GLENS FALLS -- Midway through the third period, David Laliberte came over to line mate Jon Matsumoto to deliver a message:

"We're back."

And how. Their line was involved in each Adirondack goal as the Phantoms beat Hartford 3-2 in front of 4,062 spectators at the Glens Falls Civic Center to move into first place in the East Division.

"It's been a little frustrating throughout (this) year, because we know what we're capable of," said Matsumoto, who centers Laliberte and Pat Maroon.

What they're capable of is putting up big scoring numbers. The only line to return intact from last season, the three combined for 80 goals and 165 points.

But they started this year slow. Matsumoto was scoreless through the first five games before getting on the board in Sunday's win over Bridgeport.

Laliberte scored his first on Friday and had two assists. Matsumoto added a goal and an assist. Along with Maroon, they combined for seven points. This was the kind of performance they'd come to expect.

"It was pretty regular for us last year," Matsumoto said.

Now the trick is getting the rest of the lines rolling. The Matsumoto line was the only one to score.

"You can see the little intricacies in the way those three play together," Phantoms coach Greg Gilbert said. "They know where eachother is going to be, what they're looking for and how to execute things. We're looking to get those things out of all of our lines."

The one-goal win continued a remarkable streak at the Civic Center. It was the seventh consecutive AHL game in the building decided by one goal, and the tenth in the last 11 games.The record dates back to the 2007-08 season, when Albany played here occasionally. The newest tenants have fit right in with their habit of playing nail-biters.

Five of the Phantoms first seven games have been decided by a goal, and in another, they scored an empty-netter in the final minute to make it a two-goal game.

"That's the way the game is going now. It's more low-scoring," Gilbert said. "Unless a team has a great power play and capitalizes on that time after time."

The Phantoms are not yet that team. They came in just 4 for 26 with the man advantage. They converted on just 1 of 5, but it was a big one. Oskars Bartulis tipped in a shot from Laliberte on the power play to give the Phantoms a 3-1 lead in the second period.

After giving up the first goal in four of their first six games, the Phantoms took a 1-0 lead just 1:20 into the game. Maroon carried the puck deep, wrapping around behind the net and feeding a wide-open Laliberte in front.

Hartford tied it on a power play goal by P.A. Paranteau four minutes later, making it 1-1 after one.

Early in the second, Laliberte returned the gift he got on first goal, finding Matsumoto for a breakaway that he finished to give Adirondack a 2-1 lead 2:36 into the second period.

"We need people to lead us," Gilbert said. "Those guys gave us a good game tonight and led us to the win."

Loose pucks: Garrett Klotz, cut in a fight on opening night, had his first fight since ... Hartford defenseman Mathieu Dandenault, signed by the New York Rangers on Wednesday, was a scratch. Dandenault won three Stanley Cups and played 13 seasons in the NHL, including nine with Detroit. He played four games with Adirondack in 1995-96.

Hartford (2-5-0-0) 1 1 0 - 2

Adirondack (4-2-1-0) 1 2 0 - 3

First Period - 1. Adirondack, Laliberte (Maroon, Matsumoto), 1:20; 2. Hartford, Parenteau (Locke, Sanguinetti), 5:27 (pp). Penalties - Hartford, Soryal (fighting) 3:35; Adirondack, Klotz (fighting), 3:35; Adirondack, Clackson (holding), 3:56; Hartford, (bench minor - too many men), 10:24; Hartford, Hillier (tripping), 12:41; Adirondack, Laliberte (hooking), 14:14; Adirondack, Kolanos (cross-checking ); 19:58.

Second Period - 3. Adirondack, Matsumoto (Laliberte), 2:26; 4. Adirondack, Bartulis (Bourdon, Laliberte), 11:13 (pp); 5. Hartford, (Heikkinen, Locke), 13:14 (pp). Penalties - Hartford, Urquhart, (roughing) 4:49; Adirondack, Mormina (roughing) 4:49; Adirondack, Marshall (roughing), 4:49; Hartford, Paranteau (tripping), 9:44; Adirondack, Bartulis (interference), 13:05; Hartford, Locke (roughing), 19:20.

Third Period - none. Penalties - Adirondack, Curry (hooking), 5:22; Adirondack, Lehtivuori (interference), 13:13; Hartford, Byers (hooking), 17:16.

Shots on Goal - Hartford 10-7-11-28. Adirondack 13-9-5-27.

Power Play Opportunities - Hartford 2 of 6; Adirondack 1 of 5.

Goalies - Hartford, Johnson (27 shots-24 saves). Adirondack, Backlund (28 shots-26 saves).

Referee: Francis Charron.

A - 4,062