Three-win weekend vaults Phantoms into first place
December 9, 2004 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Mahoning Valley Phantoms News Release
The Youngstown Phantoms began the weekend three points out of first place in the NAHL's North Division. After they defeating the Cleveland Barons 3-1 at the Iceland USA Arena for their third victory in three days, they led the division by three points, the first time they have led the division in franchise history.
Youngstown had vaulted over the U.S. National Team into the top spot by defeating them 3-2 and 5-3 on Friday night and Saturday night respectively on home ice at The Ice Zone in Boardman.
Two third-period goals by Mike Maltese (pictured above) sparked the 3-2 Friday night win over the USNTDP. The game was scoreless after one period, thanks in part to Team USA goaltender Joseph Palmer, who stopped 16 Phantoms' shots, including a breakaway opportunity by Anthony Ciraulo. Danny O'Brien opened the scoring at the 11:16 mark of the second period, giving Team USA a 1-0 lead. But in the final minute of that period, Phantoms' defenseman Drew Fortney beat Palmer, who was screened in front, to tie it at 1-1 at 19:10. The goal snapped the Phantoms' scoreless streak of 144 minutes and 37 seconds, since they had last scored at 14:33 of the first period in a 2-1 win against the Soo Indians last Friday.
At 2:54 of the third period, Maltese gave the Phantoms a 2-1 lead when his centering pass was blocked and redirected right back to him, and he then fired a wrist shot over Palmer's right shoulder. The lead lasted less than five minutes as Danny Fardig jammed the puck past Phantoms' goaltender Jerry Kuhn at 7:49, tying the game at 2-2.
Then with 4:05 remaining, Maltese came across the right face-off circle before firing a quick wrist shot that beat Palmer over his left shoulder for the game-winning goal. It was Maltese's third goal of the season.
"This is what we've come to expect from Mike Maltese, and we'll see more of the same as he continues to mature," said Phantoms' head coach and general manager Bob Mainhardt.
The Phantoms survived a late surge by Team USA, including a power play in the final 1:32. The visitors pulled Palmer for an extra attacker and had a six-on-four advantage in the final minute, but Kuhn made four saves to preserve the win and improve his personal record to 9-4-1. The Phantoms outshot Team USA, 39-23.
On Saturday, the Phantoms made history by gaining sole possession of first place, registering a 5-3 victory over the USA Team. A hat trick by Aaron Rhyner helped the Phantoms leapfrog over Team USA into the top spot as Youngstown jumped out in front early, scoring two goals in the first six minutes of the contest. Maltese, who notched a pair the night before, got the Phantoms on the scoreboard at the 1:05 mark of the opening period when he knocked the rebound of an Owen Meyer shot past Palmer. Then a breakaway goal by Rhyner at 5:54 increased Youngstown's lead to 2-0.
Michael Carman of Team USA scored a power play goal at 8:49 of the second period to make it a 2-1 contest before Rhyner added his second goal of the night -- also on a power play -- at the 10:56 mark to restore the Phantoms' two-goal cushion. The visitors cut the lead to 3-2 on a Patrick Kane tally at 12:43, then Meyer scored off an assist from Maltese at 17:43 to make it 4-2 Youngstown.
In the final period, Team USA pulled to within a goal for the third time when Danny Fardig scored shorthanded at the 8:47 mark to make the score 4-3. However, there was no further scoring for either side until Rhyner completed his hat trick with an empty-net goal with 10 seconds left in the contest. The left winger from Anchorage, Alaska, now leads the Phantoms in goals with 15.
Kuhn made 33 saves to improve his personal record to 10-4-1 as the shots on goal were even -- 36 for each team.
Rhymer stayed hot on Sunday, scoring the first goal of the game came with 20 seconds remaining in the second period on a power play, with assists from Rob Rassey and Anthony Canzoneri. The Phantoms' power play clicked again early in the final period when Rassey scored at 5:31 as Canzoneri and Jeremy Smith picked up assists.
Youngstown goaltender Tommy O'Brien, who made 30 saves on the afternoon, lost his bid for a shutout with 1:18 left when Cleveland's Steve Silver scored to make it a 2-1 contest. The Barons pressed for the tying goal in the closing minute, but the Phantoms iced the game and solidified their hold on the top spot with an empty-net tally by Menzione with 12 seconds left.
Youngstown and Cleveland will meet again next weekend in a home-and-home series. The two teams will square off at The Ice Zone in Boardman on Saturday, December 11 at 7:00 p.m. and at the Iceland USA Arena in Strongsville on Sunday, December 12 at 3:30 p.m. Tickets for the Saturday night game -- and all Phantoms' home games -- are available by calling (330) 965-7500 or visiting The Ice Zone, located at 360 McClurg Rd. Tickets are also available at the door.
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North American Hockey League Stories from December 9, 2004
- Bighorns notch record seventh straight win - Helena Bighorns
- Ringing in the season - Bismarck Bobcats
- Ribiero's breakout weekend earns Sher-Wood NAHL Offensive Player of the Week honors - Springfield Jr. Blues
- Tornado fight back for two wins despite Friday loss - Texas Tornado
- Jets Alaska trip ends with two wins, plenty of memories - Fargo-Moorhead Jets
- Indians still under construction - Soo Indians
- Wildcats drop a pair - Wichita Falls Wildcats
- Blizzard win two on Montana trip - Alexandria Blizzard
- Three-win weekend vaults Phantoms into first place - Mahoning Valley Phantoms
- USNTDP players 'equal' to the pros - Yzerman - U.S. National Team
- Kessel, 13 NAHL alumni to help defend world junior title - NAHL
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