Phantoms' Marshall scores decisive goal in win
GLENS FALLS -- Kevin Marshall calls himself a stay-at-home defenseman. The kind of guy who enjoys a little scrum along the boards just as much as he does filling out the stat sheet. Scoring just isn't a big part of his game.
But on Friday night, the Phantoms rookie made his first pro goal a memorable one, scoring the eventual game winner in a 2-1 victory over Hershey in front of 3,220 at the Glens Falls Civic Center.
"When the opportunity is there, like tonight, I'm going to jump on it," Marshall said.
The Phantoms (2-2) were in a position to win thanks to the play of their goaltender, Johan Backlund, and their improved special teams.
The high-powered Bears (3-2), the defending Calder Cup champions, outshot the Phantoms, 27-15. Backlund made 26 saves, including several in a final minute flurry when he preserved the win with some help from the crossbar.
"He saved one after the other," Marshall said. "He's so calm in net, so focused. That's what I like him about him."
Coming into the game, there wasn't much to like about the Phantoms power play. But along with Backlund, the special teams were the difference. The Phantoms scored on their only power-play opportunity and killed five Hershey power plays.
That was a big change to the story lines coming into the game: Hershey had killed all 17 power plays they faced on the season, while the Phantoms had converted on just 1 of 17 tries with the man advantage.
The Phantoms changed that the first chance they had. Pat Maroon jammed a rebound past Michal Neuvirth 2:57 into the second period to give the Phantoms a 1-0 lead.
"It's huge," Phantoms coach Greg Gilbert said. "It was one of those things where he found a way to get the puck in."
The penalty kill loomed equally huge. The Phantoms killed three in the third period, including back-to-back chances to start the third.
Hershey evened the score at 1 late in the period, taking advantage of the open ice during a four-on-four after minor penalties to Greg Amadio and Maroon. Jay Beagle finished a two-on-one with Grant McNeill to beat Johan Backlund.
Moments earlier, Backlund came out to stone Francois Bouchard on a breakaway.
Backlund's counterpart Neuvirth, the most valuable player of the Calder Cup playoffs last season, made his first start after missing the first two weeks with an injury. He didn't have much of a chance on Marshall's winner 6:20 into the third period.
The Phantoms sent the puck deep and three Phantoms forwards and both defensemen chased. A pair of collisions wiped everyone out, and somehow, the puck drifted into a lonely spot in the slot.
"Skating toward the puck I knew I had to score, and that's what I did," Marshall said.
The Phantoms won't have much chance to savor the victory. Albany arrives Saturday night and it's off to Bridgeport Sunday. The Phantoms three opponents entered the weekend a combined 10-2.
"It doesn't get any easier," Gilbert said.
Loose pucks: The Phantoms scratched forwards Krys Kolanos, Ryan Dingle and Rob Bellamy and defenseman Joonas Lehtivuori and Logan Stephenson. Bellamy has missed all four games with an injury ... For the fourth straight game, the Phantoms dressed seven defenseman.
Hershey (3-2) 0 1 0 - 1
Adirondack (2-2) 0 1 1 - 2
First Period - None. Penalties - None.
Second Period - 1, Adirondack, Maroon (Matsumoto, Jones), 3:24 (pp); 2, Hershey, Beagle (McNeill, Gordon), 18:26. Penalties - Hershey, Beagle (holding), 2:57; Adirondack, Kaspar (slashing), 6:24; Adirondack, Curry (slashing), 15:09; Hershey, Amadio (roughing); 17:49; Adirondack, Maroon (unsportsmanlike conduct), 17:49.
Third Period - 3, Adirondack, Marshall (Ross, Ward), 6:20. Penalties - Adirondack, Laliberte (hooking), 1:36; Adirondack, Bartulis (holding), 3:36; Adirondack, Jones (holding), 10:35.
Shots on Goal - Hershey 6-11-10-27. Adirondack 6-6-3-15.
Power Play Opportunities - Hershey 0 of 5; Adirondack 1 of 1.
Goalies - Hershey, Neuvirth (15 shots-13 saves). Adirondack, Backlund (27 shots-26 saves).
Referee - Chris Ciamaga.
A - 3,220.
Posted in Sports, Hockey on Saturday, October 17, 2009 1:25 am Updated: 1:28 am. | Tags: Phantoms
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