NUMBER NINE IS LOOKING FINE

Glens Falls, NY – The Adirondack Flames extended their winning streak to nine games, as they defeated the Toronto Marlies by a 3-2 final on Wednesday night at the Glens Falls Civic Center.

It was a big night for Ben Hanowski, as he scored twice in the win for the Flames to extend his team high total in goals to nine. Bill Arnold also added a goal of his own, as he netted the game winner on the power play with just 2:50 remaining in regulation. David Wolf, Taylor Vause, Mark Cundari, and Garnet Hathaway all had assists in the victory, while Joni Ortio was strong with 21 saves for his ninth win of the season. The Flames have now scored a power play goal in four straight games, while Taylor Vause has collected four points in his first four games with Adirondack.

On this night it was the Marlies who struck first, as Brendan Mikkelson beat Joni Ortio from the slot off a rebound from a Spencer Abbott shot. Patrick Watling earned the secondary on the goal, which was Mikkelson’s first of the season.

The teams settled in during the second period, as both goaltenders, Ortio for Adirondack and Christopher Gibson for Toronto, stood tall turning aside all shots that were directed towards their respective nets. The Flames also extended their penalty killing streak to 27 in a row when they successfully killed off Emile Poirier’s high-sticking penalty midway through the second stanza.

The pace picked up significantly in the third period. The Flames started the final frame trailing 1-0, but just 34 seconds in, Hanowski found the back of the net to knot the game at one. The goal, his eighth of the season, was assisted by David Wolf, who found Hanowski cutting to the front of the net.

The Marlies then regained the one-goal lead when their leading goal scorer, Greg McKegg, netted his seventh of the year at the seven minute mark of the final period. McKegg, who at the time put the Marlies ahead 2-1, took a Josh Leivo pass in stride and made a move left to right to beat Ortio left pad side. Connor Brown was credited with the secondary assist on McKegg’s seventh.

With 9:30 remaining in regulation, however, Vause raced down the right side and threw a cross-ice pass that fell right onto Hanowski’s tape. The 24-year-old forward re-directed into the puck past Gibson, and into the net to again tie the game for the Flames. The goal was Hanowski’s second of the night and ninth of the season, this coming on the power play. Vause and Cundari were credited with the assists on the goal.

Adirondack pulled ahead for the first time of the evening with just 2:50 remaining in the game, as Arnold scored the game winner on the power play. Arnold, who now has four goals on the season, skated in from the left circle when he received the pass from Garnet Hathaway at the right side of the net. Arnold made no mistake, and buried it blocker side past Gibson.

The Flames never looked back, and held off the Marlies to complete their ninth win in as many games.

The Flames are back in action on Friday in search of their 10th win in a row, as they will take a trip to Utica to face the North Division leading Comets. Adirondack will then return to the Civic Center the following night as the Grand Rapids Griffins come to town. Saturday night will also feature two members of the 1980 Olympic Gold Medal winning men’s hockey team, Dave Silk and Dave Christian, so be sure to secure your tickets so you can “Relive the Miracle.” Tickets are still available for Saturday’s contest, as well as for all of the team’s home games this season. Visit the Flames box office, call 518-480-3355, or order online at glensfallscc.com to be a part of Adirondack Flames Hockey.

Adirondack Flames Hockey - Fired Up