Phantoms fall in overtime
November 3, 2005 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Mahoning Valley Phantoms News Release
Ann Arbor, Michigan (Thursday, November 3, 2005) - Goaltender Josh Unice made 45 saves through overtime and then stopped all four shooters he faced in a shootout to lead the U.S. National Under-17 Team to a 5-4 win over the Mahoning Valley Phantoms in an overtime shootout won by the U.S. 1-0. Ryan Hayes scored the lone goal in the shootout and received credit for the game-winning tally.
Phantoms defenseman Dennis Urban forced overtime, scoring with 10.4 seconds remaining, after they pulled goaltender Ryan Zapolski for an extra attacker. It concluded an exciting third period that saw the Phantoms enter it with a 2-1 lead.
The U.S. bounced back with goals from James VanRiemsdyk at 2:20 and Colin Wilson at 12:30 to take a 3-2 lead. But Anthony Ciraulo tied it again, on the power play, redirecting a pass from the point by Urban.
VanRiemsdyk put the U.S. back on top 4-3 after another faceoff win in the Phantoms zone, whistling a wrist shot past Zapolski's stick with 3:03 remaining.
It didn't appear that the Phantoms could mount a comeback, after they were forced to kill a penalty late. But after the penalty expired with 35 seconds remaining, the Phantoms forced the puck deep into the U.S. zone and it eventually led to a faceoff in the zone. Maltese won the ensuing draw, which lead to Urban's game-tying goal.
The Phantoms struck first on the power play to open the scoring. Craig Dulman pinched in to pursue a bouncing park in the left wing face off circle. His one timer beat U.S. goaltender Josh Unice off the glove side for a 1-0 lead at the 7:03 mark of the first period. It was Dulman's first goal of the season.
The U.S., 15-5-3, tied it up on a four-on-four situation. After a C.J. Severyn faceoff win, Joe Lavin passed the puck cross ice to defenseman Cade Fairchild. Fairchild's slap shot deflected and redirected off the stick of Phantoms defenseman Bret Larson, past the right skate of goaltender Ryan Zapolski with 3:22 remaining.
The Phantoms, 7-6-1, controlled play and the puck for most of the second period, though they were only able to convert once. After a faceoff in the U.S. zone, Owen Meyer gained possession behind the goal line and fed Maltese. Maltese's pass intended back for Meyer was blocked in front of the net in traffic. As both teams battled in front of the crease, the puck trickled loose to Meyer, who found himself alone to Unice's right. He poked the puck just inside the left post for a 2-1 lead with 5:41 left in the period. The Phantoms outshot the U.S. 20-8 in the middle stanza and 50-39 for the game. Zapolski made 34 saves as his record went to 4-3-1.
The Phantoms now travel to Alpena for the first time this season to face the Ice Diggers at the Northern Lights Arena on Friday and Saturday. Faceoff for both games is at 7:00pm.
North American Hockey League Stories from November 3, 2005
- U.S. National Under-17 Team Tops Phantoms In Shootout - U.S. National Team
- Phantoms fall in overtime - Mahoning Valley Phantoms
- Coles wins co-player of the week award - Owatonna Express
- North Dakota rivalry renewed this weekend - Fargo-Moorhead Jets
- Blackhawks host Roughriders this weekend - Bozeman Icedogs
- Bismarck and Blizzard play a pair of close ones - Bismarck Bobcats
- Cleveland rocks into TC - Traverse City North Stars
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