Taking part in their first two-game week since the opening week of the season, the Flyers enjoyed two road wins against Western Conference opponents on Friday and Saturday. Claude Giroux provided a pair of game-winning goals as Ilya Bryzgalov got back on track this week winning back-to-back road games for the first time since his shutout against the New Jersey Devils on October 8. Looking ahead, the Flyers face Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin in their upcoming four-game week. Trailing 0-3 midway through the game on Friday, the Flyers scored the next four to win 4-3 in overtime against the Anaheim Ducks. Giroux slapped home the …
Minor League Update: 11/27-12/3
The Phantoms started off the week with a pair of wins before finishing with a one-goal loss. The loss was the Phantoms’ first loss since last Thursday and the game concluded violently. The Phantoms have one more road game before returning back to Adirondack for a pair of home games on Saturday and Sunday. After having three days off, the Phantoms grabbed a 4-3 win at home over the Syracuse Crunch (the Anaheim Ducks’ AHL affiliate) on Wednesday to extend their winning streak to three games. Scoring the game-winning goal with only 5:12 left in regulation, Jason Akeson had a two-point night …
Minor League Update: 11/20-11/26
As part of a new weekly article, I’ll be taking a look at all the action that happened surronding the Flyers’ AHL affiliate (Adirondack Phantoms) and ECHL affiliate (Trenton Titans). The Phantoms went 2-2-0 in their games this week losing both their road tilts before coming home to win a pair. After losing on Sunday, the Phantoms had off from Monday to Wednesday before playing three consecutive nights on Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and Saturday. Michael Leighton recorded both of the wins for the Phantoms as the club looks to gain the top spot in the Northeast Division with three games against two East …
Atlantic Watch: 11/16-11/22
Matt Read provided an excellent game-winning goal for the Flyers on Thursday, but that was the only good news Philly received all week as they are currently enduring a two-game losing streak with several key players missing the lineup in the process. Chris Pronger, Braydon Coburn, and Jaromir Jagr are important players on the Flyers’ roster. Jagr plays an important role in Philly’s most productive offensive trio, while the defense must rely on AHL call-ups when both Pronger and Coburn are absent from the lineup. Negative results were witnessed when all these players were not available at the same time …
Prospect Profiles: Joonas Lehtivuori
photo courtesy of theahl.com Position: Defense Shoots: Right Height: 5’11″ Weight: 180 lbs. Birthdate: July 19, 1988 Age: 23 Hometown: Tampere, Finland Acquired: 4th round (101st overall) of 2006 entry draft Joonas Lehtivuori is an undersized defenseman known more for his offensive game. his play in his own end and his strength remain weaknesses. 2005-2006 Lehtivuori began his career with Ilves Tampere in Finland. As a 17 year old he was playing at the highest junior level in Finland for Ilves. He showed promise as an offensive defenseman by recording 9 goals and 16 assists in 35 …
Q&A with Tim McManus on which Phantoms may contribute
Tim McManus covers the Adirondack Phantoms for The Post-Star in Glens Falls, NY. Follow his blog The Phantoms Forum here. Also make sure to follow Tim on Twitter @PSPhantoms. Which Phantoms do you think are NHL ready at this point and have the potential of winning a job with the big club? I think the two obvious candidates are Ben Holmstrom and Erik Gustafsson. Holmstrom is the guy I feel could help most immediately. He’s strong on faceoffs, reliable on the penalty kill, and his offense has been coming along, although he’ll probably never score a ton of goals at the NHL level guy. Just …
Prospect Profiles: Oliver Lauridsen
Phantoms to switch divisions as AHL realigns
The American Hockey League took one more step towards mimicking the NHL on Tuesday, announcing a realignment plan that moves all 30 of its member clubs from four to six divisions. Adirondack, which had been placed in the eight-team East Division of the Eastern Conference last season, now moves into the newly-created Northeast Division but remains in the Eastern Conference. The Phantoms will be joined by the Albany Devils, Bridgeport Sound Tigers, Springfield Falcons and the re-branded Connecticut Whale. Here is the full breakdown, thanks to the AHL’s release: Eastern Conference Atlantic Division Manchester Monarchs (LA) Portland Pirates (PHX) Providence …
Prospect Profiles: Ben Holmstrom
Photo courtesy of theahl.com Position: Center Shoots: Right Height: 6.1″ Weight: 180 Birthdate: April 9, 1987 Age: 24 Hometown: Colorado Springs, Colorado Acquired: Signed as free agent (3-17-10) Ben Holmstrom spent his junior years playing for the Sioux Falls Stampede of the United States Hockey League from 2003-2006. He tallied 14 goals and 18 assists in 126 games over three years with the Stampede. In his final season with te Stampede, he captained them to their first ever championship and to a franchise best record of 43-13-4. Holmstrom headed to the NCAA to play for the University of Massachusetts Lowell …
Phantoms retain Paterson as head coach
Glens Falls, NY – Today the Adirondack Phantoms, in collaboration with their NHL Affiliate Philadelphia Flyers, proudly announce that Joe Paterson has been hired as the team’s Head Coach. Paterson returns behind the bench after taking over the coaching duties on an interim basis on December 20th of last season. His record of 25-16-2-6 was near the top in the AHL during that period of time. “It goes without saying; we were pleased with the results of the hockey team as the season progressed. Joe was able to pass on his passion and knowledge of the game to the players …