GLENS FALLS — After one period of play, the Phantoms lead the Albany Devils 1-0 on a shorthanded goal by Sean Couturier. Adirondack outshot Albany 11-6 in the period and controlled the play well in the first. It’s the first time in nine games that the Phantoms scored the first goal. Notes and observations from the first:
* Transition game already looks a bit sharper. The Phantoms don’t have the 1-3-1 to contend with like they did against Syracuse on Friday — yes, even Tampa’s AHL affiliate plays the 1-3-1. It was pretty damned ugly last night, but breakout passes are generally much crisper so far tonight. Let’s hope it continues.
* We gave Brayden Schenn a bunch of crap yesterday for what was a pretty awful game, but he added to his team-leading point total with a shorthanded assist on Sean Couturier’s first period goal. A strong Phantoms penalty kill was rewarded when Schenn dished the puck through the neutral zone to Couturier at the opposing blue line. Coots walked in, made a move and easily slid it by Devils goalie Keith Kinkaid.
* Playing Shipping Up To Boston during a game between Adirondack and Albany doesn’t make any sense.
* Cullen Eddy dropped the gloves with Darcy Zajac late in the first period. Zajac, one of three brothers in the Devils organization, fought Eddy what I’d say was a draw. We’ll see if Shaun Kreider fumbled his phone out of his pocket quickly enough to get video for us tonight.
* Geoff’s keeping ice time for the defensemen because he’s a nerd awesome. Erik Gustafsson led the Phantoms with 9:33 in ice time, Bourdon followed up with 7:33, Syvret 6:23, Jeff Dimmen 6:08, Oliver Lauridsen 5:30 and Cullen Eddy 4:43. The fight didn’t really impact Eddy’s ice time as it came late in the period.
* The power play also looks a bit better for the Phantoms. They had just one opportunities in the first period and generated several chances. I counted at least five but that’s pretty unofficial. Puck movement and positioning is much stronger.
* Ian Laperriere and Paul Holmgren are among the dignitaries here for the Flyers this evening.
Follow along with our StoryStream for much more from tonight’s game.
