Phantoms Defeat Ice Diggers
September 23, 2004 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Mahoning Valley Phantoms News Release
Toledo, Ohio (Wednesday, September 22, 2004) -- Tonight the Youngstown Phantoms Junior-A hockey club registered its first win of the young season, defeating the Toledo Ice Diggers, 5-2, at the Team Toledo Ice House. The game was tied 1-1 after the opening period and 2-2 after two periods. However, the Phantoms (1-2-0) got third-period goals by Anthony Canzoneri, Billy Glynn and Rob Rassey. Rassey, who was the team's leading scorer last season, also contributed a pair of assists tonight to help defeat the host Ice Diggers (0-2-0).
Aaron Rhyner picked up Youngstown's first goal of the evening, and has scored at least one goal in all three games so far. The Phantoms' second tally came off the blade of Kyle Laughlin. In addition, Jeremy Smith had two assists and goaltender Jerry Kuhn also played well for Youngstown, making 28 saves. The uplifting victory came on the heels of a rough weekend that saw the Phantoms lose twice to the USA 18-and-Under National Team by scores of 9-4 and 10-4.
"It was a pretty big step for us as a young team to put together a real strong third period and do what it took to win the game," Phantoms' Head Coach and General Manager Bob Mainhardt said. "Jerry Kuhn made some important stops for us when we needed him. He gave us a chance to win."
The Phantoms will be idle this weekend before returning to action next Friday and Saturday -- October 1&2 -- when they travel to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan for a pair of 7:00 p.m. games vs. the defending NAHL North champion Soo Indians.
North American Hockey League Stories from September 23, 2004
- Liut, Ludwig and Mazzolini lead Tornado to sweep of Jr. Blues - Texas Tornado
- Indians drop season opener for first time ever - Soo Indians
- Bulls edged by IceDogs in season opener - Billings Bulls
- Jets start the season with a win - Fargo-Moorhead Jets
- Spirit defenseman headed for University of Wisconsin - Alaska Avalanche
- Smolinski and Fedotenko highlight all-Ohio week for IceDiggers - Alpena IceDiggers
- Developement teams take three games in opening weekend - U.S. National Team
- Barons sweep weekend at the Soo - Cleveland Barons
- Icedogs vs. Bighorns tonight - Bozeman Icedogs
- Phantoms Defeat Ice Diggers - Mahoning Valley Phantoms
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