Saratoga Springs, NY - In front of a packed house of about 400 screaming fans at the Weibel Ice Arena, the Adirondack Phantoms defeated the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins by the score of 3-1. In their preseason debut Garret Klotz, Eric Wellwood, and Shane Harper netted the goals for the Phantoms, while Chris Barton scored the lone tally for the Penguins.

Phantoms netminder Jason Bacashihua pitched a shutout until 2.7 seconds remained in the game when Barton wristed a blueline shot that beat his high glove side. This game had it’s fill of hits and scrums to include a festival of haymakers between Adirondack’s Tye McGinn and the Pens’ Brandon DeFazio in the second, advantage given to McGinn.

Perhaps the only downer of what otherwise would be considered a successful night for AHL hockey was that linesman Steeve Lemay appeared to suffer a devastating left leg injury late in the third period and had to be carried off on a stretcher. It is uncertain how it happened as there was no video replay but it appeared that he may have gotten his skate caught along the boards. He was clearly writhing in pain.

Adirondack will host the Albany Devils on Saturday night for another preseason contest before opening up against the Connecticut Whale on October 8. Also, it was announced earlier this week that Adirondack will host one of the AHL’s two outdoor games this season. They will play the Hershey Bears on January 6 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. The Hamilton Bulldogs will host the other outdoor game on January 21 against the Toronto Marlies.