Hockey: Phantoms Crush Rams

WEST CHESTER-Goaltender Kyle Hutchinson turned away 14 shots, recording his first career shut out as the Phantoms beat Harriton 6-0 at the Iceline Quad Rinks complex late Friday night in ICHSL action.

Phoenixville (8-6) set the tone early as Phantoms' captain Corey Smith, currently third in the Tri-County League in scoring with 14 goals and 10 assists, scored twice and assisted on another goal in the first 25 minutes of playing time.

The Phantoms capitalized on the Rams' inability to clear the puck out of their own end, forcing Harriton to take foolish penalties—eight for the game—allowing Phoenixville’s Patrick Murphy to score a power-play goal just three minutes into the contest.

“We have been playing really well together,” said Smith, a senior. “This is our third blow-out in a row, which feels great to know all of our work is paying off. [Hutchinson] was sharp in the net tonight and our defense just didn’t give them anything. We played the last five minutes to make sure he got the shut out. He deserved it."

The Phantoms' defense did not allow rebounds to be redirected past Hutchinson, as they suffocated any Rams player with any idea of picking up any trash around the crease.

“Our job on defense is make sure [Hutchinson] sees the puck,” said co-captain Eric Schwagerl. “We try to establish ourselves physically every game. Tonight were able to prevent any breakdowns in our end and [Hutchinson] was solid.”

The Phantoms limited Harriton’s scoring chances and allowed only 14 shots for the entire contest while peppering Rams goaltender Max Myers with 37 shots on goal.

“I have total confidence in my defense,” said sophomore goaltender Hutchinson. “They had a couple of chances late, but I knew if I took care for the first shot that my D would handle any rebounds. It’s pretty cool having my first shut out.”

Phoenixville’s Matt Hackman closed out the scoring, stripping the puck then motoring in on a shorthanded break away beating Myers top shelf on his right shoulder.

“We played really well tonight,” said Head Coach Denny Mullin, in his eleventh season. “The kids were really fired up and played really hard. Honestly, this is one of our best efforts of the year so far. I was very proud of the way we stayed focused when we had the big lead and didn’t let up.”

Phoenixville is currently in second place in the Tri-County League, two points behind division leader Lower Merion, who the Phantoms will square off against next Friday night at Center Ice in Oaks at 9:45 p.m. Hutchinson improved upon his 83.16 save percentage and 4.60 GAA with the blanking of the Rams. 

Brett Sommerville (9 goals, 6 assists) and Chris Mullen (5 goals, 8 assists) are among the league's scoring leaders.

The Phantoms, like the other ice hockey teams in the area, are not funded or supported by the school. The club is self sustaining, relying on sponsors and many fundraisers to compete in a very equipment intensive sport.

For more information on Phoenixville ice hockey club, schedules, stats and rosters click on http://www.icshl.org/