Event Spotlight:
Phantoms Rally For 3-2 Overtime Win Over Rochester
Philly Plays Team-Record Fifth Straight Overtime Game
Friday, November 16, 2001
By Joe Klueg
Philadelphia Phantoms Correspondent
John Slaney's power-play goal 48 seconds into overtime was the difference tonight at the First Union Spectrum as the Philadelphia Phantoms overcame a two-goal deficit to post a 3-2 victory over the visiting Rochester Americans.
Phantoms defenseman Dan Peters evened the score at 2-2 with 3:04 to play in regulation when his slap shot from just inside the blue line beat Americans goaltender Tom Askey stick side. Mark Greig and Petr Hubacek assisted on Peters' third goal of the season.
Rochester right wing Jaroslav Kristek was assessed a two-minute delay of game penalty with eight seconds left in the third period and the Phantoms took advantage in the extra session. After working the puck around, Greig found Slaney, who launched a line drive from straight on that found the back of the net for his seventh of the season.
Philadelphia, which was playing in its team-record fifth straight overtime game, improved to 2-1-2 when playing an extra period. The Phantoms are now 2-0-1 vs. Rochester this season and strengthened their hold as the AHL's top penalty-killing team by stopping all six Americans power-play opportunities.
Philadelphia had the first good scoring opportunity 2:24 into the game when Peter Vandermeer accepted a centering pass and skated in alone on Askey, but the left winger was stuffed from point-blank range. Just over four minutes later, Rochester threatened and scored as Norm Milley netted his first goal of the year off a crossing pass by Craig Charron.
The Americans doubled their lead 4:29 into the second period when Francois Mathot one-timed a feed from Jeremy Adduono over Philadelphia goaltender Maxime Ouellet's left shoulder. It was Mathot's fifth goal of the season.
Slaney had a pair of quality shots on goal during a 5-on-3 opportunity midway through the second period. Ouellet then stopped a 2-on-0 break with just over six minutes left and Jim Vandermeer came up empty after skating in on goal from center-ice at the 16:20 mark.
Philadelphia finally got on the board with 62 seconds remaining in the period following a high-sticking penalty on Adduono. Tiley registered the goal, his third of the year, on a low line drive from 25 feet out. Slaney and Mike Lephart picked up assists on the play.
The Phantoms are back in action on Saturday at 7:35 p.m., when they travel to take on the Syracuse Crunch. Philadelphia returns to the First Union Spectrum on Sunday at 5:05 p.m. to host the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. For ticket information, call 215-465-4522 or log on to www.phantomshockey.com.
Phantoms Notes: Hubacek returned to the Phantoms lineup after missing the last 10 games due to a broken finger. Defenseman Bruno St. Jacques was recalled by the Flyers earlier in the day. Right wing Pavel Bendl was reassigned by the Flyers and made his Phantoms debut. Following the game, goaltender Neil Little was recalled by the Flyers.
|
