Phantoms win Game One
Published on March 31, 2006 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Mahoning Valley Phantoms News Release
Parma, Ohio (Thursday, March 30, 2006) - Ryan Zapolski made 34 saves, including two huge stops in the final period, to give the Mahoning Valley Phantoms a 2-1 win over the Cleveland Barons in game one of their NAHL North Division semifinal.
With 6:14 left in regulation, Zapolski made his biggest save then, on Carter Camper's penalty shot attempt. A couple minutes later, he recovered from his right and slid across to his left to block Tomas Petruska's one-timer towards what was an open net.
Before a mostly pro-Phantoms crowd at Lakefront Lines Arena, the Phantoms got on the board first; thanks to a strong effort from face off to finish. Mike Maltese fought off a tie-up in the face off dot from Aaron Pietila to backhand the puck to Dennis Urban on the left point.
Urban charged in on the wing, and slowly navigated his way into the slot before firing a wrister that bounced off the chest of Barons goaltender Bobby Jarosz. The rebound dropped to his left where Jake Coyle quickly deposited the rebound past Jarosz' left leg at the 8:56 mark of the opening period for a 1-0 lead. The Phantoms would later overcome a seven-minute shotless drought.
The Phantoms, who were 24-5-4 in the regular season when they scored first and 20-2-2 when leading after the first period, lost their lead shortly after a Barons power play expired. With the puck still in the zone and the Phantoms trying to make a line change, Ryan Ward had a Cleveland three-on-one down on the goal line. He centered the puck to Tomas Petruska, who redirected the pass despite being tied up with Craig Dulman. The puck crawled up and over the left shoulder of Zapolski and trickled past the goal line to tie the game at 7:42 of the second period.
But the Phantoms regained the lead following another Barons power play. As the Phantoms changed their fifth skater from the bench, Matt Atsoff controlled the puck in his own zone from the left face off circle and threaded a pass onto the stick of Brent Dexter, who was waiting outside the Cleveland blue line.
Dexter skated in uncontested and snapped a quick shot past the stick side of Jarosz for what proved to be the game-winning goal with 4:58 remaining in the period.
The Phantoms, 25-1-2, when leading after two, fought to add to their one-goal advantage. They had four power play chances, but could not convert. The Phantoms successfully killed all eight power play attempts; including one with 2:52 remaining after Atsoff checked Camper from behind. Shortly after the penalty expired, the Barons removed Jarosz for a sixth attacker. The puck stayed in the Phantoms zone, but the Barons were limited to the perimeter in the final minute. Cleveland out shot the Phantoms 34-26 as Jarosz made 24 saves in the loss.
Game two of the best-of-five series shifts to the Ice Zone in Boardman. Face off for Saturday's game is at 7:00pm.
North American Hockey League Stories from March 31, 2006
- Express Steal Overtime Victory in Opener - Owatonna Express
- U.S. National Under-17 Evens Opening Round Series With Traverse City - U.S. National Team
- USA-17s square series - Traverse City North Stars
- Phantoms win Game One - Mahoning Valley Phantoms
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