NORFOLK, VA - Thursday night turned into an unofficial Tough Guys Night at Norfolk Scope, as four players normally known for their physical play instead found their way into the scoring column in a 6-3 win over the Norfolk Admirals. Steve Downie scored twice, while Jesse Boulerice, Triston Grant, and Darroll Powe joined Pete Zingoni in scoring for the Purple.
The Phantoms went down 1-0 just under six minutes into the game on a power play goal by Justin Keller. Downie tied the game with a power play goal of his own near the halfway point of the period, knocking home a loose puck from the left side of the crease.
Adam Henrich scored on the power play 61 seconds into the second period to give the Admirals another one-goal lead. But the Phantoms scored the next five goals to blow the game open, four of which came in the second period. Grant tied the game 33 seconds later on a goal set up by Nate Guenin, followed by Downie's second at 8:53 off an assist from Boulerice. Grant then set up Powe at the 10:15 mark, followed by Boulerice's first of the year with 1:30 left in the middle stanza. It was Boulerice's first appearance of the season for the Phantoms, coming a little less than two weeks after he became eligible to play in the American Hockey League following an NHL-imposed suspension.
Zingoni's goal came with 10:04 to play in the third. The Admirals closed out the scoring a little less than five minutes later on a Norm Milley goal.
Grant, Powe, Downie and Zingoni have 254 PIM between the four of them, Boulerice, while fifth on the Phantoms all-time penalty minute list, has none yet this season since this was his first game of the year. Downie was named the game's first star, Grant the second star and Boulerice the third. All three players enjoyed two-point nights.
Scott Munroe took the win for the Phantoms with 23 saves on 26 Norfolk chances. Jonathan Boutin took the loss with 13 saves on 18 shots over the first two periods before Ryan Munce came on to stop nine of 10 in the third period. The Phantoms move to 21-8-1-0 on the year for 43 points and now have a five-point lead over Albany in the East Division.
The Phantoms are back in action tomorrow night against the Binghamton Senators at the Wachovia Spectrum. The first 4,000 kids 14 and under will receive Phantoms trading cards courtesy of Pepsi. Also, fans are invited to bring unwanted Christmas gifts to the game for donation to area charities through the Comcast-Spectacor Foundation. In return, donors will receive a coupon sheet good for several discounts, including two free tickets to a future Phantoms game. Tickets are available at the Wachovia Complex box office, online at ComcastTIX.com or phantomshockey.com, or by phone at 1-800-298-4200.
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