Phantoms make it 11 in a row
Published on November 25, 2006 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Mahoning Valley Phantoms News Release
MARQUETTE, Mich. - Chris Fairbanks scored a goal and added two assists as the Mahoning Valley Phantoms won their 11th consecutive game with a 5-1 victory over the Marquette Rangers at Lakeview Arena.
The Phantoms power play struck three times and goaltender Ryan Zapolski made 22 saves, as Mahoning Valley, 17-7-1, held their ninth straight opponent to two or fewer goals.
Marquette fell to 9-13-2 and is winless in their last eight games (0-6-2).
"Our winning streak is the result of us maintaining other streaks within our game," Phantoms coach Bob Mainhardt. "Sticking to our plan, not letting up, skating hard and making the right decisions. If you adhere to that, you're going to win more often than not."
The Rangers skated well and forced the puck in the Phantoms zone for most of the first period. Marquette would gather the opening score after the puck deflected into the neutral zone and the Rangers forged ahead with a two-on-one break.
Jake Hauswirth skated with the puck down the left wing. As defenseman Adam Snead narrowed the passing lane, Hauswirth fired a low wrist shot from the left circle past the left skate of Zapolski at the 5:56 mark. The goal was Hauswirth's fifth of the season.
Much like they did on Friday night, the Phantoms used their power play to propel them ahead in the second period.
Miles Winter fed a circle-to-circle pass to Nathan Longpre. Longpre controlled the puck on the right wing and fired a wrist shot that rattled off the inside of the near post and past goaltender Matt Brooker.
Adam Snead also assisted on Longpre's fifth power play goal of the season and ninth overall. With 2:18 gone in the period, the game was tied.
Fairbanks gave the Phantoms a 2-1 lead with six minutes remaining. With Marquette defenseman Nick Condon in the penalty box for interference, Derek Graham found Fairbanks alone on the right point.
Fairbanks waited for teammate Brent Dexter to skate in front of the net to screen Brooker. It worked, as Fairbanks sent a low wrist shot that, like Longpre's score, bounced off the inside of the near post.
For the Phantoms captain, Fairbanks, it was goal number 11 on the season for him.
Mahoning Valley blew the game open early in the third period. Alden Hirschfeld made a beautiful centering pass to a charging Derek Graham. Graham jammed the puck past Brooker at 1:20 for a 3-1 lead and his sixth goal of the season.
Later on the power play, Fairbanks threw a shot from the right point that was redirected in front by Chad Boeckman at 4:49.
Dustin Cloutier finished the scoring at the 10:35 mark. He skated into the left circle and took a goal line pass from Fairbanks for his ninth goal of the season.
For the game, the Phantoms outshot the Rangers 27-23. On the power play, the Phantoms finished 3 for 7 while Marquette was 0 for 6.
Game three of the weekend finale is set for Sunday at 1 p.m. The game will be webcast on www.mvpphantoms.com.
North American Hockey League Stories from November 25, 2006
- Phantoms make it 11 in a row - Mahoning Valley Phantoms
- Three Power-Play Goals Lead Alpena Past U.S. Nat'l Under-17 Team - U.S. National Team
- Alpena wins on the road - Alpena IceDiggers
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