Late Goal Drops Phantoms 4-3
March 8, 2008 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Mahoning Valley Phantoms News Release
MARQUETTE, MI - With a mere 1:33 left in regulation, Josh Bussell's slapshot from the top of the left circle found its way over the shoulder of Mahoning Valley Phantoms goaltender Jordan Tibbett, giving the Marquette Rangers a 4-3 win over the Phantoms on Saturday night at Lakeview Arena.
The goal was Bussell's second of the night, and one of the three Marquette goals that deflected into the back of the net off of Phantoms players.
For the second straight night, the Phantoms (30-17-4, 64 points) opened the scoring. Kyle Bailey took a feed from Johnny Meo and backhanded a mini-breakaway over the glove of Marquette goaltender Beau Christian to put the Phantoms up 1-0 just 6:16 in.
A slow first period set the stage for a second period scoring frenzy. Marquette's Derek Grogan tied the game at 1-1 just 2:50 into the middle frame.
Bailey then potted his second of the night at the 11:27 mark to regain the Phantoms' one-goal margin.
Taking advantage of Miles Winter's double minor penalty for high-sticking, Chad Pietila and Bussell propelled the Rangers (25-24-3, 53 points) out to a quick 3-2 lead with powerplay goals just 51 seconds apart.
Phantoms scoring leader Derek Graham cashed in with a powerplay goal of his own, tying the game at 3-3 just 29 seconds before the second intermission.
Tibbett fell to 8-9-1 on the season despite making 27 saves.
The Alpena Ice Diggers pulled out a 2-1 win over the U.S. National Team on Saturday night as well. Coupled with the Phantoms loss, Alpena moved to within three points of Mahoning Valley in second place in the NAHL North. The top four teams in each division will make the playoffs.
Next up, the Phantoms host three games at the Ice Zone against the Traverse City North Stars, beginning Friday at 7:15 p.m. Catch all the action broadcast live on the web at www.mvpphantoms.com.
The Mahoning Valley Phantoms are owned by the B.J. Alan Company - Phantom Fireworks, located in Youngstown, Ohio.
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North American Hockey League Stories from March 8, 2008
- U.S. National Under-17 Team Falls, 2-1, at Alpena - U.S. National Team
- U.S. Nat'l Under-17 Team Falls, 2-1, at Alpena - U.S. National Team
- Outlaws Capture Central Division Regular Season Title - North Iowa Outlaws
- Outlaws Capture Central Division Regular Season Title - North Iowa Outlaws
- Late Goal Drops Phantoms 4-3 - Mahoning Valley Phantoms
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