Phantoms vs. Lowell Devils 12-19-08: Second Period

When Giroux is with Ross and Kane, he is on the wing and Ross takes the faceoffs. However, I noticed that when he is with the first PP unit tonight, Kane and Laliberte, it's Giroux taking the faceoffs. That made me do a double-take when the period began and I noticed Giroux in the faceoff circe.

We have had a largely interruption-free second period so far. With eight and a half minutes gone, the Devils' penalty came to an end without incident and there have been no additional infractions called against either side. We did have one extended period where Munroe had to be on his toes, as we couldn't seem to get the flipping puck out of our zone for love or money. Fortunately, we withstood that flurry, and shortly thereafter we came up with a scoring opportunity of our own. Kalinsky charged the net with the puck and shot point-bank. Oh, if only there had been a rebound, he would have been in perfect position to put it in, as the goalie was flat on the ice. However, the netminder activated his Gravitational Field, and absorbed the shot.

But within a shift or two, the Phantoms extended the lead to 3-1 on a nice sequence. Szwez tallied the goal, with assists to Raduns and Syvret.

Unfortunately, the drattted Devils aren't going to just Go Away Quietly. Not long after that, Rheaume-of-the-high-elbow, AKA the brother of Manon Rheaume, scored, assisted by former Phantom Rosario Ruggeri. 3-2, and our lead was back down to one.

Well, the Phantoms and Kalinski in particular aren't Going Away Quietly, either. Within moments, Kalinski took the puck and fired it on net, and this time there was no time for Frazee's Gravitational Field to kick in. The puck found the twine, and the Phantoms' two-goal lead was restored. 4-2, Good Guys. :) The goal was unassisted.

With 6:47 remaining in the second period, the Phantoms lead on the shot clock, 18-16.

Someone just sprinted up the tunnel with an equipment guy following close on his heels. I didn't see what number was on his jersey, but as long as it was an equipment guy and not the trainer, I'm not worried.

The second period has ended with the Phantoms leading 4-2, and leading on the shot clock 22-19. For the first time in a couple of games, we spent the final minute of a period going into an intermission without having a penalty called on either team. So we'll start the third period at even strength.