Phantoms squander 2-1 lead in third, falter to Alpena, 3-2

ALPENA, Mich. — Alpena forward Mike Degrazia tallied three assists and the Ice Diggers scored two goals in a span of 90 seconds midway through Saturday’s third period to steal a 3-2 win from the Mahoning Valley Phantoms.

With the Phantoms up 2-1 in the final frame, Alpena’s Carl Neilsen tied the game on the power play on a shot from the left point at 7:53.

Erik Peterson then picked up a rebound and fired one over the shoulder of Phantoms goaltender Garrett Bartus for the game-winner at 9:23.

After sitting out the first six games of the year due to injury and illness, veteran Phantoms forward Alden Hirschfeld opened the scoring about seven minutes into the game.

Alpena was able to answer on the power play. Jon Puskar picked up a drop pass from Carl Neilsen and slotted the equalizer behind Phantoms goalie Garrett Bartus at 15:43 to tie it at 1-1 heading into the first intermission.

Mahoning Valley regained the lead 7:08 into the second. Scott Moser jumped on a loose puck in the slot and caught Nate Pellegrino out of the net. Moser notched his team-leading sixth goal of the season on the play, giving the Phantoms a 2-1 lead after two periods.