Adirondack Defeats Oilers Affiliate, 3-1

The Adirondack Flames defeated Oklahoma City Saturday evening, taking three of a possible four points against the top team in the Western Conference. Goals by Michael Ferland (second in two games), Max Reinhart and Garnet Hathaway powered the Flames to a 3-1 victory.

The big news from the weekend, however, is the injury to Joni Ortio. With the Flames All-Star goaltender out for six to eight weeks, Adirondack will rely on veteran Brad Thiessen and rookie ECHL call up Doug Carr to take them down the stretch. Carr was 10-10-0 in Colorado with a 2.65 GAA and .888 SAV% in 22 games, combined with a 2.30 GAA and .925 SAV% in four periods of work in Adirondack during an earlier call up. One would think that Thiessen will get the vast majority of the remaining work, but the team has several three games in three or four days down the stretch, which will necessitate Carr seeing some action.

As we know, high ankle sprains are tricky and the possibility of Ortio being back to 100% for the payoffs is far from certain. For Adirondack fans, it should also be noted that there was a significant possibility Ortio would have finished the season in Calgary had the injury not occurred – given the trade deadline rumors and UFA status of Karri Ramo (outlined in detail here). All that is moot now, and one would think this situation ties the organization’s hands in this area.

Adirondack remains in 10th place in the conference, three points out of the final playoff spot with a game in hand. This coming Friday, they take on their nemesis – the Utica Comets – in Utica, before returning home Saturday to host the Toronto Marlies.

by Keith Mcafee