Hershey got the breaks early and were able to hang on to the end for a 3-0 victory over the Phantoms on Saturday night at Giant Center in Choclatetown. A first-period clear down the ice bounced off a metal stanchion and found its way into the Adirondack net. And Jon Sim's push into the Bears' goal for a potential equalizer was waved away by the referee on the ruling that he had kicked the puck.

It was a game where Adirondack simply dominated the play in stretches, particularly in the second period in which they outshot the Bears 20-5.

Phillip Grubauer recorded his first AHL shutout with a 40-save game. The 21-year-old prospect from Germany did allow the one puck to get past him but the decision on the ice was that the puck was kicked and video-review confirmed the ruling.

Sim's drive between the legs of Grubauer with 6:20 to go in the second period drew the protests of the 35-year-old NHL veteran who slammed his stick against the ice and then against the glass while screaming No at the referee who made the call.

Shortly after that key turning point with Hershey doing everything they could to hold off the hard Phantoms attack, Hershey would benefit from a power-play induced by former Phantom Matt Clackson. And on that power play another former Phantom, Ryan Potulny, would score his ex-teammate Scott Munroe and make it 2-0 in favor of the Bears.

So the waved-off goal stung especially hard. But Hershey had their own lucky bounce early to take the initial lead in the first place. Phantoms on the power play and Patrick McNeil clearing it along the boards all the way down the ice late in the first period. And then off the metal it went on the stanchion of the Hershey penalty-box door very close to the red-line. And from that crazy bounce it took a straight-line right into the center of the Phantoms' net and was rifled down too swiftly for Munroe to recover after he had left his crease to play a puck that everyone thought was heading for the corner.

Adirondack charged hard when they were down 1-0 and even when it was 2-0 in the dominant second period but they somehow found themselves down 2-0.

One of Grubauer's friends from Germany, Marcel Noebels of the Phantoms, almost scored earlier in the game but was denied late. Garrett Roe had a chance as well all alone going across and in front of the net but appeared to have it poked away before he could elevate the backhander. And the close-calls and near-misses continued as Grubauer gained confidence.

Another former Phantom would also have a goal waved off. Jon Kalinski of the Bears beat Munroe top-shelf but a whistle had blown an instant before the apparent goal early in the game. Kevin Marshall, Matt Clackson, Boyd Kane and Ryan Potulny are the five ex-Phantoms all on the Hershey roster.

Ryan Stoa circled out to the right-circle midway through the third period to score his 9th of the year beating Munroe top-shelf to close the scoring. And Hershey was able to secure the shutout for Grubauer from there.

Hershey went 2-for-7 on the power play while Adirondack was 0-for-5. The Phantoms outshot the Bears 40-25 in the game. The season series is now even at 1-game each. The Phantoms return to Giant Center on St. Patrick's Day for the last visit to Hershey.

The Phantoms are back in Glens Falls on Sunday evening at 5:00 against the Binghamton Senators on Dax's Big Birthday Bash featuring Dax Jerseys to be auctioned off after the game and a great mascot hockey game with Dax's friends. Sunday Family 3-Packs are available for the game as well for only $43. Call the Phantoms at 518-480-3355.



UPCOMING

Monday, February 25 (7:00) - Phantoms Power Hour on Q1017. With special player guests, Jason Akeson and Matt Mangene.

Friday, March 1 (6:05 and 7:30) - Adirondack Phantoms at Springfield Falcons. Completion of suspended game followed by full game.

Saturday, March 2 (7:00) - Adirondack Phantoms at Bridgeport Sound Tigers

Sunday, March 3 (3:00) - Albany Devils at Adirondack Phantoms. Sunday Family 3-Pack for only $43 offers exceptional value! Time Warner Cable Cup Rivalry Game #10.

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

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