Slaney Ties Record in Victory

NORFOLK, VA - Phantoms captain John Slaney tied an American Hockey League record for career points by a defenseman Wednesday night when he scored the game-winning goal in a 3-1 win over the Norfolk Admirals. Slaney's sixth goal of the year was his 453rd career AHL point, tying the record set by Steve Kraftcheck between 1949 and 1964.

The game was a scoreless affair until 11:28 of the second period, when Norfolk broke the deadlock on a remarkable goal by Milan Bartovic. The winger was squeezed between two Phantoms defensemen as he chased a loose puck into the Philadelphia zone. Bartovic went down in the high slot, but reached out while on his stomach and swatted the puck over the right shoulder of Martin Houle for a 1-0 lead.

The Phantoms tied the game late in the frame. David Printz was taken down in the left circle of the Norfolk zone and a delayed penalty was signaled. But Printz was able to get back to his feet, track down the puck, and beat Adam Munro. The goal ended a scoreless streak of 107:06 for the Phantoms, dating back to Eric Chouinard's goal at 11:15 of the third period at Syracuse on Dec. 17.

Slaney gave his team the lead and made history at the same time at 2:37 of the third. Working in a five-on-three situation, Slaney blasted home a shot from the point. Matt Ellison earned his first point in a Phantoms sweater with an assist, while Alexandre Picard picked up the other helper.

Philadelphia grabbed an insurance tally at the 7:25 mark of the final frame. Stefan Ruzicka went to the puck in the left corner and centered in front to a wide open Pat Kavanagh. Munro made the initial save on Kavanagh, but Ruzicka came out in front and knocked home the rebound for the 3-1 lead.

Houle took the win with 26 saves on 27 Norfolk shots, while Munro absorbed the loss with 22 saves on 25 Phantoms opportunities. The win snapped a three-game winless streak for Philadelphia, which last won on Dec. 10 at Hartford.