Phantoms fall to Marquette, 5-2

By Greg Gulas

Chad Pietila’s two goals led the Rangers past Mahoning Valley at the Chevrolet Centre.

YOUNGSTOWN — Chad Pietila scored two goals as the Marquette Rangers toppled the Mahoning Valley Phantoms, 5-2, Friday in North American Hockey League action at the Chevrolet Centre.

Pietila’s linemate and cousin, Aaron Pietila, added a goal and two assists while goalie Kevin Kissaw turned back 38 Mahoning Valley shots.

“We’re growing as a team right before our very eyes,” Rangers coach Kenny Miller said. “We have a new coach and just seven remaining players from last season so you can say that we are a relatively new bunch working and growing together.

“We’ve been playing really well of late, having won four in a row and six of our last eight outings,” Miller said. “We’ve had success because of the play of both [Kevin] Kissaw and Dan Sullivan.

“Kissaw has been the winning goalie during our four-game winning streak for a reason, because he gives us a chance to win each time he’s in net.

“That is all we ask of our goalies; just give us a chance to win,” Miller said.

Chad Pietila got the Rangers (15-13-4, 34 points) on the board first at the 6:41 mark of the opening period on an assist from his cousin, the goal his team-leading 12th netter of the season which staked the Rangers to the early goal advantage.

When Collin Smith added his fourth tally of the year with 44 seconds remaining in the period, the Rangers took a 2-0 lead to the locker room.

“It was three weekends ago that Coach [Miller] paired Aaron [Pietila] and I back up on the same line and we’ve been clicking ever since,” Pietila said.

“Add Dustin Partacz to the mix and you can see why we have been so successful over the past month of the season.

“Kissaw was absolutely great for us tonight in goal,” Pietila said.

“He made some huge stops early in the game until we scored, and then held the Phantoms off in order for us to add to our lead,” Pietila said.

Mahoning Valley cut the Marquette lead in half on a goal by Cole Schneider at 6:37 of the second period.

But when Garrett Ladd found the back of the net about two minutes later the Rangers increased their lead to 3-1.

Aaron Pietila’s goal at 14:13 of the final frame gave Marquette a 4-1 lead. Chad Pietila added his second score 49 seconds later.

Mahoning Valley’s Jordy Trottier closed out the scoring at 16:35 with his 10th goal of the season.

The Phantom dropped to 16-7-2 (34 points) and into a second-place tie in the North Division with the Rangers.

“Our entire defense has been playing great while our offense has been able to score, allowing us to work with a lead,” Kissaw said. “That has been the key to our recent success.

“We just keep looking forward and working hard and that has really paid off for us,” Kissaw said.

The Phantoms outshot the Rangers, 40-24 including 24-9 in the final 20 minutes.

Mahoning Valley went 0 for 5 on the power play while Marquette was 2 of 6, including one goal when faced with a two-man advantage.

Mahoning Valley and Marquette return to the ice tonight for the final game of their two-game series. Game time is 7:15 p.m.