Phantoms sweep Alpena
October 30, 2006 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Mahoning Valley Phantoms News Release
ALPENA, Mich. - Brent Dexter scored the game-winning goal in an overtime shootout, and Ryan Zapolski stopped seven of nine shootout attempts to lead the Mahoning Valley Phantoms to a 5-4 win over the first-place Alpena Ice Diggers on Saturday, winning the shootout 3-2.
With the win, the Phantoms improve to 8-7-1 on the season as they conclude their season-opening 16-game road trip. The Phantoms return to the Ice Zone in Boardman, Ohio, for the team's home opener against the Traverse City North Stars on Friday, Nov. 3rd at 7 p.m.
"We're starting to come around. We have a fourth of the season behind us and we can now focus on this weekend and finally getting the chance to play in front of our fans," Phantoms coach Bob Mainhardt said.
Mahoning Valley grabbed the early lead following a scramble in front of the net. Janis Purins, returning to the lineup after missing the previous five games, poked the loose puck in front of the net for his third goal of the season at the 1:52 mark.
The Ice Diggers would tie the game later on a power play. Positioned behind the net, Justin Stadler, found Eric Roman alone at the top of the crease. Roman jammed the puck between the legs of Ryan Zapolski for his third goal of the season and a 1-1 game with 6:50 remaining. Both teams headed to the first intermission deadlocked.
Alpena, 10-4-1, jumped to a two-goal lead midway through the second period with a pair of goals in a minute and 28 seconds. Taylor Doorlag led a two-on-one break down the right wing. He floated a cross-ice pass to Kerry Bence, who quickly redirected under the right arm of Zapolski for his second goal in as many games.
At 9:01, Mike DeGrazia skated in from the right circle, fanned on his wrist shot before recovering the puck in the left circle. His second attempt beat a screened Zapolski past his left skate for his second goal of the season. But the Phantoms fought back late in the period.
After Alden Hirschfeld missed on a wrist shot in the left circle, Graham picked up the loose puck between the circles and fired his own wrister that beat goaltender Shawn Hunwick with 2:58 to go. The goal was Graham's third in seven games with the Phantoms, as they trailed 3-2 after two periods.
Alpena, 8-0-0 when leading after two periods heading in to the game, regained a two-goal lead when Degrazia scored on the power play at the 8:16 mark of the third period. With a 4-2 lead, the Ice Diggers appeared to be headed for a split of their weekend series.
Once again, the Phantoms rallied, this time with less than five minutes.
Dustin Cloutier skated in from the right wing on a two-on-one. As the Ice Digger defenseman anticipated a pass, Cloutier charged towards the goal and flipped a backhand past Hunwick with 4:43 left in regulation to make it 4-3. Just 39 seconds later, the Phantoms would tie it.
Matt Quigley's shot from the right circle was blocked by Hunwick and trickled back to Quigley on the goal line. Three Ice Diggers chased Quigley for the puck, leaving Miles Winter open as he trailed. Quigley threaded a pass from behind the net past the defenders to Winter, who scored on an identical backhand as Cloutier's.
Winter's fourth goal of the season tied the game at 4-4, as both teams eventually headed to overtime. Alpena and the Phantoms each threw four shots on net in the five-minute extra session, but neither could convert, leading to the shootout. After Dexter scored, Zapolski stopped Marco Ruggeri's attempt to extend the shootout.
"They (Alpena) sent a lot of left-handed shooters at me (during the shootout), which made it a little more difficult since I catch with my left hand," Zapolski said. "I made a couple adjustments and it helped."
Zapolski has now stopped 23 of 27 shootout attempts this season for a save percentage of .852, which ranks third in the NAHL. The Phantoms raise their record to 2-1 in shootout competition.
Mahoning Valley was outshot 36-31. On the power play, the Phantoms were 0 for 3 while the Ice Diggers finished 2 for 7.
Tickets for Friday's home opener are now on sale at the Ice Zone; located at 360 McClurg Rd. Fans can also call (330) 965-7500 for more information.
The Mahoning Valley Phantoms are owned by the B.J. Alan Company- Phantom Fireworks which is headquartered in Youngstown, Ohio.
North American Hockey League Stories from October 30, 2006
- IceDiggers to head to Ann Arbor - Alpena IceDiggers
- Wildcats To Help In Area Food Drive - Wichita Falls Wildcats
- Phantoms sweep Alpena - Mahoning Valley Phantoms
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