Sharks bite Phantoms in season debut

Forward Jamie McGinn deflected a shot by defenseman Danny Groulx for a power-play goal with under a minute to play in regulation as the Worcester Sharks edged the Adirondack Phantoms, 3-2, tonight at the Glens Falls Civic Center.

It was the AHL season opener for both teams and marked the return of a full-time AHL team to Glens Falls since the departure of the Adirondack Red Wings in 1999.

After falling behind, 1-0, before a standing room only crowd of 5,411, Adirondack rallied on goals by Andreas Nodl and Patrick Maroon to take a 2-1 lead early in the third period.

Steven Zalewski tied it for Worcester on the power play at 12:04 of the third, setting the stage for McGinn's heroics, which came with Phantoms forward Jonathon Kalinski in the penalty box for hooking.

Rookie Nic Riopel got the start in goal for Adirondack and stopped 26 shots.

Worcester rookie defenseman Nick Petrecki, a native of Clifton Park, wore No. 27 and finished without a point or a shot and had no penalty minutes. Ex-Albany River Rats forward Dwight Helminen was scoreless and minus-1 with one shot and two penalty minutes.

Center Jared Ross, who led the Flyers top affiliate last season when it was located in Philadelphia, wore the captain's 'C' for Adirondack. Former Rats defenseman Joey Mormina and defenseman Sean Curry dressed as alternate captains.

Worcester 1 0 2 - 3
Adirondack 0 1 1 - 2
1st Period-1, Worcester, Desjardins 1 (DaSilva, Groulx), 3:08. Penalties-Laliberte Adk (cross-checking), 11:18; McCarthy Wor (interference), 13:44.

2nd Period-2, Adirondack, Nodl 1 (Kalinski), 9:09. Penalties-Curry Adk (cross-checking), 5:32; Wilson Wor (slashing), 6:28; Mashinter Wor (roughing, fighting), 10:41; Clackson Adk (roughing), 10:41; Klotz Adk (fighting), 10:41; Strong Wor (cross-checking), 16:04.

3rd Period-3, Adirondack, Maroon 1 (Laliberte), 2:27. 4, Worcester, Zalewski 1 (Couture, Wilson), 12:04 (pp). 5, Worcester, McGinn 1 (Groulx, Joslin), 19:49 (pp). Penalties-Helminen Wor (holding the stick), 6:09; Moore Wor (hooking), 7:47; Matsumoto Adk (holding the stick), 10:14; Groulx Wor (tripping), 16:04; Kalinski Adk (hooking), 18:55.

Shots on Goal-Worcester 12-7-10-29. Adirondack 8-11-11-30.

Power Play Opportunities-Worcester 2 of 4; Adirondack 0 of 6.

Goalies-Worcester, Stalock 1-0-0 (30 shots-28 saves). Adirondack, Riopel 0-1-0 (29 shots-26 saves).

A-5,411.

Referee-Terry Koharski. Linesmen-Jim Briggs, Frank Murphy.