THE ICE ZONE Phantoms victorious in shootout

Goalie Zapolski blocked 35 North Star shots.
By GREG GULAS
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
BOARDMAN -- Mike Maltese and Matt Atsoff each scored a goal while Ryan Zapolski stopped all four North Star shots during the shootout session, lifting the Mahoning Valley Phantoms to a 6-5, come-from-behind victory over Traverse City in North American Hockey League action last night at The Ice Zone.
"This was a very physical game by both teams. We're two hard-working squads, and both are relentless on the ice," said Phantom head coach Bob Mainhardt, whose team improved to 15-9-2 (32 points).
"[Ryan] Zapolski is Zapolski. He always seems to come up big for us when we need it most, and we definitely needed it tonight at shootout time.
"We're to the point right now where we can count on four lines -- lines that we can roll with throughout the course of a game. Our depth is on display, and that is a pretty good feeling. This was a great win for us tonight."
The North Stars (9-13-4, 22 points) are winless in their last eight outings (0-6-2).
"This was a shootout before the shootout," said North Star head coach Scott Gardner. "Over our last eight games, our special teams play has hurt us, namely our power-play and penalty-kill units.
"To get off the bus after an eight-hour ride and perform like we did tonight, we'll take that. Now, hopefully we'll get a good night's rest and go back at it again [tonight]."
Intense contest
It didn't take the Phantoms long to get on the board as Craig Dulman's slap shot rippled the net just 48 seconds into the game.
Milan Drevenak's goal at 13:04 increased the Phantom lead to 2-0, but Patrick Nagorsen's first of two goals on the night for the North Stars at 7:21 cut the Phantom margin to 2-1 after the first 20 minutes of play.
Steven Oleksy's goal for the North Stars at 13:08 of the second period, the only goal by either team in the period, knotted the game at two goals apiece, and when he added another tally at the 16:15 mark of the final stanza, Traverse City had its first lead, 3-2.
The teams then combined for six goals (three by each team) in the final period. Maltese's ninth goal tied the game at 3, and when Anthony Ciraulo added his 12th goal of the year at 13:41, the Phantoms reclaimed the lead, 4-3.
The North Stars then knotted the game at 4 just 37 seconds later on a Matthew Larke goal, and when Nagorsen registered his second goal of the evening at 7:56, Traverse City reclaimed the lead, 5-4.
It didn't take the Phantoms' Marc Menzione long to tie the game for the fourth time.
Securing win
After a scoreless overtime period, the shootout started with Oleksy failing in his shot wide right for the North Stars.
Maltese's shot, however, would find the net for a 1-0 Phantom advantage.
Zapolski then rejected Larke's attempt, but Menzione could not register for the Phantoms on their second try, leaving the Phantoms still up by a goal.
Adam Sponseller was then denied by Zapolski as well, and when Atsoff penetrated the crease with his shot, the Phantoms had a two-goal advantage.
Zapolski then turned back the North Stars' Jared Mullen to seal the victory for the Phantoms.
Mahoning Valley won for the third straight time over Traverse City, improving to 6-0-1 in seven outings at The Ice Zone this season.
The Phantoms held a 57-43 shot advantage as Zapolski rejected 35 North Star attempts, improving to 12-5-2 overall this season when in goal. The teams will play tonight at 7.