Phantoms Gain First Place with Shootout Loss
September 19, 2008 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Mahoning Valley Phantoms News Release
BLAINE, MN (Friday, September 19th, 2008) - The Mahoning Valley Phantoms dropped their first decision of the young 2008-2009 campaign, suffering a 4-3 shootout loss to the Springfield Junior Blues but gained sole possession of first place in the North Division.
The Phantoms never led through the course of the game, erasing deficits of 2-0 and 3-2 in forcing overtime for the first time this season. Jordy Trottier's second goal of the year came on a laser from the point on the power play, cutting the Phantoms' early deficit to 2-1.
Johnny Meo tied the game late in the second after snapping a loose rebound past Junior Blues goaltender Matt Wichorek after a Brandon Saad centering feed created a scrum in front of the net.
After a Brian Prost even strength tally put Springfield in front 3-2, the Phantoms answered with 7:14 left in the game as Kyle Verbeek lined a perfect centering feed to Stefan Salituro, who wired it past Wichorek for his first goal of the year. With the tally Salituro is tied with Erik Higby for the team lead with 3 points.
After a scoreless overtime period, Wichorek shut down four straight Phantoms shooters to drop Mahoning Valley to 2-0-1 on the season.
The point gained for the overtime loss moves the Phantoms ahead of Team USA Under-17 (2-1-0) in the North Division standings, as the Nationals dropped a 5-2 decision to Alaska earlier Friday.
A big bright spot for the Phantoms was the penalty killing unit, which shut out the Blues on 8 power play opportunities.
Mahoning Valley went 1-for-9 in power play chances in a game filled with penalties; the two teams combined for 58 penalty minutes in a 65 minute game.
The Phantoms wrap up their stay in Blaine at 1:45 on Saturday afternoon as they face the Bismarck Bobcats.
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North American Hockey League Stories from September 19, 2008
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- Phantoms Gain First Place with Shootout Loss - Mahoning Valley Phantoms
- U.S. National Under-17 Team Falls to Alaska, 5-2 - U.S. National Team
- U.S. National Under-18 Team Tops Fairbanks, 7-4 - U.S. National Team
- Jr. Blues Beat Alpena in Showcase - Springfield Jr. Blues
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