Phantoms Hold Off Machine, Win 5-3
January 9, 2009 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Mahoning Valley Phantoms News Release
YOUNGSTOWN, OH (Friday, January 9th, 2009) - The Mahoning Valley Phantoms survived a late rally by the visiting Motor City Machine, holding off the Machine for a 5-3 win at the Chevrolet Centre Friday night.
Nick Kenney continued to lead the Phantoms' offensive charge, scoring twice for his fourth and fifth goals in the last four games. After the game, Kenney said the biggest reasons for his recent success were his two linemates.
"Going out there on that line with Jordy Trottier and Nick Shkreli has been great," said the reigning North Division Player of the Week. "I love playing with these guys. We're clicking really well right now."
Phantoms forward Brandon Saad, fresh off a bronze medal with Team USA at the World Under-17 Challenge in Vancouver, also netted a pair of goals including the game-winner in his triumphant return to the Chevrolet Centre after missing the last five Phantoms games.
Even with his two-goal outburst Friday, Saad was focused more on the other end of the ice.
"Our offense is doing a great job filling the scoresheet right now," said the World Under-17 First-Team All-Tournament selection, "but I think if we, as forwards, can buckle down more in the defensive end, this team is going to go a long way."
Garrett Bartus continued his recent hot streak in net, turning back 16 of 19 Machine shots on his way to his fourth straight win. The third-year Phantom's record improved to 7-4-2 on the 2008-2009 campaign.
The Phantoms struck first on Saad's 12th goal of the season when he caromed a shot off Machine netminder Matthew Delaney just 2:24 into the game.
Motor City answered 13 minutes later when David Formanek redirected a Kevin Bechard shot past Bartus to tie the game at one.
The Phantoms and Machine opened the second period by trading power play goals. Cole Schneider gave the Phantoms a 2-1 lead off a Johnny Meo rebound before Ryan Misiak fired home a Jared Williams centering feed to re-tie the game.
Five minutes later, Kenney would put Mahoning Valley up to stay while on the power play, slamming a Nick Shkreli centering pass behind Delaney for a 3-2 Phantoms advantage with 9:23 left in the second period. The goal was the second of the period for Mahoning Valley with the man-advantage.
Saad capped the scoring in the middle frame, tapping his own rebound past Delaney with 5:57 remaining in the second.
Motor City clawed back into the game when Misiak's second goal of the night closed the game to 4-3 with 1:52 left in regulation, but Kenney dashed any comeback hopes with an empty net goal with 29.6 seconds to go.
Kenney expressed relief over being able to hit the open cage.
"Shkreli hit me wide open with a nice pass in front," said the smiling Wixom, MI, native, "and thank God I hit the net."
Delaney stopped 35 Phantoms shots as his record for Motor City dropped to 1-4-0 on the season.
The Phantoms and Machine will wrap up their two-game series at the Chevrolet Centre Saturday night at 7:15 PM.
As part of the game, the Phantoms will be hosting Mario Lemieux Foundation Night, an event featuring raffles and auctions to help fund the Foundation's commitment to cancer research.
Following the contest, the Phantoms will auction off the special edition Mario Lemieux Foundation jerseys that they will be wearing against the Machine on Saturday.
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North American Hockey League Stories from January 9, 2009
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- Phantoms Hold Off Machine, Win 5-3 - Mahoning Valley Phantoms
- Rangers Upend T.C. - Marquette Rangers
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