DEUCE

Munroe Answers Shutout With Shutout; Phantoms Even Series With 3-0 Win

PHILADELPHIA – Scott Munroe returned the volley that Michael Leighton served in Game 1, making 18 saves to post a shutout of his own as the Philadelphia Phantoms beat the Albany River Rats 3-0 in Game 2 of the East Division Semifinals on Friday night at the Wachovia Center. The win ties the series at one game apiece heading into Sunday afternoon’s Game 3, also at the Wachovia Center, at 5:05.

The Phantoms finally scored their first goal of the series 13:27 into the second period of the contest. With Kiel McLeod in the box for a high-sticking major, Jared Ross breezed into the zone down the left wing, took a pass from Stefan Ruzicka and blasted a slapshot from the left circle that went through the pads of the previously impenetrable Leighton, giving Philadelphia its first lead at 1-0.

With just 12.9 seconds remaining in the second period, Pete Zingoni gave the Phantoms a 2-0 lead with an outstanding individual effort. After Albany won a faceoff in their own end, he pried the puck free from the defenseman who possessed it and, while toppling over, shot it past Leighton for the two-goal advantage.

Boyd Kane celebrated his 30th birthday with an empty-netter to ice the win late in the third period.

Munroe’s no-no came after Leighton blanked the Phantoms in a 4-0 win in Game 1 on Wednesday night in Albany. It’s Munroe’s first playoff win in addition to his first playoff shutout. The Phantoms outshot the Rats 40-18, with Leighton stopping 37 of the 39 shots he faced. It was Philadelphia's 14th consecutive home playoff win dating back to the 2004 East Division Finals.

The series resumes on Sunday, April 20 when the two clubs stage Game 3 at the Wachovia Center at 5:05 PM. It then returns to Albany for Game 4 on Tuesday, April 22 and Game 5 on Thursday, April 24. Game 6, if necessary, would be at the Wachovia Center on Saturday, April 26, while the date and time of Game 7 has yet to be determined.

Tickets for Games 3 and 6 at the Wachovia Center are available at the Wachovia Complex box office, online at ComcastTIX.com or phantomshockey.com, or by phone at 1-800-298-4200.

Friday, April 18, 2008