In the final regular-season home game for the Albany River Rats franchise, the club made it a memorable night.
Left wing Jacob Micflikier converted on a penalty shot five minutes into the game, left wing Brad Herauf scored on a breakaway and goalie Justin Peters made 27 saves as the River Rats turned back rival Adirondack, 4-2 on Saturday night before a crowd of 6,743.
A night after qualifying for the American Hockey League playoffs, Albany (42-28-3-5) clinched second place in the East Division and home ice for at least the first round of the postseason.
Rookie center Zac Dalpe scored on a rebound with 5.8 seconds remaining in the second period to tally his sixth goal in six games with the Rats.
Defensemen Danny Syvret and Erik Gustafsson each scored in the final period for the Phantoms, but right wing Steven Goertzen added an empty-net goal with 14 seconds remaining.
Rookie forward Mike McKenzie, who assisted on Herauf’s goal, made his pro debut for the Rats after wrapping up his senior season at St. Lawrence University.
The Rats will open their first-round Calder Cup playoff series in Albany on Wednesday, April 14 against an opponent to be determined.
Rookie goalie Brian Stewart stopped 22 of 25 shots faced in his pro debut for last-place Adirondack (31-39-3-4).
Right wing Mario Valery-Trabucco, who completed his senior season at Union College two weekends ago, made his pro debut for the Phantoms, registering a shot on goal, including taking a penalty on his first shift.
The undrafted Trabucco, who led the Dutchmen in goals (23) and points (45) in leading Union to its first ECAC title game, signed an amateur tryout agreement with Adirondack on March 23.