Phantoms earn split of weekend series with Soo
October 8, 2004 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Mahoning Valley Phantoms News Release
The Youngstown Phantoms Junior-A hockey club registered a 4-1 victory over the Soo Indians Sunday at the Soo Big Bear Arena, and got a split of their weekend series with the Indians.
The Phantoms (2-3-0) got power play goals from Owen Meyer and Aaron Rhyner in the first period and remained in control the rest of the evening.
After a scoreless second period, Youngstown increased its advantage to 3-0 on a wrap-around goal by Rob Rassey at the 4:26-mark of the final period. The Soo (1-4-1) got on the scoreboard just four seconds later on a goal by Ray Kaunisto, but it turned out to be the Indians' only tally of the night as Phantoms' goaltender Jerry Kuhn made 33 saves. Youngstown's Anthony Canzoneri closed out the scoring with an empty-net goal with 41 seconds remaining in the game.
It was a decisive victory for the Phantoms, who split the two-game weekend series against the defending NAHL North Division champs. Youngstown failed to generate any offense in the series opener Friday night, losing 3-0 to the hosts.
"Tonight we challenged our veterans," Phantoms' assistant coach Tom Kowal said. "After last night, we asked them to pick us up and they led us to victory."
On Friday at the Big Bear Arena, Soo goaltender Troy Redmann registered the shutout by stopping all 25 shots he faced. The Indians got second-period goals from Tiger Marcotte and Kellen Chamblee and a short-handed tally by Tommi Maata in the final period.
The Phantoms also got superb goaltending Friday as Jerry Kuhn made 36 saves and was named the game's third star.
"Jerry Kuhn was our lone bright spot tonight," Kowal said after Fridayâs game. "He played real well and made a ton of saves or the score could have been much worse. Overall, it wasn't a very good effort on our part. Maybe having a week and a half off hurt us, but you hate to make excuses."
The Phantoms, who were shut out only once all last season, were in action Friday for the first time since September 22, when they notched a 5-2 road victory over the Toledo Ice Diggers.
The Phantoms will return to action on Saturday, October 9 when they travel to Toledo for a 7:30 p.m. contest against the IceDiggers.
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