Phantoms bounce first-place Alpena
October 27, 2006 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Mahoning Valley Phantoms News Release
ALPENA, Mich. - Adam Snead scored and added an assist, and Ryan Zapolski stopped 28 shots to lead the Mahoning Valley Phantoms to a 5-2 win over the Alpena Ice Diggers at Northern Lights Arena.
Snead, a former Ice Digger, entered the game tied for eighth in scoring among defensemen in the North American Hockey League. "It was good to get a goal against them, but it was more important to get the win,' Snead said.
Eric Ringel gave the Phantoms a 1-0 lead on five-on-three power play. As they cycled the puck down low, Derek Graham fed Ringel on the left point. Ringel skated inside the top of the left circle and wristed a shot over the left glove side of Ice Diggers goaltender Shawn Hunwick for his fourth goal of the season at 6:52 of the opening period.
Mahoning Valley added to their lead on a misplay by Hunwick. Chris Fairbanks' shot from the right circle bounced out and in front of Hunwick's glove. The goaltender tried quickly to bat the puck out of danger with his stick.
Instead, his swing popped the puck up, over and behind him, trickling past the goal line and leaving everyone in disbelief. Fairbanks was credited for his eighth goal of the season with 7:36 remaining in the period.
The Phantoms then scored in the final seconds on sheer hustle. Keeping the puck in the attack zone, defenseman Trent Bonnett fed Nathan Longpre behind the goal line. Longpre quickly centered the puck in front where Dustin Cloutier skated in and tapped the puck sharply in the upper right corner of the goal, just above Hunwick's left shoulder.
The clock showed just 3.3 seconds left and the Phantoms led 3-0 after 20 minutes. Hunwick would be relieved by Mike Jarboe to start the second period.
"We started quick, though it wasn't our best effort. But we can look at that as a positive as we prepare for tomorrow," Phantoms Head Coach Bob Mainhardt said.
Kerry Bence got Alpena on the board in the second period. Chris Hendrickson's shot from the right point was redirected in front by Bence, sliding between the legs of Zapolski at the 7:54 mark.
It marked Bence's first goal and first point as an Ice Digger. But that was all the momentum the Phantoms would allow, as they would regain their form minutes later. With Bence in the penalty box for interference, Snead would score against his old team.
His slapshot from the high slot beat Jarboe past his right skate for his second goal of the season at 14:08. Longpre recorded his second assist on the goal.
Matt Quigley added his league-leading 11th goal of the season just 80 seconds later. Mike Fillinger gathered a loose puck on the left wing of the Phantoms zone and softly lobbed it ahead into open ice for Quigley to chase after.
Quigley outskated an Alpena defenseman, collected the puck at center ice and skated in alone on a breakaway. At the last second, Quigley changed to his backhand and flipped the puck over Jarboe's blocker at 15:28 for a 5-1 Phantoms lead.
Chad Billins made it 5-2 at 3:35 of the third period with a slapshot from the left point, but the Phantoms would, again, snuff the momentum. The Ice Diggers were given once last chance to get back in the game with seven minutes remaining.
With two Phantoms in the penalty box, Alpena had a five-on-three advantage for a minute and 26 seconds. But Mahoning Valley's penalty killing blocked shots and passing lanes, allowing just one shot on goal during the sequence.
"We talked and worked a lot on special teams," Mainhardt said. "We made some minor adjustments and it paid off for us."
With the win, the Phantoms even their record to 7-7-1 and force a four-way tie for second place in the North Division. They, along with Traverse City, Marquette and the U.S. National Team all have 15 points; five behind Alpena, who fell to 10-4-0 and saw their five-game winning streak snapped.
The Phantoms and the Ice Diggers return to Northern Lights Arena on Saturday. The puck drops at 7 p.m., and will be webcast on www.mvpphantoms.com.
Next week, the Phantoms return to the Ice Zone in Boardman, Ohio, for the team's home opener against the Traverse City North Stars on Friday, Nov. 3rd at 7 p.m. Tickets are now on sale at the Ice Zone; located at 360 McClurg Rd. Fans can also call (330) 965-7500 for more information.
The Mahoning Valley Phantoms are owned by the B.J. Alan Company- Phantom Fireworks which is headquartered in Youngstown, Ohio.
North American Hockey League Stories from October 27, 2006
- IceDiggers fall to Phantoms 5-2 - Alpena IceDiggers
- Rangers Score Win - Marquette Rangers
- Ritter slams door on Stars - Traverse City North Stars
- Phantoms bounce first-place Alpena - Mahoning Valley Phantoms
- Rangers in the Community - Marquette Rangers
- Bobcats on the road this weekend - Bismarck Bobcats
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