WBS Penguins Gameday: Penguins vs. Phantoms

Last Game Recap:
The Penguins and the River Rats once again went to a shootout to decide the game, but this time; it was Albany who came out on top by a score of 5-4.

Konstantin Pushkarev scored at 9:50 to put the Penguins on top, but Jacob Micflikier scored a pair of goals 3:34 apart to give the Rats a 2-1 lead. It looked like that lead would last into the locker room, but Dustin Jeffrey tied the game at two with a goal at 19:34.

In the second, Albany took a 3-2 lead at 4:22 with a Steven Goertzen goal. This time, Albany’s lead held up for the remainder of the period, but Nick Johnson tied the game at 6:57. However, Albany answered back once again with a Nick Dodge goal at 7:22 to regain the lead. Just as it looked like the Pens would leave Times Union Center with zero points, Tim Wallace played hero for the second consecutive game and scored with 55 seconds left in regulation.

However, the Cardiac Penguins weren’t able to work their magic from Friday night’s game. Jeffrey was the only player successful in the shootout; while Drayson Bowman and Bryan Rodney converted for the River Rats to win the shootout 2-1.

Three Stars of the Game:
3. Nick Dodge (Albany): two points (1+1)
2. Tim Wallace (WBS): game tying goal
1. Jacob Micflikier (Albany): two goals

Scratches:
Casey Pierro-Zabotel
Steve Wagner
Eric Tangradi
Ryan Bayda
Keven Veilleux

WBS Record: 33-29-1-3 (70 points; fourth in East Division)

Scoreboard Watch: WBS is four points behind third place Norfolk for the final guaranteed playoff spot in the East Division. They are three points behind Bridgeport for the fourth and final playoff spot in the divisional playoffs. If Bridgeport, who is fifth place in the Atlantic, finishes with more points than the Penguins, Bridgeport will cross over and play in the East Division playoffs.

News and Notes:
The game marked the last trip to the Times Union Center for the Penguins during the River Rats’ franchise history. Albany will relocate next year to Charlotte, North Carolina; and the future of professional hockey in the city is unknown at this time.

Next Matchup:
Who: Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins vs. Adirondack Phantoms
When: Sunday, March 14, 2010 at 3:00 p.m.
Where: Glens Falls Civic Center (Glens Falls, NY)

Last Meeting Recap:
On Valentine's Day, Jesse Boulerice scored his third goal in two games and Zach Sill scored his second of the season to lead the Penguins to a 4-3 victory over the Phantoms. Phantoms captain Jared Ross attempted to generate some offense to send the game to overtime with a goal at 19:29, but Adirondack could not make up the extra goal. It was the Penguins' third consecutive win.

About the Phantoms:

NHL Affiliate: Philadelphia Flyers
ECHL Affiliate: Kalamazoo Wings

Key Statistics/Rank in AHL:
Record: 29-32-3-2 (63 points; sixth in East Division)
Power Play Home: 14.4% (25th)
Power Play Overall: 12.8% (29th)
Penalty Kill Home: 83.9% (14th)
Penalty Kill Overall: 82.8% (13th)

Goals For/Against: 160/196

Last Game: 4-0 win over Providence on Saturday night. Logan Stephenson and Mika Pyorala each had a two point game in the victory. Goaltender Jeremy Duchesne, currently on recall from the Kalamazoo Wings, made 28 saves to earn the shutout.

Ali's Analysis:
Although the Phantoms are weaker than the Penguins on paper, they have given the Pens many close games this year, and today probably won't be any exception. The Penguins did many things right against Albany yesterday, but must minimize their mistakes and provide support to their goaltending staff to ensure a better chance at victory. Their resilience these last two games has also been impressive, but today it is important to score the first goal and not let up from that point forward.

Posted in: AHL,game day,pregame,WBS Penguins