Phantoms suffer first loss of season

Mahoning Valley concludes its portion of the Showcase today against the Bismarck Bobcats.

BLAINE, Minn. — The Mahoning Valley Phantoms suffered their first loss of the 2008-09 season, 4-3 in a shootout to the Springfield Junior Blues at the NAHL Showcase Saturday.

The Phantoms, now 2-0-1, still gained sole possession of first place in the North Division.

The Phantoms never led but rallied from 2-0 and 3-2 deficits to force overtime.

Jordy Trottier’s second goal of the year, on a power play, made it 2-1 with 13:04 remaining in the second period. Brandon Saad got the assist.

Johnny Meo tied the score with 10:48 to go in the period by putting in a rebound.

Springfield’s Brian Prost made it 3-2 with 16:07 remaining in the third period, but Stefan Salituro of the Phantoms tied the score with 6:14 to go on assists by Doug Clifford and Kyle Verbeek.

After a scoreless overtime, the Junior Blues got shootout goals from Trent Frey and Mike Schaber and goalie Matt Wichorek stopped four Phantoms shots.

Jon Gaffney and Frey scored earlier goals for the Junior Blues, who were outshot 39-24 by the Phantoms.

The Phantoms shut out the Blues on eight power play opportunities.

Mahoning Valley went 1-for-9 in power play chances in a game filled with penalties; the two teams combined for 58 penalty minutes in a 65 minute game.

The Phantoms conclude their portion of the Showcase today at 1:45 p.m. against the Bismarck Bobcats.

Thursday night the Phantoms defeated the North Iowa Outlaws, 4-1.

Trottier, Saad, Brian McGinty and Alex Lippincott scored goals for the Phantoms.

Stefan Salituro added a pair of assists, while Cullen Lundholm, Meo, Erik Higby and Doug Clifford all had one.

Jordan Tobbett had 20 saves to pick up the win.

The Phantoms scored three goals in the first period, from McGinty, Trottier and Saad, to lead 3-1.

Lippincott closed the scoring with 11:19 remaining in the game.