Wednesday, March 22, 2006
Penalties hampered the Phantoms in a 5-2 setback on the road.
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- James Lavin scored two power play goals as the U.S. National Under-17 Team scored three times with the man advantage to defeat the Mahoning Valley Phantoms, 5-2, in a North American Hockey League game Tuesday.
The U.S. team (37-14-5) clinched the North Division regular-season title and will play host to Traverse City (Mich.) in the opening round of the playoffs.
The Phantoms (34-18-4) trail Cleveland by two points for second place in the division. The Phantoms and the Barons will meet in the other divisional semifinal, but it is yet to be determined who will have home-ice advantage.
Penalties hamper Phantoms
The Phantoms dug themselves a hole early with penalties. Craig Dulman was whistled at 1:18 and U.S. team took advantage. With traffic in front, Joe Lavin floated a wrist shot from the high slot that deflected off a Phantom and dropped past goalie Ryan Zapolski at the 2:28 mark.
Later in the period, while the Phantoms were trying to kill another penalty, they were unable to clear a loose puck in front of their net and Dennis Urban was called for cross-checking, giving the U.S. team a two-man advantage.
At 5:16 of the period, Philip McRae scored to make it 2-0.
But the Phantoms' scored a short-handed goal, his third of the season and eighth overall, at 15:51 to cut the deficit in half.
The Phantoms carried the momentum into the second period, tying the score just 2:22 in by Bret Larson. Two minutes later, the Phantoms nearly struck again. Mike Maltese blocked a U.S. clearing attempt on the left point. He skated around two players into the slot. As Unice moved laterally to stay square with Maltese, he collided with a teammate and fell; leaving Maltese an open net. But a U.S. defenseman crashed into the net, dislodging it off its moorings just before Maltese's shot went in. The referee ruled no goal, despite the Phantoms' plea that the net was intentionally disconnected.
U.S. back in command
Shortly thereafter, the U.S. regained the lead. Richard Manley made it 3-2 at the 5:35 mark.
The U.S. extended its lead on a 4-on-3, as Lavin scored on the power play to make it 4-2.
The Phantoms had two power play opportunities in the third period, but were unable to register any quality shots on those occasions. The U.S. put it away when James vanRiemsdyk softly redirected Manley's centering pass inside the near left post for his 16th goal of the season with 2:04 left.
The Phantoms out-shot the U.S., 30-27, as Unice made 25 saves. The two teams will conclude the regular season Friday and Saturday at The Ice Zone. Both games begin at 7 p.m.