Phantoms vs. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins 2-3-09: Second Period

The Phantoms opened the period with the game's second penalty, but we killed it successfullly. A few minutes later, the Penguins got to kill THEIR first penalty of the game. SOG at the time of the PECOOOO POWER PLAY are even at 11-11. ON the play leading up to the whistle, it was interesting to see Ratchuk, a defenseman, rush the puck all the way to the net, and Clackson, a forward, cover the point on his behalf. Even our rookies know how to be defensively responsible and when to jump into the play.

We didn't score with that man advantage, but not for lack of attempts or opportunities. I'd keep my eye on the Matsumoto/Nodl/Maroon PP grouping. They looked pretty darn interesting out there in the waning moments of the PP, and for a few moments was convinced that they were going to put us ahead.

Matsumoto just took a nice screened shot, with Sirianni Right There to snare any possible rebound, but the Pens' Curry-the-goalie (as opposed to our Curry-the-defenseman) managed to deflect the puck safely away from our guy parked in the crease.

Matsumoto just got sent to the penalty box, however, so we are now killing our third shorthanded situation of the game. Laliberte managed to get a shorthanded scorng chance, but the Pens hauled it back down in front of Munroe. Nodl tried to take tue puck up ice with Raduns, but a Penguin stripped the puck off his stick in the neutral zone and broght it back in. Even so we did clear it out long enough to change our PK unit. Ah, there we are. We're at even strength at 5:32, with the SOG even at 16-16 and the score even at 1-1. Now let's win this defensive-zone faceoff. Nice, Matsumoto. :)
He, Sirianni, and Bellamy are out and are doing their level best to put the puck in. The Pens kept the puck from reaching the net, but even so, that ine did a ot of the proverbial Right Things. Heck, last time I noticed Matsumoto/Sirianni was Friday, and they teamed up for a goal. Let's hope they go on a nice hot streak. :)

With 3:15 remaining in the period, the shots on goal still remain 16-16, which is a testament to both teams' defensive efforts as I was quite surprised to look up and see those numbers. I was sure that at least one puck had reached the net in the past couple of minutes.

Boy, this game is FLYING along. T's onlly 8:19 PM and we are nearly done the second period. That's what happens when there are almost no penalties called. I'm pleased that this referee is letting the teams play. Nothing makes me crazier than seeing the play stoped every ten seconds for another penalty. I guess with the roads being sloppy and with the snow sated to continue overnight (as far as 'm aware), the ref has decided to let the teams control the outcome of the game and not stop play every other minute.

Having said that, LOL, the Phantoms are about to go on the PP with 48.2 seconds left in the period. I actually saw the ref's arm go up AS I was typing the previous paragraph. But hey, we'll take a PECOOOO POWER PLAY here and there. First up, Matsumoto, Sirianni, and Maroon, with Syvret and DeSantis. DeSantis managed to pinch in to the slot but just as he got the puck, a Penguin or two tried to strip it from him; however, the horn sounded to end the period and the point became moot.

At the end of the period, the score is even at 1-1, the SOG are even at 17-17, and the Phantoms will have 1:12 of PP time remaining when the third period begins.