10-9-10 Phantoms @ Albany: Phantoms 5, Devils 3, plus weekend wrap-up

I wasn't able to watch the Phantoms/Albany tilt live. However, I was pleased to see that we've earned the first win of the season, defeating Albany 5-3.

Here is the coverage of Saturday's games in The Post-Star:

Phantoms' efforts pay off in victory
Phantoms Forum: Phantoms 5, Devils 3 (FINAL)
Phantoms Forum: Postgame: Phantoms 5, Albany 3

Here is the box score from the AHL's site.

10-08-10 Phantoms at Binghamtom: Senators 5, Phantoms 1

From the Phantoms Facebook page:

Phantoms fall at Binghamton 5-1 in season opener. Great game for Johan Backlund in goal. Patrick Maroon scores first Adirondack goal of the year on the power play easily slamming in the nice cross-ice feed from Dan Jancevski. Next up: At the Albany Devils Saturday night at 7. Just 7 days away until the Phantoms Home Opener!

I did get to watch the entire game online; however, the audio was glitched for both the Adirondack and Binghamton feeds. So all of the fans who were logged in to AHL Live watched the game sans play-by-play until a little while after the midpoint of the game.

I haven't yet seen the box score, nor the stars of the game. However, I can say that Johan Backlund should have had a star, five goals-against notwithstanding. The Phantoms' teamwide youth (average age 22.8 years) really showed itself tonight, as there were lengthy stretches when the only Phantom touching the puck was the goaltender. We were massively outshot, and there were some parts of the game when even though the teams were even strength, the appearance was that the Senators were on the power play.

Though we did give up three PP goals, I can say that I was pleased to see the Phantoms kill off a full two-minute 5-on-3 PK. So that, and Backlund's performance in the game, were bright spots.

I am still concerned that Backlund's hip is still not quite in top form yet. The Senators got a wraparound goal, going around behind the net after Backlund made an excellent save on one post, and firing it in the open side of the net. Backlund just couldn't make the lateral move quickly enough. Mind you, a lot of goalies might have had a challenge going post-to-post on that particular goal. But the way Backlund moved made me think that his hip was among the reasons he couldn't get over there as quickly as he'd have liked. One thing's for sure -- his hip, and everything else, got quite the workout during this game. He'll be able to make a long report to the trainer on how the hip felt when he put it through its paces.

CLICK HERE for the box score from tonight's game.
CLICK HERE for The Post-Star's Phantoms blog post for the game.
CLICK HERE for The Post-Star's postgame blog post.
CLICK HERE for the game article from The Post-Star.


The Phantoms play in Albany on Saturday at 7 PM.

Phantoms vs. Hamilton Bulldogs 12-18-09: Postgame

There were a lot of instances of the number 4 in this game. Hamilton went into the game with a league-leading four shutouts, and incremented that total by blanking the Phantoms 4-0. It was the fourth time this season that the Phantoms have been shut out.

This game marked John Grahame's debut with the Phantoms. He gave up a goal that he'd probably like to have back on the first shot of the game. Then, near the end of the period, Hamilton scored shorthanded on an odd-man rush that Grahame had no chance on whatsoever. The score remained 2-0 until late in the third period. Unfortunately, my flipping video stream went kaput at the start of the third period, so I saw nothing of the final frame, and eventually reverted to listening to the radio stream. So I never saw the third or fourth goals against; I do know, from the play-by-play, however, that the final goal deflected in off one of our defenders, so that sounds like another one that the netminder had no opportunity to stop.

I can't believe how much trouble this team has had scoring this season. I watched several of the guys who were on the team last season score goals in bunches -- now those same guys are, by and large, wringing sawdust (or composite dust, I guess) out of their sticks trying to find the back of the net. Maybe what some of them should do is look at videos of their goals from last season. If doing that gives them even a few small hints as to what they were doing when scoring wasn't at a premium, then it will be time well-spent.

Anyway... here are the relevant links for the game.

HERE is the box score on the AHL site.

HERE and HERE are the entries on the Post-Star Phantoms blog.

HERE is the Post-Star's coverage of the game.

HERE is the Phantoms site's game article.

Tonight, the Phantoms play in Worcester. It will be our second and final time meeting the Sharks this season; our first time was the heartbreaker of a last-minute loss at the Phantoms' home opener. Freaking Worcester scored with 11 seconds left to win that game. Time for some REVENGE. Go Phantoms!

Phantoms at Binghamton Senators, 11-26-09: Postgame

Um, OUCH. Wow, the Phantoms had a rough go of it in Bingo, losing 7-0 to the Senators on Thanksgiving night.

I'll get the postgame coverage in here during the weekend.

In the meantime, in Friday afternoon's Flyers game, Jared Ross was injured because of a check from behind. Jonathon Kalinski was recalled from the Phantoms. He'll join the Flyers in Atlanta on Saturday.

The Phantoms have the second of a 3-games-in-3-nights on Friday night at home vs. the Hershey Bears, followed by a game on Saturday vs. the Bears in Hershey.

Phantoms at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins: Postgame

Neither the Flyers nor the Phantoms had a good day, as they both came out on the wrong end of 3-1 scores on the road. In the Phantoms' case, the opposing team was the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.

HERE is the box score from the AHL's site.

There aren't Post-Star blog posts about the game but HERE is the game article from the Post-Star.

HERE is the game recap from the Phantoms site.

Phantoms vs. Toronto Marlies, 11-18-09; Postgame

Revenge is a dish best served cold, as they say. This time, it was served on ice. The Phantoms were shut out by the Marlies when the teams met in Toronto recently. Tonight, the Phantoms returned the favor and shut the Marlies out 2-0 3-0 in Glens Falls.

HERE is the box score from the AHL's site.

HERE and HERE are the Post-Star's blog posts about the game.

HERE is the game article from the Post-Star.

HERE is the game recap from the Phantoms site.

Phantoms vs. Bridgeport Sound Tigers, 11-14-09: Postgame

Well! This was a nice bit of good news. Not only did the Phantoms win the game 3-2, but Nic Riopel chalked up his first professional win into the bargain. WTG, Phantoms!

(I *still* don't like shootouts, but I do like wins so I'll take the two points.)

HERE is the box score from the AHL's site.

HERE and HERE are the Post-Star's blog posts about the game.

HERE is the game article from the Post-Star.

HERE is the game recap from the Phantoms site.

Phantoms vs. Binghamton Senators, 11-13-09: Postgame

Ouch. The Phantoms had a rough go of it at home on Friday the 13th. It was a "we must have walked under a ladder while breaking a mirror and spilling salt" sort of night. Binghamton clobbered us 5-0. I was hardly online at all during the day, so the pregame post never got sent. However, here's all the postgame news that's fit to print, so to speak:

HERE is the box score on the AHL's site.

HERE is the game article from the Post-Star.

HERE and HERE are the blog posts from the Post-Star Phantoms blog.

HERE is the game recap on the Phantoms site.

Phantoms @ Albany River Rats, 11-7-09: Postgame

HERE is the box score on the AHL's site.

HERE is the game article from the Post-Star.

HERE is the post on the Post-Star Phantoms blog.

HERE is the game recap on the Phantoms website.

Phantoms @ Bridgeport Sound Tigers, 11-04-09: Postgame

Well, THAT turned into a nice comeback win. The Phantoms scored three unanswered goals in the third period to take a 4-2 victory. :)

HERE is the box score on the AHL's site.

HERE and HERE are game articles from the Post-Star.

HERE is the post on the Post-Star Phantoms blog.

HERE is the game recap on the Phantoms website.

Phantoms vs. Syracuse Crunch, 11-01-09: Postgame

HERE is the box score from the AHL's website.

HERE is the game article from the Post-Star.

HERE, HERE and HERE is the coverage on the Post-Star's Phantoms blog.

HERE is the game recap from the Phantoms website.

Phantoms vs. Syracuse Crunch, 11-01-09: YEAH!!! Matsumoto scores SH Penalty Shot goal!

I am doing the Mummer's Strut in my dining room, as Jon Matsumoto just scored on a penalty shot during a Phantoms penalty kill. 2-0 Good Guys! :)

P.S. Unless I've lost the ability to count, THIS box score is showing that we have only got 17 skaters dressed. The flu is running rampant through the locker room.

Phantoms @ Toronto Marlies 10-30-09: Postgame

(This post will be brought up-to-date as the content I plan to link to becomes available.)

HERE is the box score for this game from the AHL's site.

HERE is the game article from the Post-Star site.

HERE and HERE are the game coverage from the Post-Star's Phantoms blog.

HERE is the game recap from the Phantoms website.

Phantoms @ Toronto Marlies 10-30-09: First Period

This game's box score can be found HERE on the AHL's site.

Legein is replacing Laliberte, who has been called up, on the Matsumoto line. Riopel is starting, with the called-up Teslak as backup. Backlund is sick. Flu is hitting both the Phantoms & Marlies

We give up the first goal as the forward Hamilton cashes in his own rebound.

At the time of the second TO goal, we are being outshot 12-3. Not what any of us had in mind, I'm sure. :(

Rob Bellamy is in his first game of the season after being injured in training camp. Logan Stephenson is in the lineup, following the loss of Randy Jones on recall waivers.

We have also been assessed the first two penalties of the game. Dingle got two nice SH scoring chances.

At the end of the first period, TO leads 2-0 and is outshooting the Phantoms 14-4.

Phantoms at Albany River Rats, 10-24-09, Postgame

HERE is the box score of this game from the AHL's site.

HERE and HERE are the posts from the Phantoms blog on the Post-Star site.

HERE is the game article from the Post-Star site.

HERE is the game recap from the Phantoms' site.

Here are the video links to the fights during the game:

Phantoms vs. Hartford Wolfpack, 10-23-09, Postgame

HERE is the link to the game box score on the AHL site.

HERE and HERE are the posts on the Phantoms blog on the Post-Star site.

HERE is the article about the game from the Post-Star.

HERE is the game recap from the Phantoms site.

And HERE is the Klotz-Soryal fight:

Phantoms @ Bridgeport Sound Tigers, 10-18-09, Postgame

HERE is the box score for the game from the AHL's site.

HERE is the article from the Post-Star site.

HERE is the coverage from the Post-Star's Phantoms blog.

HERE is the game recap from the Phantoms website.

And here is a fight between Matt Clackson and Joel Rechlicz, which I apparently missed during those first few minutes when I was trying to establish an internet connection:

Phantoms vs. Hershey Bears, 10-16-09, Postgame

HERE is the Post-Star's coverage of the Phantoms/Bears game.

HERE and HERE are the game-related posts on the Post-Stars Phantoms blog.

HERE is the game recap on the Phantoms website.

HERE is the box score on the AHL's site. I see that the first star, deservedly, is Johan Backlund, with the other two stars going to the Phantoms goal scorers.

I can't say enough good things about how the Phantoms withstood Hershey's offensive pressure last night. In particular, the team stood tall when we were at a one-man disadvantage, both while killing penalties, and near the game's end when the Bears had the goalie pulled for the extra attacker. It started with the goaltender Backlund, which is only natural as a team's success starts with the goalie and moves outward from there. However, the rest of the team deserves to share credit for their good work, especially while playing outnumbered. Given the propensity that AHL referees have for calling a lot of infractions, keeping pucks out of the net while shorthanded is something that we, and all teams, have got to master. Last night's results show that we are capable of holding fast under those conditions.

On to our next game, at home vs. Albany tonight. We and the River Rats have special jerseys that will be worn for all the Adirondack/Albany contests this year, and those sweaters will debut tonight.

GO PHANTOMS!

Phantoms vs. Hershey Bears, 10-16-2009, Pregame and First Period

I tuned in a bit late, as I had some difficulty getting connected. However, so far the first period is scoreless with 3:23 remaining in the first period. Then, once I did get online, I spent the first few minutes battling with video feed that repeatedly froze and buffered.

In any event, not only is the period scoreless, it appears to be penalty-free as well. That surprised me, as the official in question has also had games where he has called every miniscule thing. (See: the Phantoms/Bears elimination game in Round 1 last spring. He reffed that game, as well.)

The first period is now over, and from what I could see of it once the video revived, tbe action was well-balanced and the goalies put on a nice show. The score is currently 0-0, and no infractions have been called yet. SOG are even at 6-6.

The scratches are Dingle, Kolanos, Bellamy, Lehtivuori, Stephenson. (So both veterans who recently were absent from the lineup due to births in their respective families have returned to the lineup.)

The starters were Jones, Bourdon, Kaspar, Kalinski, Beaulieu, Backlund.

HERE is the link to tonight's box score on the AHL site.

HERE is Tim McManus's blog entry, which is being updated during the game, from the Post-Star's site.

Phantoms @ Syracuse Crunch, 10-10-2009, Postgame

Unfortunately, my attempt to listen to the online stream was an abject failure, as I couldn't get the darn stream to cooperate until halfway through the third period.

However, as the final score was Syracuse 6, Phantoms 1, it doesn't take a Sherlock Holmes to infer that the Phantoms had a rough go of it tonight. Ouch.

For more information:

HERE is the box score on the AHL site.

HERE is the game blog on the Post-Star site.

HERE is game article on the Post-Star site.

HERE is the coverage of the game from oursportscentral.com.

HERE is the game recap on the Phantoms website.

And here are some YouTube videos of Matt Clackson's two fights: