GAme 3 notebook

GAme 3 notebook

Special teams: Three of the Phantoms goals were scored during their seven power-play chances, The Saints failed to cash in during their six power-play chances. The biggest sequence came late in the second period when the Saints had the man-advantage for 5:56. “It was a momentum stealer,” Phantoms head coach Anthony Noreen said. “I thought we pushed the pace, we were physical. They kind of got us back into our best mentality — aggressive on the penalty kill. Sometimes when we are playing a good game, the penalty kill can put us over the edge. I thought that’s what it did against an excellent power play.”

Schedule: If necessary, Game 5 will be played on Saturday at the Mystique Community Ice Center in Dubuque. The winner of this series will face the Sioux Falls-Fargo winner. Their series is tied 1-1 and resumes on Thursday.

Ice issues: Warmer temperatures had an effect in the ice. The game was delayed for a couple of minutes before the second period to give the resurfaced ice more time to freeze. Still, Luke Stork fanned on a shot as the puck’s glide was slowed by water. Moments later, the officials patched a gash at center ice. The start of the third period also was delayed.

Strong effort: Noreen was impressed with how his players didn’t wilt after trailing 3-1. “Proud of the effort — that’s probably as good as an effort as we’ve put in all year. We’re fighting for our life,” Noreen said. “That’s what we do — we’ve come from behind all year. I give Dubuque credit — they put in one helluva gutsy effort, too — just a good hockey game.”

Collapse: The Fighting Saints lost just 11 times in the regular season and swept Muskegon in three games in their opening round. Monday’s game was the first of the season in which the Saints gave up a two-goal lead in the third period and lost. In Game 3 against Muskegon, the Saints also lost a two-goal lead late but won in overtime.

NHL ties: Dubuque forward Peter Quenneville is a cousin of Chicago Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville. Forward John Stevens is the son of Los Angeles Kings assistant coach John Stevens, who used to be the head coach of the Philadelphia Flyers and a studio analyst for NBC Sports.

Tom WilliamsSDHp