Phantoms Bounce Back, Rip Rangers 5-2
December 20, 2008 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Mahoning Valley Phantoms News Release
YOUNGSTOWN, OH - The Mahoning Valley Phantoms bounced back after a tough Friday loss to drop the Marquette Rangers 5-2 and jump back into first place atop the NAHL North Division standings.
Garrett Bartus got the start in net for the Phantoms and turned away 29 Marquette shots, earning his first win since October 25th. After the game, Bartus said he was excited to pick up the "W."
"It feels awesome," said Bartus. "The team came out and everyone worked their butts off; it was a complete turnaround from last night [a 5-2 loss to Marquette]. As a goalie I can't ask for anything more."
Phantoms Head Coach and General Manager Bob Mainhardt was pleased that his offense provided Bartus with five goals to work with.
"In Garrett's last few starts he's played really well and deserved the win," said Mainhardt, "but we didn't give him much support. It was nice to see him go out there and get that support; and he played a great game."
The Phantoms struck first as team captain Johnny Meo blistered a one-timer past Marquette netminder Kevin Kissaw 10:43 into the contest for his fourth goal of the season. Meo's linemate Michael Pateras beat Kissaw five minutes later to give the Phantoms a 2-1 lead after the first.
Chad Pietila briefly pulled the Rangers into the game with his 14th goal of the year, cutting the Phantoms' lead to 2-1 after two periods.
The Phantoms opened the third period with a flurry of goals from Nick Shkreli, Brandon Saad and Stefan Salituro to end Marquette's hopes for a comeback and seal the win for the Phantoms.
The win pushed the Phantoms (17-7-2, 36 pts) one point ahead of the idle Traverse City North Stars (15-5-5, 35 pts) for first place. With the loss, Marquette (15-14-4, 34 pts) fell into a third-place tie with the Alpena IceDiggers (16-9-2, 34 pts).
The Phantoms return to action following the holiday break on Sunday, December 28th, when they host the IceDiggers at 7:15 PM at the Chevrolet Centre.
The game will be broadcast locally on ESPN Radio 1240, WBBW, and worldwide at MVPPhantoms.com via B2 Networks. The pregame show will begin at 7:00 PM.
Phantoms season tickets and individual tickets are now on sale at the Phantom Box Office at the Ice Zone in Boardman. Call (330) 965-7500 for more information.
The Mahoning Valley Phantoms are owned by the B.J. Alan Company - Phantom Fireworks, located in Youngstown, Ohio.
North American Hockey League Stories from December 20, 2008
- Phantoms Bounce Back, Rip Rangers 5-2 - Mahoning Valley Phantoms
- U.S. U17 Team Edged by Springfield, 4-3 - U.S. National Team
- Stars skate into Motown - Traverse City North Stars
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