Phantoms in a Must Win Game Versus Strath Haven

When things are going well, especially when it come to sports, it’s human nature to fall prey to the trap of becoming complacent when you are taking on a challenge that you feel is fairly easy.

Such was the case for the Phoenixville Phantoms ice hockey team as they peered across the ice to see the Pope John Paul II Golden Panthers, a team they had beaten three weeks prior 10 - 0.

Not playing a game in almost 10 days has its own drawbacks, as momentum plays such a large role in any season. That's coupled with the fact that the Phantoms confidence level heading into last Friday’s match up with a winless PJP2 was at an all-time high was a recipe for disaster.

Before the Phantoms had a chance to shake the rust from their skates, they were looking at a 4 - 0 deficit on the scoreboard at the in Oaks.

“We just didn’t show up,” said captain Corey Smith. “We thought we had them beat before we took the ice and just didn’t play our game. They beat us offensively, defensively, everywhere. We sucked tonight.”

The Phantoms, who have made their living all year by burying teams early with a barrage of shots and grabbing first period leads, didn’t get on the board until the 10:31 mark of the second period, when Patrick Murphy score an even strength tally on a feed from Eric Schwageri to climb back to within three goals.

The celebration was short-lived as two power-play goals later, the Golden Panthers had built a 5-1 edge before Bret Sommerville and Henry Leech found the net to again trim the gap to three, but the Phantoms would get no closer as they fell to PJP2 by an 8-4 final.

“Do you do obituaries?’ asked assistant coach Larry Palmer. “We just gave away a great chance to solidify our playoff position. Now we have to beat Haven and get help.”

Phoenixville was held to just 27 shots on goal and were out shot by the Golden Panthers in the first two periods, while allowing three power-play goals

“We didn’t come to play tonight,” said head coach Denny Mullin. “We have had a long break since we played last but that’s no excuse. We got down 4 - 0 right away and just didn’t have the jump we needed.  We were very lackadaisical and I have no idea why. Now we absolutely have to win next Friday against Strath Haven and we‘ll probably need help.”

The loss, coupled with win by Strath Haven and Lower Merion, has put the Phantoms' hopes in jeopardy as now it is imperative that the Phantoms beat Strath Haven on Friday night at 9 p.m. at Center Ice.

“We put ourselves in a must-win now,” added Smith. “We need to come out to play on Friday and take care of our own business. We can’t worry about what Lower Merion does."

The Phantoms (10-6-0), who have the highest scoring offense in the Tri-County League, remain tied with Strath Haven (10-1-0) with 20 points, while Lower Merion (11-4-0) has 22 points and a date next week with Strath Haven. 

Pope John Paul II  4  3  1 -8 

Phoenixville          0  3  1 –4

Phantoms scoring

Second period

10:31- Murphy  from  Schwageri

3:54-  Somerville  from Leech

2:14-  Leech     unassisted

Third period

1:38- Bonner unassisted

 Goaltending- Hutchinson 21 saves on 29 shots