IceDogs and penalties overpower Phantoms

While Bozeman capitalized on two-man advantages, Mahoning Valley couldn't.
BLAINE, Minn. -- The Mahoning Valley Phantoms were bullied by the Bozeman IceDogs, who scored twice with a two-man advantage, to defeat the Phantoms 4-1 Thursday at the North American Hockey League Showcase.
Aside from a couple puck redirections that just missed the net, neither team created any real scoring chances in the first period. Then the Bozeman power play took over.
The Phantoms were forced to kill a roughing penalty against Marc Menzione with 12:50 left in the second period. Less than a minute later, the momentum dramatically shifted. Already shorthanded, Phantoms defenseman Dennis Urban was whistled for a double-minor penalty for checking from behind in addition to a game ejection. The Phantoms were now down two men for 1 minute, 4 seconds.
They successfully killed Menzione's penalty but were still down a man for nearly another three minutes with Urban's infraction. Then, just 41 seconds later Anthony Ciraulo was punished two minutes for high-sticking, giving Bozeman another two-man advantage. Eleven seconds later, Mark Columbus scored all alone in front to break the scoreless tie.
Punishment continues
Because there were four seconds remaining in the first of Urban's two minor penalties, only those seconds were removed as a result of the goal. That meant Bozeman's two-man power play continued for another 1:49.
Bozeman took advantage, adding to its lead just 30 seconds later. Defenseman Brian Moore, who assisted on Columbus' goal, scored in nearly the same spot for a 2-0 lead at the 10:26 mark.
After Matt Atsoff was caught for high-sticking with 3:21 remaining in the period, the IceDogs scored their third power-play goal. On a two-on-one break, Moore saucered a pass cross-ice to Cody Omilusik, who sent a rising wrist shot over the left shoulder of Phantoms goaltender Bryce Merriam for a 3-0 lead at 17:26. Bozeman's Jameson Raymond added an even strength goal at 18:52.
The Phantoms started the third period with a power play of their own and converted in 26 seconds when Menzione found Brent Dexter alone in front of the net.
The Phantoms (4-5-0) had four additional power plays, including a two-man advantage with 1:53 remaining, but couldn't capitalize.