Five Goal Frenzy Sparks Phantoms
Published on February 29, 2008 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Mahoning Valley Phantoms News Release
BOARDMAN, Ohio (Friday, February 29, 2008) - The Mahoning Valley Phantoms put on a clinic in scoring, showing just how potent their offense can be, notching the first five goals of the game en route to a 6-3 triumph over the Alpena Ice Diggers on Friday night in front of nearly 1000 fans at the Ice Zone in Boardman.
Eric Ringel slotted a pair of powerplay goals, while team scoring leader Derek Graham tallied two helpers to lead Mahoning Valley to its sixth win in nine games against their rivals.
Brian McGinty and Stefan Salituro each contributed a goal and an assist as well, to help the second place Phantoms (28-16-4, 60 points) move three points clear of the third place Ice Diggers (26-18-5, 57 points) in the NAHL North Division standings.
The Phantoms drew first blood at 11:36 of the opening period. Chad Boeckman blocked a shot at his own blue line, and walked in all alone to put a shorthanded goal up over the glove of Alpena goaltender Nick Graves to give Mahoning Valley a 1-0 lead.
The Phantoms then exploded for four second period goals to jump out to a 5-0 lead after two. Salituro, Kyle Verbeek and Ringel each converted, chasing Graves from the net with just 4:19 left in the frame.
McGinty then notched his second of the season, putting a backhand up over Nate Pellegrino with just 30 seconds left in the period, making it 5-0 Phantoms. The goal was the team's second shorthanded breakaway goal of the night.
Phantoms goaltender Garrett Bartus had the shutout going until Alpena's Jon Puskar deflected home a powerplay goal 4:16 into the third period. Bartus would make 37 saves on the night to earn his 19th win of the season.
Ringel's second of the night pushed the Phantoms lead back to five, before Bryan Ross and Ryan Sell each slotted a late goal to bring the final margin to three.
Mahoning Valley went 2 for 6 with the powerplay, while their penalty kill limited the NAHL's second best powerplay unit to one goal in five chances.
The same two teams square off again on Saturday night at the Ice Zone in Boardman. Game time is slated for 7:15 p.m. Mahoning Valley will be wearing special edition Relay for Life Phantoms jerseys, which will be auctioned off to fans after the game to help support the cause.
Catch all Phantoms hockey broadcast live on the web at www.mvpphantoms.com.
North American Hockey League Stories from February 29, 2008
- North Stars combustion continues - Traverse City North Stars
- U.S. National Under-18 Team and Nebraska-Omaha Play to 3-3 Draw - U.S. National Team
- Outlaws Down Topeka - North Iowa Outlaws
- Five Goal Frenzy Sparks Phantoms - Mahoning Valley Phantoms
- North Iowa Awarded 2009 Robertson Cup Championship - NAHL
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