PHANTOMS Snyder lifts Toledo past Youngstown

The Ice Diggers ended their five-game losing streak.
By GREG GULAS
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
BOARDMAN --Tim Snyder's goal at 14:41 of the final period rallied the Toledo Ice Diggers to a 3-2 victory over the Youngstown Phantoms in Junior A, North American Hockey League action Saturday at The Ice Zone.
In what might best be described as the flip-flop of their game the night before, the Ice Diggers (13-28-3) salvaged a split of their weekend series with the Phantoms and in the process ended a season-worst five-game losing streak.
The Phantoms (21-16-7) lost for just the second time in their last six outings as the Ice Diggers ended their modest three-game win streak.
"These were two great hockey games this weekend," Toledo coach Mike Mankowski said.
"Tonight's game was the reverse of yesterday's contest in that we were the team that won the first and third periods, Youngstown taking the second period and thus forcing us to play catch-up," Mankowski said.
"Today's game was much more physical and I really believe that both goaltenders played excellent in then net," Mankowski said.
Back and forth
Toledo took a 1-0 lead when Joe Watson scored at 9:36 of the opening period. That would be the only goal in the first 20 minutes of play as the Phantoms held a 13-11 shots on goal advantage.
Anthony Canzoneri's powerplay goal at 4:07 of the second period, his 12th of the season, knotted the game and when Aaron Rhyner's team-best 19th goal of the year found the net at 9:43, the Phantoms built a 2-1 advantage.
It looked as if the score would remain that way heading into the final period, but Toledo's Dayne Bihn found the net just 27 seconds before the end of the period to tie the game.
"[Dayne] Bihn's goal was a big one for us," Mankowski said. "That was the momentum shift we needed for instead of trailing with one period remaining, the score was tied and it became a new game for us.
"The goal was a direct result of his linemates driving the net. It was a great effort by everyone on the ice at the time."
Snyder's goal with a little more than six minutes remaining proved to be the game winner.
Too many mistakes
"There really isn't much good to say about tonight's game" Phantoms coach Bob Mainhardt said. "We take two steps forward and three steps back and that is unacceptable in a tight game like this.
"We made far too many mistakes tonight and you cannot do that at this point in the season," Mankowski said. "A bright spot was John Murray in goal for us. He showed his maturity and kept us in the game. He deserved a better outcome for his effort."
The Phantoms outshot the Ice Diggers 36-29, with Murray rejecting 26 Toledo shots.
Justin Marriott made 34 saves for the Ice Diggers.
In a schedule adjustment, the Phantoms will play at Cleveland today at 3 p.m.
The Phantoms, USA Under-17 National Team and The Cleveland Barons are the three teams battling for the final two North Division playoff spots.