Phantoms vs. Springfield 11-28-08: Third Period

The first three minutes of this period have been spent playing river hockey. They've been alternating possession and skating from one end of the rink to the other. However, with 16:37 left in the third frame, we have yet to see either team register a shot on goal for the period.

Three and a half minutes later, the Falcons have had two shots, but the Phantoms are still looking to put their first puck on net in the period. We keep trying, but it seems like there are blue jerseys in our way every time we attempt to get something going. I don't know what their coach said during the intermission, but whaver they did to alter their tactics seems to be working. We're having a dog of a time trying to get set up in front of Dubnyk. Of course, the Falcons are having only slightly more success getting anything accomplished in front of Munroe at the moment. As long as we keep it that way, we're in good shape.

Ah, finally. There we are. 9:33 left in the period and Dubnyk has had to freeze a puck. 'Bout darn time. Muny has had to stop three shots.

Ah, a PP. Good -- now maybe we'll help Dubnyk feel like's more involved in the game. ;) Syvret just made a mad dash to the point from way over in the slot, to keep a puck in. Nice wheels! Not much happened early on, but with 24 seconds remaining in our PP, Springfield took another penalty so we have a two-man advantage for the time being. Not that we got a lot done with it. In fact, Corazzini from Springfield got a shorthanded rush, once it was back to 5 on 4, and clanged one off the post. Eeee. Springfield really wants to tie this game -- if we don't get our rears in gear, we are going to regret it. Color me Not Happy; there was a POINT BANK SHOT for us just as we were returning to even strength, and somehow it stayed out. Dagnab it. I thought for sure it was in, but no.

They got us running around, and sure enough, they drew a penalty. Nate Raduns goes to serve his two minutes, and now we really WILL have to bear down. Matsumoto, Powe, Guenin, and Syvret are on for us. Next: Giroux, Ross, Curry, Bartulis. Ross steals it for a shorthanded chance... MAN, is he quick. Meanwhile, Corazzini, the same guy who nearly scored for Springfield, has fallen on his can twice in this PP. I wonder if he's having a skate problem, since it's odd to see guys take two spills on the same shift

We're back at even strength, but it's taking us more time than I'd like to see for us to clear the freaking puck out. Ah, finally. Szwez carries it out. Now I see that with a minute and a half left, Springfield has pulled their goalie. No wonder we couldn't get out. Laliberte win a major foot race for the loose disk, and his shot from the neutral zone JUST misses the dratted net. Oh, so flipping close to icing the cake. At least he didn't ice the puck -- he made darn sure to get to the other side of the red line before he fired that shot.

With 23.7 seconds left, Springfield calls timeout. Our guys on the ice are Szwez, Powe, Guenin, Syvret, and Laliberte. At the last moment, Matsumoto also came out, so now they are trying to figure out who has to go back to our bench. Looks like Szwez went back and Matsumoto is remaining out. The guy taking the draw for Springfield is Potulny. Alll RIIIIGHT... The ENG with 2.9 seconds remaining seals the deal. Credit it to Laliberte, who narrowly missed doing the same thing a little while ago.

And that does it! The good guys win, 4-1!

Incidentally, I really like that they use the Center's original goal horn for Phantoms games. I like that one better than the new, deafening one that the Flyers are using. The old one doesn't sound like any of the other ones I've heard in other NHL games, plus it doesn't hurt my ears.

Stars of the game: #3: Munroe (See? Told ya!) #2: Maroon; #1: DeSantis, who earned his first professional goal in this game!