Phantoms Rally for Overtime Win
February 28, 2005 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Mahoning Valley Phantoms News Release
Ann Arbor, Michigan (Monday, February 28, 2005) â Aaron Rhyner's 31st goal of the season with 2:37 remaining in overtime gave the Youngstown Phantoms an exciting 4-3 win over the U.S. National Under-17 Team in North American Hockey League (NAHL) action at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube on Sunday.
Rhyner's wrist shot from the right wing trickled under the right arm of U.S. goaltender Joseph Palmer. Anthony Canzoneri stuffed the puck in as it slid towards the goal line, but Rhyner was given credit for the tally and his third game-winning goal of the season. Rhyner's 31 goals rank him second in the NAHL and capped off a four-point afternoon, as he assisted on the Phantoms three goals in regulation.
At first, it appeared that Youngstown was in for a long day. Patrick Kane scored just five seconds into a U.S. power play, giving them a 1-0 lead. As both teams battled for a faceoff win, Kane took the loose puck in the right wing circle, navigated through traffic and slid the puck by the left post past Tommy O'Brien with 4:46 remaining in the first period. The lead grew to 2-0 just 1:21 later on a turnover in the Phantoms' zone. Blake Geoffrion was tied up in the center slot, but managed a slow backhand that caught O'Brien off guard and glided under his pads, as the U.S. had an early two goal lead, much like they did the previous night. But the Phantoms regrouped, and then some, to start the second period.
On a delayed penalty against the U.S., Rob Rassey fought to keep the puck alive in the U.S. zone by maintaining possession. He backhanded a pass back to Jeremy Smith on the right point. Smith fired a rising wrist shot in traffic, beating Palmer in the left corner just 51 seconds into the period to get Youngstown on the scoreboard. The U.S. quickly countered, but O'Brien had other things in mind.
Less than a minute after Smith's goal, Chris Atkinson took a long pass on the blue line and skated in alone on a breakaway. He quickly moved to his right, changed to his backhand and flipped the puck, only to have O'Brien extend his glove and rob him of a goal. It further added to the Phantoms momentum.
Minutes later, off a turnover outside the U.S. blue line, Canzoneri skated with the puck down the left wing on a two-on-one. As Canzoneri coasted in, a U.S. defenseman anticipated a cross-ice pass, giving the Phantoms forward a better angle for a shot. He also beat Palmer high on the stick side and tied the game at the 6:13 mark. O'Brien and the Phantoms were then forced to kill three power plays before breaking the tie in the third period on their first man advantage of the game.
After Rhett Rakhshani's high-stick grazed Owen Meyer in the face, Youngstown capitalized just 11 seconds into the power play. Off a faceoff win by Rassey, Smith fed Rhyner on the right-wing goal line. Rhyner paused and fired a perfect pass across the goal crease to Rassey's stick, which was parked in front of the left post. He slammed the puck past Palmer's right skate and the Phantoms had a 3-2 lead at 6:07 of the period.
Later, with a faceoff in the Youngstown zone, the U.S. called a timeout to run a set play and tied the game as a result. After both teams fought for possession, the U.S. gained the puck and cycled behind the left-wing goal line. Greg Squires took a pass behind the net, stopped and changed directions, fooling everyone on the play. He slipped a backhand just past O'Brien's left skate for a 3-3 game with 6:25 remaining in regulation, forcing the extra session.
The Phantoms dominated overtime, outshooting the U.S. 6-1, though they were outshot 40-37 for the game. O'Brien made 37 saves and improved his record to 7-5-1.
The Phantoms are now 23-20-3, 49 points, and three points ahead of the Fairbanks Ice Dogs for third place in the NAHL North Division. With the overtime loss, the U.S. (29-13-2, 60 points) is two points behind the Soo Kewadin Indians for first place. Youngstown and the Indians will faceoff this Friday and Saturday in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan at the Chi Mukwa Rec Center. Faceoff for both games are 7:00pm.
North American Hockey League Stories from February 28, 2005
- Minnesota Blizzard weekly summary - Alexandria Blizzard
- Tickets on sale March 1st for Pros vs. Prospects game - Texas Tornado
- Wildcats Continue Run at Playoff Spot - Wichita Falls Wildcats
- Jets Return Home After Montana Trip - Fargo-Moorhead Jets
- Phantoms Rally for Overtime Win - Mahoning Valley Phantoms
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