Saturday, January 27, 2007

SPRINGFIELD, MASS. - Michael Leighton won his second straight start for the Phantoms and earned first star honors with 33 saves as the Philadelphia Phantoms beat the Springfield Falcons 2-1, giving them a two-game winning streak heading into the AHL all-star break.

The Phantoms scored first, picking up a power play goal 4:02 into the game. Pete Zingoni filed an alternate flight plan for a John Slaney slapshot from the point, getting his stick on the puck and sending it past Falcons goaltender Jonathan Boutlin for the 1-0 advantage.

With just over four minutes remaining in the second period, Matt Ellison registered the eventual game-winner. He was about a foot below the goal line to the right of Boutlin when he fired a puck off the netminder's back and in, giving the Phantoms a 2-0 lead.

Philadelphia would need the insurance, as Andy Delmore ended Leighton's shutout bid at 14:10 of the third. But Leighton stood strong the rest of the way with several saves, including an outstanding stop on a wraparound attempt in the game's final seconds while Springfield had an extra attacker. Boutlin stopped 30 of 32 in absorbing the loss.

The AHL now heads into its all-star hiatus as the top players gather in Toronto for the Rbk Hockey AHL All-Star Classic. The event begins tomorrow night with the 2007 CCM AHL All-Star Skills Competition, and concludes with the annual AHL All-Star Game on Monday. Nolan Baumgartner is representing the Phantoms as a starter on the Canadian squad.

Philadelphia returns after the break to host Hamilton on Rock 'n Roll Mic Night next Friday, February 2 at 7:05. Individual tickets for all Phantoms games, including $8 tickets for children 14 and under anywhere in the building, are on sale now at phantomshockey.com or by calling 800-298-4200.

BOXSCORE

Philadelphia Phantoms 2 at Springfield Falcons 1 - Status: Final
Jan 27, 2007 - MassMutual Center

1st Period

Scoring - 1. Philadelphia, P. Zingoni (9) (J. Slaney, M. Ellison) 4:02 PP
Penalties - A. Delmore Spr (hooking) 3:50, M. Davis Phi (hooking) 5:44, P. Zingoni Phi (hooking) 11:21, T. Voce Phi (tripping) 14:17

2nd Period

Scoring - 2. Philadelphia, M. Ellison (6) (M. Davis, B. Kane) 15:53
Penalties - N. Milley Spr (high-sticking) 4:19, D. Cavanaugh Spr (slashing) 10:22, M. Smaby Spr (hooking) 13:44

3rd Period

Scoring - 3. Springfield, A. Delmore (12) 14:10
Penalties - D. O'Brien Spr (hooking) 6:03, D. Tolpeko Phi (bench minor - too many men) 10:06

PHI Shots: 8 10 14 TOTAL: 32
SPR Shots: 12 9 13 TOTAL: 34

Power Play Conversion
Philadelphia Phantoms 1-5. Springfield Falcons 0-4.

Goaltenders

Philadelphia Phantoms
Leighton 10-6-1 Start: 1st 0:00 Min: 60:00 SV: 33 GA: 1 [W]

Springfield Falcons
Boutin 6-6-1 Start: 1st 1:15 Min: 38:45 SV: 30 GA: 2 [L]

Start : 7:08 PM
End : 9:15 PM

Attendance : 4209

Referee I: Chris Brown (86)
Referee II:

LINESMAN I: Mike Emanatian (69)
LINESMAN II: Steeve Lemay (64)