By ANDREW CHAMPAGNE
achampagne@saratogian.com
Twitter.com/AndrewChampagne

Mike Cignoli is in Utica with Saratoga Springs High School's hockey team today, and he's entrusted me to fill his shoes this evening. Not an easy task given all the work he puts in, but here goes.

Adirondack snapped a three-game losing streak with a 2-1 win over Springfield last night, and the Phantoms will look to make it two in a row when they face Connecticut tonight at the Glens Falls Civic Center. Adirondack is 1-2 against the Whale this season, with that win coming at home on Jan. 5.

The Whale sit second in the Northeast Division at 27-24-5-3, and are 13 points back of division leader Springfield. With 62 points on the season, Connecticut's hold on second place is tenuous, with both Albany (59 points) and Bridgeport (57 points) within striking distance.

It's been a tough season for the Phantoms, but the squad did top the division leaders Friday behind a game-winner from Oliver Lauridsen. The victory was the first by Adirondack over the Falcons in four tries this season, though they also took Springfield to a shootout on Feb. 17.

I'll be providing live updates on my personal Twitter, @AndrewChampagne (link above), as well as a blog post following the game. Fire away with comments as the game goes along.

The opening faceoff is set for 7 p.m.