Frantic Finish - Admirals Survive Scare From Phantoms

Danick Martel (right) made his AHL debut tonight with the Phantoms after being added to an amateur tryout contract (ATO).

What was seemingly an uneventful 1-0 game through the first 57:02 of regulation turned into a frantic final 2:58 after the Lehigh Valley Phantoms and Norfolk Admirals combined for three goals in a span of 2:13 to force overtime.

Unfortunately for the home team, the rally fell short as Admirals forward Max Friberg picked a corner on Anthony Stolarz 3:45 into OT to lift the Admirals to the 3-2 win.

Post-game reaction from Kevin Goumas, Anthony Stolarz and forward Danick Martel on his pro debut after the jump.


POST-GAME REACTION

Danick Martel on his pro debut:

For sure, I was excited at the beginning of the game. I think we played a decent game. It was only the first period that I was a little bit stressed but after I started playing I just took the moment and appreciated it.

Martel on adjusting to speed:

The guys are bigger and faster, but I play my game and hope things will go my way.

Martel on the overtime:

It's only 4-on-4 5 minutes. 3-on-3 was a little bit bizarre, but I think it was a good experience and I'll build off of this.

Kevin Goumas on final minutes:

We knew it wasn't going to be a pretty goal. We got two greasy goals, hard-nosed in front of the net. That's what it takes sometimes.

Goumas on flying around out there this weekend:

Just trying to go out there and do the best I can. You have to take advantage of some opportunities. Coach had a little faith in me this weekend, play a little more and do a little of that. That's some things you have to take advantage of, not just me but for everyone.

Anthony Stolarz on his first game in quite awhile:

I feel good. I've been working really hard with Zepper and Neil Little in practice. Even though I haven't been playing it's all about going out there and working hard and continuing to improve my game. Obviously it sucks not playing, but when you get your opportunity you have to go out there and make the most of it. 

GAME RECAP

Much as you would expect in a match up between two teams who just played each other the night before, the first period of the Phantoms/Admirals part two was physical and tempers flared early and often.

A pair of fights broke out 5:39 into the contest, with Jay Rosehill and Derek Mathers dropping the gloves with Nathan McIver and John Kurtz, respectively. Mathers got the crowd pumped up and motioned to the fans at PPL Center on his way to the penalty box, but an extra cross-checking minor assessed to Rosehill gave the Admirals a power play chance they would not lay to waste.

Nine seconds into the man advantage, Brandon Montour got a puck to the point to Shea Theodore and his shot from the point was re-directed past Anthony Stolarz by Stefan Noesen to put Norfolk ahead 1-0.

It wasn't until there was less than three minutes left in the third period that the action picked up. Kevin Goumas got the rebound of a blocked point shot and banked one off of Dave Steckel's skate past Ryan Faragher to even the score at 1-1.

The lead lasted all of 28 seconds before Montour's shot from a bad angle somehow sneaked through Stolarz's equipment amidst heavy traffic in the Phantoms' netminder's crease to put Norfolk back in front 2-1. On a similar play at the other end, Blair Jones pushed the puck and the goalie Faragher across the line to even the game back up at 2-2 with 44.6 left.  

The Phantoms had a few chances in overtime to end it, but during the 3-on-3 late in the extra session Max Friberg skated down the right wing and beat Stolarz high and to the short side from a bad angle to push the Admirals past the Phantoms.

ROSTER NOTES

Anthony Stolarz (31 saves - 34 shots) got the start in net tonight for the Phantoms - his first action since 3/25 at home against Syracuse and his first start since the 3/21 game in Worcester. Rob Zepp, who started the team's last nine games, got a scheduled night off.

No changes on defense. Mark Alt was recalled to Philadelphia, but was a healthy scratch and re-assigned to Lehigh Valley in time for tonight's game. Nick Luukko remained the team's seventh defenseman and a healthy scratch.

Up front,  Jason Akeson was called up to the Flyers and played this afternoon against Ottawa. Danick Martel was added to an ATO and made his pro debut.

Just before tonight's game, the Flyers announced that Mark Alt, Brandon Manning, Jason Akeson and Nick Cousins were re-assigned to Lehigh Valley. Subsequently, Andrew Johnston and Adam Comrie will be re-assigned to ECHL Reading for their Kelly Cup playoff run.

Scratches: Austin Fyten (lower body), Shayne Gostisbehere (lower body), Brett Hextall (illness), Darroll Powe (concussion symptoms) and Nick Luukko (healthy). Jason Akeson, Brandon Manning and Nick Cousins re-assigned to Lehigh Valley from Philadelphia.

Lines

Taylor Leier - Scott Laughton - Andrew Gordon
Kevin Goumas - Blair Jones - Cole Bardreau
Petr Straka - Danick Martel - Zack Stortini
Jay Rosehill - Andrew Johnston - Derek Mathers

Robert Hagg - Steven Delisle
Adam Comrie - Mark Alt
Oliver Lauridsen - Jesper Pettersson

Anthony Stolarz - Rob Zepp

GAME SUMMARY

1st Period

5:39: NOR - Kurtz, major (fighting)
5:39: NOR - McIver, major (fighting)
5:39: LV - Mathers, major (fighting)
5:39: LV - (PP) Rosehill, minor (cross-checking)
5:39: LV - Rosehill, major (fighting)
5:48: NOR - PPG Noesen (6) - Theodore, Montour

2nd Period

9:41: NOR - (PP) Leblanc, minor (slashing)
19:11: LV - (PP) Bench minor, too many men (served by A. Johnston)

3rd Period

17:02: LV - Goumas (6) - Hagg, Lauridsen
17:30: NOR - Montour (1) - Sgarbossa, Noesen
19:15: LV - Jones (9) - Bardreau, Laughton

Overtime

3:45: NOR - Friberg (15) - Montour, Theodore