They were
bright, bold and outrageous. And the Phantoms'
alternative Dax Jerseys were also victorious in
a 2-1 triumph over the Binghamton Senators on
Dax's Birthday on Sunday evening. Matt Mangene
and Jon Sim scored on Dax's special day while
Cal Heeter racked up 30 saves including a couple
big point-blank stops.
Adirondack took to the ice wearing crazy green
and gold jerseys of their mascot Dax as they replaced
the regular Phantoms' logo for one day only with
the face of everyone's favorite giant, orange
beaver mascot. Perhaps the unusual look distracted
the visiting Senators, especially on their power
play. Adirondack's penalty kill was a big key
in the game as they held Binghamton to 0-for-6
including a late kill with 3:00 remaining as well
as a pair of extended 5-on-3's in the second period.
Cal Heeter had one of his top performances of
his rookie season with his 30-save gem on his
way to #1 Star of the Game honors.
"(Heeter) always comes out with great attention
and focus and compete and hard work," Head
Coach Terry Murray said. "Right now he's
starting to bring the other parts of the game
together. (Flyers Goalie Coach) Jeff Reese has
worked very hard with him and it's a process that
these young guys have to go through. His position
emotionally as far as being a pro player is in
the right stage."
One of Binghamton's 5-on-3 opportunities in the
second-period was for 1:45. And Adirondack's shorthanded
crew battled and scrapped their way through it
to maintain the 0-0 score at the time.
"It's tough," said Cal Heeter. "As
a team you have to work together with your defensemen.
Everyone's working hard and just making sure everyone's
doing their job. For me personally, it's my job
to clean up whatever does get through. Our team
did a great job all night shutting down their
options, blocking shots, taking away passing lanes.
To give up only a couple shots on those 5-on-3's
makes it really easy on me."
"When you can kill two 5-on-3 power-plays
like that, it's huge," Brandon Manning said.
"It turns things around and gives us a chance
to come back. It gives us a boost."
The Phantoms rushed back the other way on a power
play of their own just a couple minutes after
the first 5-on-3 kill and Matt Mangene sniped
from the right circle for his 3rd goal of the
season going five-hole on Marc Cheverie for a
1-0 lead just past the midway point of the game.
Jon Sim scored his second goal with Adirondack
and his eighth overall this year (previously with
San Antonio) to make it 2-0 early in the third
period. But Dustin Gazley converted on the rebound
of a Chris Wideman shot off the left-leg pad of
Heeter to make it a one-goal game again. It would
be the only goal the talented rookie from Ohio
State would surrender.
An exhausted Phantoms team who had arrived back
from their road-trip at 4:00 am was playing their
third game in three days and running on fumes
by the end of it. But they kept pushing to prevent
the Binghamton Senators from scoring the tying
goal and hung on for an exciting win to close
out the weekend.
During the game, fellow mascots from around the
region appeared on the ice and in the stands to
wish Dax a very Happy Birthday. He was presented
with a big birthday cake in the shape of a tub
of popcorn. And they all crammed into a limo and
then were brought out to the ice for an amusing
and ultra-competitive contest of musical chairs.
All-in-all, it was indeed a very Happy Birthday
for Dax who was thrilled with the team's exciting
win.
Adirondack is off until next weekend when they
play 3.5 games in 3 days. The Phantoms play a
doubleheader of sorts on Friday at Springfield
beginning at 6:05 with the completion of their
suspended game in the second period and then followed
by a full game. Adirondack returns home next Sunday
at 3:00 against the Albany Devils on Post-Game
Photo Night. Fans will be allowed onto the ice
for pics with their favorite Phantoms players
after the game. Call the Phantoms to order your
tickets and Sunday Family 3-Packs at 518-480-3355.
Cal Heeter Post-Game, Feb 24 2013
Terry Murray Post-Game Feb 24, 2013
Binghamton Senators 1 at Adirondack Phantoms
2 - Status: Final
Sunday, February 24, 2013 - Glens Falls Civic
Center
Binghamton 0 0 1 - 1
Adirondack 0 1 1 - 2
1st Period- No Scoring.Penalties-Blood Bng (holding),
4:54; Eckford Bng (slashing), 11:03; Prince Bng
(holding the stick), 15:35; Roe Adk (hooking),
18:41; Jessiman Bng (roughing, fighting), 19:59;
Eddy Adk (fighting), 19:59.
Shots on Goal-Binghamton 12-5-14-31. Adirondack
6-12-4-22.
Power Play Opportunities-Binghamton 0 / 6; Adirondack
1 / 6.
Goalies-Binghamton, Cheverie 2-3-0 (22 shots-20
saves). Adirondack, Heeter 8-12-1 (31 shots-30
saves).
A-3,127
Referees-Chris Brown (86), Jon McIsaac (45).
Linesmen-Mike Emanatian (69), Steeve Lemay (64).
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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