FLAMES SHOOT PAST THE STARS

Glens Falls, NY – The Adirondack Flames got back to their winning ways on Friday evening, as they defeated the defending Calder Cup Champion Texas Stars by a 3-2 final in front of 3,270 fans at the Glens Falls Civic Center.

It was a memorable night for Taylor Vause, as he scored twice in the win for the Flames. For Vause, it was just the second time in his AHL career that he’s registered a multi-goal game, his last coming as a member of these very Texas Stars on March 23, 2013. Mark Cundari also added his first marker of the season, while Mathieu Tousignant, Corey Potter, Devin Setoguchi, and Tyler Wotherspoon all picked up assists. Between the pipes, Joni Ortio was terrific, as he made 37 saves in the victory, a handful of which are sure to hit the highlight reel. The win was Ortio’s 10th of the year.

On this night it was the Flames who struck first just 94 seconds into the first period, as Vause beat Anders Lindback off of a fine feed from Tousignant to finish off the give-and-go that the two started at the blue line. The pass from Tousignant left Vause staring into a wide open net, and the 23-year-old Calgary native made no mistake. The goal for Vause was his second of the season since he joined the Flames in mid-November.

The Stars, however, responded with a goal of their own to tie the game at one at 11:53 of the opening stanza. Texas controlled the puck in the offensive zone and Brett Richie fired a shot from the top of the right circle that eluded Ortio and found the back of the net. The goal was Ritchie’s fifth tally of the season and was assisted by Justin Dowling.

Adirondack regained its lead shortly after the second period got underway. After a quality shift where the Flames applied persistent pressure in the offensive zone, the puck made its way up to Potter at the blue line. The veteran defenseman then slid it over to Cundari, who blasted a one-timer through traffic in front to beat Lindback and put the Flames back in front. The goal, which was Cundari’s first of the 2014-15 campaign, was assisted by Potter and Setoguchi.

The Flames doubled their lead at 12:31 of the second, when Vause netted his second of the evening. The ex-Star collected a loose puck in front, after some nice work from Tousignant to jar the puck loose from Lindback. The goal, which was Vause’s second of the night and third of the season, was assisted by Tousignant and Wotherspoon, who took the original point shot.

The two squads skated to nearly 18 minutes of scoreless hockey in the final frame, until Lindback headed to the Stars bench for the extra-attacker. With just 2:22 remaining in the game, Richie scored his second of the evening as he deflected a shot from the point, which beat Joni Ortio to pull Texas within one. Defenseman Julius Honka and forward Travis Morin collected the assists on the play for Texas but the Stars could not get closer than 3-2.

The Flames are back in action at 7:00 p.m. tomorrow, as they take a trip to across New York State to face the Binghamton Senators. Adirondack will also take to the ice again the following day at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday at the Times Union Center in Albany, as the Flames and Devils will faceoff in the second and final installment of the “Northway Rivalry” for the 2014-15 season. The Flames return home to the Civic Center on Wednesday, when the Hamilton Bulldogs come back to Glens Falls for the second time in as many weeks.

Wednesday is Hockey in Heels Night, presented by 101.3 The Jockey. Tickets are just $12 for women and there will be a crazy shoe contest for the most creative pair of shoes. Additionally, it is also a Great Meadow Federal Credit Union Wednesday. Discounted tickets will be available at all three G.M.F.C.U. Branches, located in Granville, South Glens Falls and Comstock. Tickets are available to the general public. Great seats are still available for Wednesday’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 Ÿ Fired Up