Big Bounces Boost Binghamton
December 17, 2011 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Adirondack Phantoms News Release
Binghamton benefited from some friendly bounces while Adirondack found a difficult time finding more than their early assistance and the Senators won a Friday night contest over the Phantoms 3-1 at the Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena.
At first, it looked like a night in which the bounces were going to go Adirondack's way. Ben Holmstrom's long dump-in from the red-line on the right-wing boards caught Binghamton goalie Mike McKenna off-guard and snuck in just three minutes into the game staking the visitors to the initial 1-0 advantage.
David Dziurzynksi got it back for the Seantors midway through the first period sniping one from the left circle over Leighton's left shoulder and off the underside of the top of the net.
After that, another goaltenders' duel, typical of Phantoms contests recently, would develop. With Michael Leighton and Mike McKenna both on top of their games. The 1-1 deadlock would persist until the final period.
Rob Klinkhammer drove to the Phantoms' net on a feed by reigning league MVP Corey Locke and fired it off Leighton's shoulder. The puck went upwards off Leighton's shoulder and landed behind him and just past the goal-line before defenseman Oliver Lauridsen could get there to dig it away. The early third-period tally giving the Senators a 2-1 lead would prove to be the game-winner.
Adirondack had some chances throughout the night including a shot by Jason Akeson in the first period that appeared to hit off the post after perhaps deflecting off McKenna's leg. Ben Holmstrom would slam one off the post as well in the closing minutes of the contest.
Rookie defenseman Brandon Manning, who had just be cleared to join the team a couple weeks earlier, blasted away with several big slapshots from the right point. During one second period sequence, he had three shots on just one shift while Adirondack had the Senators defenders pinned in their zone. But none of the blasts were able to break through and the Chilliwack Bruins (WHL) product is still seeking his first professional goal.
Binghamton defenseman Eric Gryba fired a slapshot from the right point with 2:33 remaining that was deflected en route by Stephane de Costa to hop one past Leighton for some late Senators breathing room in the 3-1 final.
McKenna was superb on the night while also receiving a little assistance from the posts behind him at a couple of opportune time. The former Albany Devils and Norfolk Admirals goalie turned away 33 of 34 Phantoms drives for the win.
The game was virtually penalty free. with the vast majority of the action taking place five-on-five. Adirondack was 0-for-1 on the power play and Binghamton went 0-for-2.
Binghamton ended a four game losing streak with the decision as they became the last team in the AHL to record their 10th win of the year. The defending AHL champions have been besieged by injuries as well as call-ups.
The game was the opener of a three-in-three stretch for the Phantoms which will see the team travel to Syracuse for a Saturday night contest and then conclude the weekend with a Sunday afternoon home game against Binghamton again.
The Phantoms fell to 14-10-2 overall and 6-7-1 on the road.
Adirondack held steady in second place in the Northeast Division as all three teams chasing them in the standings also lost their games on Friday. But the Phantoms lost ground on first place Connecticut who won on Friday. Adirondack now trails the Connecticut Whale by five points in the divisional race but Adirondack also holds a game-on-hand advantage. Adirondack travels to Hartford, Conn. for a game with the first place Whale next Wednesday.
The Phantoms were without Tom Sestito who was called up to the Philadelphia Flyers earlier in the week. Sestito is expected to make his Flyers debut on Saturday afternoon against the Boston Bruins. Last year, he played in nine NHL games with the Columbus Blue Jackets scoring two goals.
Veteran defenseman Andreas Lilja joined the Phantoms on a conditioning assignment as he recovers from a recent lower-body injury. Lilja wore number 29 and was paired with rookie defenseman Brandon Manning for much of the evening. The 36-year-old from Sweden has played in 20 games with Philadelphia this year. He played with the Detroit Red Wings from 2005-10 and also has played with Los Angeles and Florida since 2000 for a total of 550 games on his NHL career.
The game was the 994th in the professional career of Denis Hamel who is slated to achieve the 1,000 game milestone on New Year's Eve against the Albany Devils.
Scratches for the Phantoms included Johan Backlund, Eric Wellwood and Oskars Bartulis.
Upcoming Events
Saturday, December 17, 7:30 - Phantoms at Syracuse Crunch
Sunday, December 18, 3:00 - Binghamton Senators at Phantoms. Sunday Family 3-Pack for only $39. 3 tickets, 3 sodas, 3 hot dogs, 1 large popcorn, 1 program. A savings of $26. Add extra fans to your 3-pack for only $13 per fan! Also a post-game open-skate with Phantoms players courtesy of Glens Falls Hospital.
Monday, December 19, 7:00 - Phantoms Power Hour LIVE from McGinny's. Player guests Jon Kalinski and Andy Thomas and also Tim McManus from the Post-Star
Wednesday, December 21, 7:00 - Phantoms at Connecticut Whale
Wednesday, December 28, 7:00 - Binghamton Senators at Phantoms. Pups and Pucks! Bring your pet to the game! Also $1 hot dogs.
Phantoms Holiday Socks are on sale now. $49 package for 4 tickets to a premium Phantoms game, an autographed puck, a program, all in a game-worn Phantoms hockey sock. $59 for an autographed stick with the 4 premium game tickets and game-worn Phantoms hockey sock.
Catch all the action of Phantoms hockey all season long on the team's flagship station, Classic Hits Q101.7 and on phantomshockey.com. Bob Rotruck has the broadcast coverage 30 minutes prior to game-time with Countdown to Faceoff.
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American Hockey League Stories from December 17, 2011
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- Rivermen Sign Radja, Edwards to PTO - Peoria Rivermen
- Blackhawks Assign Smith - Rockford IceHogs
- Barons Game Notes - December 17 - Oklahoma City Barons
- Big Bounces Boost Binghamton - Adirondack Phantoms
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