This Week's Games

Friday, January 11 (7:05) - Adirondack Phantoms at Binghamton Senators
Saturday, January 12 (7:05) - Adirondack Phantoms at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins

Last Week's Scores

Friday, January 4 - Connecticut Whale 3 - Adirondack Phantoms 0
Saturday, January 5 - Adirondack Phantoms 2 - Connecticut Whale 1 (OT)

Upcoming Home Games

Friday, January 18 (7:00) - Albany Devils at Adirondack Phantoms: Presented by Glens Falls Plastic Surgery

Friday, January 25 (7:00) - Albany Devils at Adirondack Phantoms: Pink in the Rink Night.


Top Scorers Goals Assists Points
Brayden Schenn 13 20 33
Sean Couturier 10 18 28
Erik Gustafsson 3 11 14
Jason Akeson 3 10 13
Tye McGinn 9 4 13

Goalies W-L-OTL GAA SVS
Scott Munroe 9-8-0 2.59 .918
Cal Heeter 5-10-1 2.88 .906

Coming Up

The Adirondack Phantoms hit the road for a pair of games this weekend as they travel to the Binghamton Senators on Friday night and then follow that up with a Saturday night engagement at the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. And they're flying high after an overtime victory over Connecticut on Saturday night in front of a near-sellout crowd in Glens Falls.

Following the conclusion of the NHL lockout, the team is in a little bit of a holding pattern as they wait to learn of which players will be called up to the Philadelphia Flyers and then decide how many they will want to bring up from the Trenton Titans (ECHL). Brayden Schenn and Sean Couturier will receive the call soon. And others will also follow to at least be a part of the abbreviated training camp and try to earn their way onto the roster.

It's an exciting time for hockey. In the meantime, it's also an exciting time for the Phantoms who will be showing a slightly new lineup in the next few days. The opportunity will be open for some of the team's players to step into big roles.

After this weekend on the road, the Phantoms will return to the Glens Falls Civic Center for back-to-back Friday games on January 18 and January 25.


Thanks Brayden and Sean!

The exciting news that the NHL lockout has finally come to a close will also have an impact on the Adirondack Phantoms. It has been a treat for fans in the North Country to get to enjoy the highest caliber of hockey ever seen in Glens Falls while some of these tremendous NHL talents filled our roster.

And what a way it was for them to salute the area! A wild celebration of Sean Couturier's overtime goal on Saturday night will be a lasting memory for everyone in the near-sellout crowd who was on hand for the exciting capper to his time with the Phantoms.

The 20-year-old talent now prepares to return to the Philadelphia Flyers after his three months with Adirondack where his Dad had played when Sean was just a baby. Sean's first ever hockey game he attended came when his Dad, Sylvain Couturier, played for the Adirondack Red Wings in 1992.

Brayden Schenn also will return to the Flyers where he will join older brother, Luke, and get to play on the same team for the first time in their lives. Schenn tallied 13 goals and 20 assists for 33 points in exactly as many games as the Phantoms' scoring leader. Some of his highlights included a hat trick on November 14 at the Manchester Monarchs against the team that traded him as well as a fantastic shorthanded goal on Opening Night in Glens Falls.

"Kind of like this area, it's got that feel to it," Schenn said. "Kind of near the woods or up north in Saskatchewan. Living in Saratoga was good. And me and Welly (Eric Wellwood) bunked in together. It was good playing in front of the fans here and always fun."

AHL in Glens Falls for 25th Season

The Phantoms and the City of Glens Falls were pleased to announce last week the acceptance of the lease option to bring back American League Hockey to Glens Falls for the 2013-14 season. The Adirondack Phantoms will hit the ice once again this October and the team's season ticket and sponsorship renewal drive will be getting underway soon.

The Phantoms also graciously agreed to make way and relinquish their lease option should the city find a long-term tenant for the next season.

The mission continues. “There is still work to be done by both sides as we get ready for the 2013-14 season,” Phantoms owner Rob Brooks said. “The Phantoms organization needs to grow the ticket and corporate base to a level that is enticing to another AHL team and the city needs to continue to market the Glens Falls area to prospective AHL organizations.”

Thank You, Fans!

The Phantoms are proud to announce the total donation from the Tuxedo Jersey auction on December 31. $6950.91 will be presented to the WAIT House of Glens Falls; Welcome Adolescents in Transition. The organization helps homeless youth in Warren and Washington Counties. The crazy and outrageous orange tuxedo jerseys were presented by Scoville Jewelers. A few days after the game, the story was picked up by national media and was featured on CNN Headline News.

Phantoms in the Community

Jason Akeson and Tye McGinn met some pretty amazing kids at the Albany Children's Hospital on Tuesday evening. They brightened the days for many of the youth there who are battling various illnesses. Jason Akeson said on twitter: "Happy to be a part of something very special and humbling. #greatkids #bigsmiles"




Phantoms Week in Review

Friday, January 4 - Connecticut Whale 3 - Adirondack Phantoms 0

It was not the best way to start 2013 as the Phantoms were sunk by the Whale in Hartford. Cam Talbot had a 25-save shutout effort for the New York Rangers' affiliate.

Trailing 1-0 in the second period, a shorthanded rush for Adirondack by Harry Zolnierczyk and Sean Couturier ended up backfiring and resulting in a power play goal back the other way for Connecticut in possibly the turning point of the game.

Brandon Segal scored early in the game. Chad Kolarik tallied the second-period power-play goal. And Tommy Grant finished the scoring late in the third period to seal the victory.

Zack FitzGerald dealt a huge hit on Ryan Bourque in the third period that sparked a fight and would eventually earn him a game misconduct for charging.

Phantoms goalie Cal Heeter was terrific albeit in the loss. But he made a ton of great saves to keep the Phantoms within striking distance and was the team's best player on the night.

20-year-old Marcel Noebels from Germany made his Adirondack debut and centered a line with Harry Zolnericzyk and Jason Akeson.


Saturday, January 5 - Adirondack Phantoms 2 - Connecticut Whale 1 (OT)

Sean Couturier made quite the impression in his last game in Glens Falls! His overtime winner triggered an awesome celebration for a scene that will not soon be forgotten by the near-sellout crowd of 4,634 attending.

The first home game of 2013 was a doozy. Lots of excitement as things turned into a bit of a track-meet at times with great scoring chances.

Adirondack hit the post twice in the third period in their efforts to keep the game from going into overtime. Danny Syvret struck the iron on his blast from the right-point. And Couturier had almost won it earlier as well when his left-circle shot found the post too.

But Couturier would just have to save the bigger and more dramatic goal for later as he cranked his 4-on-3 power-play blast from the right circle on a slide over by Danny Syvret following a clean faceoff win by Brayden Schenn.

Cal Heeter dove and scrambled and made a number of fine saves on his performance. Only a video-review of a puck that ha barely crossed the goal-line by Chad Kolarik kept Heeter from recording his first professional shutout. The rookie from Ohio State would have to settle for his first Glens Falls Civic Center victory instead.

Tye McGinn had scored early in the first period to set the initial tone for the Phantoms and get them off to the fast start. Rookie center Ian Slater wore #12 as he made his Adirondack Phantoms debut after being called up from Trenton (ECHL) the day before.

The game-winning goal is pictured below.

Saratoga Spine Phantoms Player of the Week - Sean Couturier

Sean Couturier is once again our Saratoga Spine Player of the Week.

He concluded his three-month stay with the Adirondack Phantoms in style with his big blast for an overtime game-winner on Saturday night. Just a few hours later, the official news was unveiled that the NHL lockout truly was over.

Couturier will be on his way back to Philadelphia to light it up for the Flyers. But in his time with Adirondack he scored 10 goals in the very same building where he attended his first hockey game! Sean was three months old when his Dad, Sylvain, played for the Adirondack Red Wings in 1992.


Syvret's 500th

Veteran defenseman Danny Syvret is scheduled to play his 500th career game this Friday night at the Binghamton Senators. Congratulations, Danny!

The 27-year-old alternate captain of the Phantoms has currently played in 440 AHL games and 59 NHL games. A total of 202 of those games have been with the Phantoms and the Flyers and this Friday will be his 203rd. He has suited up for the Phantoms 175 times.

Syvret's first season came with the Hamilton Bulldogs in 2005-06 and in that same year he made his NHL debut with the Edmonton Oilers. He professional journey has also taken him to AHL stops in Springfield, Hershey, Syracuse and Peoria.

His first NHL goal came on January 1, 2010 in the NHL Winter Classic at Fenway Park in Boston as a member of the Flyers.




Key Team Stats

- The Phantoms are 6-1-0 when leading after two periods. They are 7-3-1 when tied after two.
- Adirondack is 11-6-1 when they score at least one power play goal.
- The Phantoms are 10-1-1 when they score 3 or more goals
- The Phantoms are 11-7-2 on all "non-Fridays."
- The Phantoms are 2-1 in overtimes and are 2-1 in shootouts for a combined 4-2 in games decided after regulation. Three of their four post-regulation wins have come against Syracuse.
- 7 of the Phantoms wins have come when they have held the opponents to 0 or 1 goals.


Upcoming Opponents

Binghamton Senators, 21-8-3 (Ottawa Senators)

The Binghamton Senators have the second-most points in the AHL and are one of the surprise teams in the AHL this season. This is third of eight games between the Phantoms and B-Sens this year and it is Adirondack's second visit to the Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena.

The last time the Phantoms visited Binghamton the game would be marred by a big line-brawl in the second period that included three ejections for each side.

Binghamton was on a 4-game win streak until last Sunday when they fell to Albany 5-2. The Senators had a 9-game winning streak from November 10 through November 23 which is the longest in the AHL this season.

Record - 21-8-3
Division - 2nd place (East Division)
Home Arena - Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena
Head Coach - Luke Richardson (1st Season)
Offense - 3.25, 6th (out of 30)
Defense - 2.5, 3rd (out of 30)
Power Play - 16.4%, 16th
Penalty Kill - 88.3%, 2nd

Head Coach Luke RIchardson - Former Philadelphia Flyer defenseman at the bench for Binghamton for his first season as head coach. Had played for Philly for five seasons from 1997-98 through 2001-02. Also played for Toronto, Edmonton, Columbus, Tampa Bay, Ottawa in 20 year career from 1987-88 through 2008-09 amassing 1,417 games. 26th all-time in NHL in games played. Had been assistant coach with Ottawa last three seasons.

Jakob Silfverberg - 13-15-28. 22-year-old rookie from Gavle, Sweden leads B-Send in scoring. Round 2, #39 overall in 2009 NHL draft.

Andre Benoit - 9-14-23. Defenseman second on the team in points. Captain. Played with Moscow Spartak KHL last year. In 2010-11 had 11-44-55 for B-Sens and also played 8 games for Ottawa.

Mike Hoffman - 9-12-21. Third year pro had 21-28-49 last year. Former teammates with Sean Couturier with Drummondville (QMJHL) in 2008-09 when Couturier was only 15.

Robin Lehner - 13-5-1, 1.94, .944. The 21-year-old goalie from Sweden has been leading the way for the Senators. 2nd in AHL and 1st in Eastern Conference with 1.94 goals against average. Tied with Barry Brust of Abbotsford (and former Binghamton Senator) for league lead in saves percentage at .944.


Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, 15-16-3 (Pittsburgh Penguins)

It's the first of four this season for the AHL affiliates of the fierce NHL rival Philadelphia Flyers and Pittsburgh Penguins. Next week on January 19 it is anticipated that the parent clubs will square off on NHL Opening Night.

It's been a topsy-turvy season for the Penguins who struggled out of the gate at 0-4-0 and then went on a bit of a tear and a rapid rise up the standings as they improved to 13-7-0 including a 5-game win streak to end November. But since that streak it has all gone south for the Penguins as they have won only 2 out of their last 14 with a 2-9-3 record in that span.

Record: 15-16-3
Division - 4th place (East Division)
Arena - Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza
Head Coach - John Hynes (3rd Season)
Offense - 2.4, 25th
Defense - 2.65, 10th
Power Play - 13.6%, 24th
Penalty Kill - 86.9%, 3rd

Head Coach John Hynes - 3rd season with Penguins after 6 seasons as head coach of the USA National Team Development Program.

Beau Bennett - 6-17-23. Leads Penguins in points. Round 1, #20 overall in 2010. Rookie season out of University of Denver.

Trevor Smith - 11-10-21. Leads team in goals. Veteran LW since 2006-07 with Bridgeport, Syracuse, Springfield, Norfolk. Also 23 NHL games with Tampa Bay and New York Islanders. 26-43-69 last year with Calder Cup champion Norfolk Admirals.

Ben Ferriero - 4-14-18. Joins Pengins this year after 3 seasons with Sharks organization. 92 NHL games.

Eric Tangradi - 10-7-17. Philadelphia native was Anaheim 2nd round pick in 2007. 15-16-31 with WBS last year and also played in 24 NHL games with PIttsburgh scoring 0 goals. Has 15+ goals in each of last three seasons with WBS.

Jeff Zatkoff - 11-11-0, 2.22, .912. Superior play has surprisingly earned him the #1 spot on the team ahead of former AHL Goalie of the Year Brad Thiessen. Miami (Ohio) product played with Manchester the last three seasons. Last year was 21-17-1, 2.49, .920 with the Monarchs.


Transaction

The Phantoms made a number of transactions last week and certainly have a bunch more on tap in the next few days.

January 2 - Shane Harper (RW) reassigned to Trenton (ECHL)
January 3 - Ian Slater (C) reassigned to Adirondack from Trenton (ECHL)
January 3 - Blake Kessel (D) reassigned to Adirondack from Trenton (ECHL)

UPCOMING

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

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

Monday, January 14 (7:00) - Phantoms Power Hour LIVE on Q101.7. Guest: Zack FitzGerald!

Friday, January 18 (7:00) - Albany Devils at Adirondack Phantoms. Presented by Glens Falls Plastic Surgery.

Saturday, January 19 (7:00) - Adirondack Phantoms at Worcester Sharks

Sunday, January 20 (4:00) - Adirondack Phantoms at Albany Devils (at Atlantic City, NJ)

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