Late Rally Secures Phantoms a Three-Game Split
November 2, 2008 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Mahoning Valley Phantoms News Release
TRAVERSE CITY, MI (Sunday, November 2nd, 2008) - The Mahoning Valley Phantoms rallied from a three-goal third period deficit but fell 5-4 in overtime to the Traverse City North Stars in a divisional game Sunday afternoon.
Facing a 4-1 North Stars lead, the Phantoms charged back with third period tallies from Carl Nielsen, George Saad and Stefan Salituro to force overtime. Nielsen shelfed a give-and-go with Erik Higby on the penalty kill to bring the Phantoms within two. Four minutes later, George Saad slapped home a centering feed from Nick Shkreli to make it a one-goal game.
With the net empty for the Phantoms in favor of the extra attacker, Salituro buried a Robert Harrison rebound with 15 seconds left, sending the game to overtime.
In the fourth frame, Traverse City's Kyle Jean streaked behind the Phantoms' defense on a slow clear-in, deked left on goalie Garrett Bartus and put home the game-winner with 1:52 left in OT.
Traverse City grabbed an early 2-0 lead on goals from Nate Urbaniak and Chris Salomone. Second period goals from Kyle Bonis and Eric O'Hearn helped them build the lead to 4-1 for the North Stars heading into the third.
Brandon Saad notched the lone second period marker for the Phantoms, scoring off a centering feed from Jordy Trottier on the power play.
Bartus made 20 saves in the loss for the Phantoms; Traverse City goalie Brandon Stephenson turned aside 31 Mahoning Valley attempts.
The win gives the North Stars (13-3-0, 26 pts) an 8-point lead over the Phantoms (8-3-2, 18 pts) in the NAHL's North Division. The overtime loss allowed Mahoning Valley to pick up a point on idle Team USA (9-6-1, 19 pts), who sits in second place.
Mahoning Valley finished the weekend with an even 1-1-1 split against the North Stars.
The Phantoms are back in action on Friday as they return to Detroit to take on the Motor City Machine. Mahoning Valley is 2-0-0 in two games against the last-place Machine. Puck drop is set for 7:10 PM.
Season tickets and individual game tickets are now on sale at the Phantom Box Office at the Ice Zone in Boardman. Call (330) 965-7500 for more information. The Phantoms will be holding a Meet the Team event at the Chevrolet Centre from 11:00 AM until 6:00 PM on Monday, November 10th.
North American Hockey League Stories from November 2, 2008
- Stars Claim OT Thriller - Traverse City North Stars
- Late Rally Secures Phantoms a Three-Game Split - Mahoning Valley Phantoms
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