terrific stops on pucks that looked like sure-fire goals for the Pirates.

Gormley scored on a rebound to the high slot to give Portland the initial lead on a 5-on-4 tally past Munroe.

Oliver Lauridsen's stick broke early on a 5-on-3 penalty kill and Portland was eventually able to take advantage in the closing minute of the second period to extend their lead to 2-0 on the wrister from the left circle going top shelf by Stone.

Adirondack came on strong in the third with lots of good chances. A late penalty by Matt Konan killed that momentum some but after he returned with four minutes remaining the Pirates would suffer back-to-back penalties of their own to open the door for a potentially exciting comeback for Adirondack.

Akeson's 5-on-3 goal on the left-wing made it 2-1 with 2:37 left with still plenty of power play time. But that would be all for the Phantoms. Portland picked up their seventh win in their last eight games to move back into first place in the Atlantic Division at 17-11-2. Adirondack's record moved to 13-16-2.

All the goals came on power plays. Portland went 2-for-8 on the man-advantage while the Phantoms were 1-for-8. Portland out-shot Adirondack 33-25.

The game was the second of four this year between the Phantoms and Pirates. Adirondack will visit Portland again on March 13, this time at the Cumberland County Civic Center.

The game was played at Portland's alternative home rink in Lewiston, Maine. The old-school barn is host for six Pirates this year. It is the former home of the Lewiston MAINEiacs of the QMJHL and also the site of a Muhammad Ali heavyweight championship victory over Sonny Liston in 1965.

Scratches for the Phantoms included Garrett Roe and Matthew Ford as well as injured players Marc-Andre Bourdon, Ben Holmstrom and Erik Gustafsson.

Adirondack returns home Monday at 3:00 for the traditional New Years' Eve game featuring bright orange Tuxedo Jerseys presented by Scoville Jewelers with part of the proceeds of the post-game jersey auction to benefit the WAIT House of Glens Falls; Welcoming Adolescents in Transition. The team will be looking extra snazzy as well as a bit outrageous for the special game. And you could end 2012 with your very own game-worn Phantoms jersey and the players will be there to sign the jerseys and congratulate the winning fans in the post-game auction.

Get your tickets in advance and save. Call the Phantoms at 518-480-3355.

Adirondack Phantoms 1 at Portland Pirates 2 - Status: Final
Saturday, December 29, 2012 - Androscoggin Bank Colisee

Adirondack 0 0 1 - 1
Portland 0 2 0 - 2

1st Period- No Scoring.Penalties-Louis Por (boarding), 3:52; Zolnierczyk Adk (hooking), 5:59; Rechlicz Por (cross-checking), 8:31; Akeson Adk (tripping), 9:02; Konan Adk (hooking), 15:44.

2nd Period-1, Portland, Gormley 3 (Stone, Klinkhammer), 1:39 (PP). 2, Portland, Stone 5 (Miele, Conner), 19:32 (PP). Penalties-Manning Adk (hooking), 1:28; Gormley Por (tripping), 4:52; Stone Por (interference), 10:55; Louis Por (boarding), 12:24; served by Testwuide Adk (bench minor - too many men), 18:19; Konan Adk (interference), 18:45.

3rd Period-3, Adirondack, Akeson 3 (Syvret, Schenn), 17:23 (PP). Penalties-served by FitzGerald Adk (bench minor - too many men), 3:13; Brophey Por (tripping), 6:58; Konan Adk (tripping), 14:16; Klinkhammer Por (tripping), 16:52; Visentin Por (delay of game), 17:10; Schenn Adk (cross-checking, roughing, roughing), 19:58; Miele Por (roughing, roughing), 19:58.

Shots on Goal-Adirondack 9-11-5-25. Portland 8-17-8-33.
Power Play Opportunities-Adirondack 1 / 9; Portland 2 / 9.
Goalies-Adirondack, Munroe 9-8-0 (33 shots-31 saves). Portland, Visentin 6-6-1 (25 shots-24 saves).
A-3,875
Referees-Geoff Miller (28).
Linesmen-Joe Andrews (32), Landon Bathe (80).

UPCOMING

Monday, December 31 (3:00) - Bridgeport Sound Tigers at Adirondack Phantoms. Traditional New Year's Eve Game in Glens Falls. Specialty Orange Tuxedo Jerseys. Post-Game Jersey Auction with the players live after the game.

Friday, January 4 (7:00) - Adirondack Phantoms at Connecticut Whale

Saturday, January 5 (7:00) - Connecticut Whale at Adirondack Phantoms. Phantoms drawstring backpacks for the first 1,000 kids in attendance presented by UniFirst.

Friday, January 11 (7:05) - Adirondack Phantoms at Binghamton Senators

Saturday, January 12 (7:05) - Adirondack Phantoms at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins


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