Phantoms win in overtime
Published on February 17, 2006 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Mahoning Valley Phantoms News Release
Boardman, Ohio - Dennis Urban scored 1:44 into overtime to give the Mahoning Valley Phantoms a 2-1 win over the Springfield Jr. Blues in North American Hockey League (NAHL) action.
With teams skating four-on-four in the extra session, the Phantoms took advantage of the open ice to win the game. Urban took a deflected pass from Tommy Upton on the left point, skated around a Blues forward and was then tied up by a second. Urban cut into the slot, skating on one leg. When he got both hands on his stick, he unleashed a wrist shot over the left glove and shoulder of goaltender Mike Garman for his 11th goal of the season and his sixth game-winning goal, which leads all defensemen.
The Blues converted on their first power play opportunity of the game. With Urban in the box for cross checking, Springfield took advantage of a line change. With the puck sitting on the goal line, a clearing attempt was intercepted in the high slot by Paul Forselius. His one-timer beat Bryce Merriam to give Springfield the 1-0 lead at 10:28 of the opening period. The Blues minimized any high percentage chances for the Phantoms, despite being outshot 19-13 in the period.
The Phantoms, 28-15-4, regathered and controlled the better part of the second period. With a mad scramble in front of the Blues net, Drew Satterley batted down a loose puck with his glove at the top of the crease. His shot was blocked as was Anthony Ciraulo's attempt. but Marc Menzione skated outside of the scrum in front, gathered the loose puck onto his backhand and floated one past a congested pack of players, along with Garman, to tie it at 1-1 just before the net was dislodged from its moorings. Menzione netted his 24th of the season at the 9:55 mark.
Merriam would come up big later in the period, stopping Blues Captain Scott Phelps on a breakaway with a glove save. He also was forced to make six saves in the final two minutes of the period as the Blues, 22-20-3, looked to regain the lead heading in to the locker room; but it remained tied after 40 minutes.
In the third period, the Phantoms controlled the puck and the game for a majority of the period, including a span of seven minutes when they held the Blues without a shot on net. But the Blues fought back and both teams exchanged odd-man breaks. Neither team could get a scoring chance from them and they remained deadlocked after regulation.
In overtime, the Blues had a chance to win it, by Ryan Hernandez's breakaway shot sailed high over the crossbar as Merriam stacked the pads in defending the play. Shortly thereafter, the Phantoms proceeded the puck into the Springfield zone to set up Urban's OT heroics.
Both goaltenders were magnificent in goal; Garman made 47 saves as his record went to 12-11-2. Meanwhile, Merriam stopped 33 shots to improve to 11-5-0 on the season; lowering his goals against average from 3.32 to 3.17.
The Phantoms and the Blues will return to the ice on Saturday for a 7:00pm faceoff.
North American Hockey League Stories from February 17, 2006
- Phantoms win in overtime - Mahoning Valley Phantoms
- Icedogs battle Bighorns tonight - Bozeman Icedogs
- Bighorns, Pepsi Night On Tap - Bozeman Icedogs
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