Wiikman, Wolf Pack Nip Phantoms

Miika Wiikman made numerous stellar saves and got help from the crossbar and post three times in the Hartford Wolf Pack’s 2-1 victory over the Philadelphia Phantoms before 2,647 at the XL Center Friday night.

Defenseman Bobby Sanguinetti’s first goal in 29 games as a pro at 5:43 of the third period proved the difference as the Wolf Pack (2-3-0-1) won their first game in regulation to end a 0-2-0-1 slide.

“It was a big-time game for us where we obviously needed a win, and Miika had a real strong game,” Wolf Pack coach Ken Gernander said. “He was our best (penalty) killer, and that never hurts, especially when you have to kill eight (power plays).”

Wiikman (30 saves) said he didn’t feel good in the first period.

“Maybe I was too nervous to start,” Wiikman said, smiling. “I got lucky with the two crossbars, and it felt good to still have a shutout. Then I got shots more frequently, and that kept me into the game a little easier and I got more relaxed and had a good feeling in the third. And I think the guys played a lot better defense than in the last few games.”

Sanguinetti scored the winner when he took a pass from Brodie Dupont and beat Jean-Sebastien Aubin (22 saves) to the glove side from 25 feet out in the slot.

“I saw Dupont coming off the wall and kind of just walked in and took a shot,” Sanguinetti said. “It was kind of funny because on the bench (assistant coach) J.J. (Daigneault) said Aubin has a good glove. After I scored, I said, ‘Yeah, he’s got a great glove, but …’ It’s just exciting to have the first (goal) over with. After they tied it up, we wanted to make sure we got the goal right back.”

Sanguinetti scored 1:46 after former Wolf Pack left wing Boyd Kane deflected Steve Downie’s shot past Wiikman on a power play. But the Phantoms couldn’t get the equalizer and didn’t get a shot after pulling Aubin for a sixth attacker with 1:48 left.

The loss was the fifth in a row for the Phantoms (1-5-0-0), who have scored one goal in each of their last three games under coach John Paddock. Paddock guided the Wolf Pack to their only Calder Cup in 2000, when Gernander was the captain.

The Wolf Pack, ranked next-to-last in the AHL on the power play entering the game (7.1 percent, 2-for-28), scored on their first chance when Pierre-Alexandre Parenteau whipped a shot from the slot past Aubin at 5:00 to cap a nifty three-way play with Tommy Pyatt and Sanguinetti.

After Sean Curry and Kane hit the crossbar, Wiikman sprawled to deny Jeff Szwez alone in front after a Parenteau giveaway at 2:08 of the second period. Wiikman got lucky again with 4:18 left in the second period when Kane’s deflection on a four-minute power play hit the post. Wiikman then robbed a wide-open Jonathan Matsumoto as the Phantoms’ lengthy man advantage ended.

Aubin made good glove saves on Dale Weise and Sanguinetti in the opening 1:24 of the third period, then the Phantoms tied it before Sanguinetti’s quick response.