RATS

Phantoms Dealt 3-1 Loss In Albany

ALBANY, NY – The Philadelphia Phantoms were literally overpowered by the Albany River Rats on Saturday night, falling 3-1 at the Times Union Center in Albany. The River Rats benefited from 13 power plays, including three five-on-three advantages, and scored on the final two to earn the win.

The Rats opened the scoring 8:07 into the first period when Nicolas Blanchard came around behind the net from right to left, finishing with a wraparound backhand that beat Brian Boucher for the 1-0 lead.

The Phantoms equalized in the second period when Jesse Boulerice burned his old club for a goal just after a power play had come to an end. Oskars Bartulis let fly with a slapshot from the center point, and Boulerice, who had pitched a tent at the top of the crease, redirected the puck past Michael Leighton. Officially an even-strength goal, it tied the game at 2-2 with 11:39 remaining in the frame.

That score stood through most of the third period. But Albany jumped out to the 3-1 took a 3-1 lead on their 12th and 13th power play opportunities of the game, granted nearly back-to-back by referee Jamie Koharski. The two tallies came 62 seconds apart, at 14:44 and 15:46, with the first coming from Jerome Samson and the second from Brandon Nolan.

Leighton took the win with 19 saves on 20 Phantoms shots, while Boucher was hit with the loss with 29 saves on 32 Rats opportunities.

The Phantoms will close out the 2007 portion of their schedule on Monday night with a New Year’s Eve affair in Hershey. They’ll return to the Wachovia Spectrum in the New Year when they play host to the Lowell Devils on Friday, January 4 at 7:05 PM. Tickets are available at the Wachovia Complex box office, online at ComcastTIX.com or phantomshockey.com, or by phone at 1-800-298-4200.

Saturday, December 29, 2007