Wilkes-Barre quiets Thunder
May 8, 2009 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Mahoning Valley Phantoms News Release
Youngstown, OH. - Playing on Cortland Banks Field for the first time since the Chevrolet Centre was renamed the Covelli Centre the Mahoning Valley Thunder results remained the same- a loss. Mahoning Valley turned the ball over on their first two offensive snaps and couldn't contain the powerful Pioneers offense, falling 73-37 to Wilkes-Barre. The Pioneers have now defeated Mahoning Valley in all seven series meetings.
Thunder Quarterback Blake Powers fumbled and threw an interception on the first two Mahoning Valley plays from scrimmage allowing Wilkes-Barre to jump out to a 14-0 lead they would never relinquish. Quarterback Ryan Vena was lethal through the air completing 30 of 39 passes for 331 yards and seven touchdowns. Four Vena touchdown tosses found their way into the hands of Wide Receiver J.J. Outlaw who finished with nine grabs. Pioneers Receiver Irving Campbell led all players with 11 receptions good for 139 yards.
Mahoning Valley struggled offensively converting on just 1 of 7 third downs and failing to score a single point in the third quarter. Blake Powers finished 12 for 24 for 114 yards with two touchdown strikes and two turnovers. Powers was replaced in the fourth quarter by Davon Vinson who threw for scores on his only two passes of the evening. Wide Receiver C.J. Brewer caught six passes, two of which were scores. The most telling statistic came via the Red Zone where Mahoning Valley was three for three but couldn't match the Pioneers' nine for nine mark.
With their sixth straight loss Mahoning Valley drops to 1-6 on the season and Wilkes-Barre improves to 6-1. The Thunder has their first of two BYE week's this coming week and return to the field on Friday May 22nd visiting Manchester. That game marks the third straight divisional game for Mahoning Valley. Kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.m.
Score by Quarters 1 2 3 4 Score
Wilkes-Barre Pioneers 14 24 7 28 73 Record: (6-1)
Mahoning Valley Thunder 3 14 0 20 37 Record: (1-6)
LEADERS:
PASSING: VENA, Ryan (WBS) 30-39-331-7; POWERS, Blake (MVT) 12-24-114-2
RECEIVING: OUTLAW, J.J. (WBS) 9-106-4; BREWER, C.J. (MVT) 6-75-2
Russell Offensive Player of the Game: Ryan Vena (WBS)
Aaron's Defensive Player of the Game: Royce Morgan (WBS)
JLS Ironman of the Game: Tim Cheatwood (MVT)
The Big Catch of the Game: J.J. Outlaw (WBS) *2nd Q 36 yard touchdown catch.
Nifty Hit of the Game: Brandon Taylor (MVT) *2nd Q hit on Irving Campbell catch on 1st and 10 with 9:20 to play.
Attendance: 2,509
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North American Hockey League Stories from May 8, 2009
- Wilkes-Barre quiets Thunder - Mahoning Valley Phantoms
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