Before we look ahead to today’s Devils-Phantoms matchup at the Glens Falls Civic Center, let’s recap yesterday’s happenings in Time Warner Cable Cup Game #7:
What started out as a goaltending duel between Michael Leighton and Mike McKenna turned into a convincing 5-2 win for the Devils. First period the Devils outshot Adirondack 19-7, but the Phantoms were the only one to get a shot in net as Eric Wellwood gave the visitors a 1-0 lead at the first intermission. Second period, the Devils started to take over, scoring twice and outshooting Adirondack 10-7. Alexander Urbom and Steve Zalewski (on the power play) put the Devils on top 2-1 after 2 periods. The only other highlight of the 2nd? Louis’s first fighting attempt back. He chirped one too many times to Cullen Eddy (who I didn’t know could fight, usually Matt Clackson, Zac Rinaldo, etc. take care of that aspect) and ended up on his knees getting punched. Ah, normalcy.
Third period saw Jamie Koharski (who only missed one blatant call this time around…there’s hope for him yet) get a little whistle happy to start, producing a 4 on 3 situation for the Devils. Alexander Vasyunov cashed in on that opportunity and scored for a 2 goal cushion. Mike Testuwide answered with a goal with 7 minutes left to make it a 3-2 game, but the home team pulled away after that. Matt Anderson (with the family from Long Island in attendance…mom, aunt, sister, brother-in-law, and baby niece were in the section next to me) added his 20th goal and Vasyunov scored his second of the day to seal a 5-2 Devils win.
Moving on to today’s afternoon tilt:
Season: This is meeting #8 of 12 in the series, Albany now has a 4-3 lead. After today, 4 games remain: March 11th in Adirondack, March 29th in Albany, and April 1st and 6th in the North Country.
Standings: With the loss and Syracuse’s victory in San Antonio, the Phantoms have fallen back into a tie for last place in the East Division, with a record of 20-32-3-6 and 49 points. They sit 3 points behind 6th place Albany, who check in with a 24-33-1-3 record and 52 points. They stand 19 points behind 5th place Binghamton, who currently hold the last playoff spot in the Atlantic Division (due to the AHL crossover rule).
Game time: 3 PM. I will be making the trek up north and doing the usual…
Thoughts Inside The Box 