The Phantoms first ever C2 winning streak came to an end Saturday, as they fell to the Titans in a close game, 3-2. Steve Nemitz and Brian Heroux got the goals for the Phantoms, but the squad failed to capitalize on plenty of 3rd period power play time.

The Titans got on the board first, just over two minutes into the game, and Nemitz would tie it up with three minutes left in the 1st. The Titans would add another late in the 3rd on a fluke pass that the Titan forward burried for the 2-1 lead. The Titans would stretch the lead to 3-1 on a power play goal midway throught the 2nd period, but Juke Box took one on his own and burried a wrister just over a minute later to cut the lead to one again.

The third period would provide no scoring from either side, but plenty of penalties, mostly by the guys with the funny names on their backs. The Phantoms twice had a 5-on-3 advantage, but couldn't get the tying goal as the Titans goalkeeper stopped all 18 shots the Phantoms got in the period. Marc Massucci finished the game with 29 saves.

Next up for the Phantoms is a familiar foe - the Landsharks, also new to C2 this season. Sunday, 7:45 at Breck.

The Phantoms got their first C2 win ever Sunday, shutting out the Taz Devils 3-0 at the Coliseum. Marc Massucci turned away all 29 shots and the Nemo-Postinghorne-Thole line provided all of the offense needed. Joe Thole got the Phantoms on the board 44 seconds into the game and added another one late in the period. Steve Nemitz got the 2nd goal and the Phantoms were up 3-0 after 1. The rest of the game would be a defensive battle as the Phantoms improved to 1-1 on the season.

It's been a long offseason, with a trip to Vegas for their success last season, a move up to C2, several new faces and a fairly successful showing in the preseason tournament since you last heard from us. The Phantoms season got off to a start Saturday night with high hopes after some scrimmages against fellow C2 teams and a solid showing at the tournament. They quickly realized more work needs to be done as they were outplayed by the Bulldogs.

Before we get to the details on the game, we want to welcome back all of the worldwide faithful readers of the Phantoms web site (Hi Russ!) There hasn't been many (OK, one) updates since last season but they will be plentiful again this season.

You can check out the roster page to meet the new Phantoms - pictures will be coming soon of the newbies. Joining us this year are Andy Bodick (an original Phantoms from the kindergarten year of the Phantoms), Jay Styba (who moonlights as Captain of the C1 Venom), John Bridgeman (who also moonlights as a C1 Captain with the Piranhas), Jim Andrews, Steve Polkinghorne (formerly of Minneapolis Heat fame), Jason and Brian (Jukebox) Heroux. The Heroux brothers are new to the AHA this winter. A lot is expected of these new players this, so feel free to boo them if they start sucking it up.

Back to the opener - while a 7-2 score looks bad, it wasn't quite so much of a blowout. When you take a look at the boxscore, you will need to scroll down a few hundred feet to see the whole thing as apparently opening night was "everyone gets a penalty for free" night in the AHA. USA Hockey recently announced a new initative to cut down on players skating within 3 feet of each other and the AHA refs certainly heard it loud and clear. 26 total penalties were called in the game, with several 5-on-3 chances for both squads.

The penalties were not used as an excuse for the loss by the Phantoms however, sluggish play and costly turnovers did them in. The Phantoms jumped out to the lead when Styba score on (what else?) the power play. The Bulldogs would score the next 7 goals in the game, until Bodick scored late in the game, with an assist from Brian Heroux.

The Phantoms will face another C2 mainstay Sunday, when they face off against the Taz Devils, 7:45 at the Coliseum.