Marquette Rangers Hockey

Fri, Mar 7, 2008
Rangers Fall 4-3 to Phantoms
Rangers slip to last in NAHL North

MARQUETTE - Playoff dreams are showing signs of slipping away for the Marquette Rangers Tier II hockey team, after it dropped a 4-3 decision to the Mahoning Valley Phantoms at Lakeview Arena Friday night.

“We played hard and created a lot of chances but they capitalized on one more than we did,” Enders said. “Unfortunately when you are playing a good team like Mahoning Valley, you have to limit mistakes.”

After coming off of two straight loses to the recently red hot Traverse City North Stars, Marquette has dropped to last place in the North Division. Although, with five out of their remaining seven regular season games scheduled to be played at home, Enders said his team has not lost hope.

“Coming down the stretch it is nice to have those home games,” Enders said. “It is going to be important for us because we have to finish strong here to be able to make the playoffs.”

With Marquette battling for a playoff spot and the Phantoms working to secure home-ice advantage for the post season, Friday night’s game held a playoff atmosphere said Mahoning coach Bob Mainhardt.

“It was a great game,” Mainhardt said. “Both teams put forth a lot of effort and really skated hard tonight. The intensity of the game gave it that post season vibe.”

The intensity started right off the bat as Phantom Grant Blakey put his team on the board off of a deflection that found the back of the net.

The Rangers did not let that slow them down as they continued to scrap for the puck.

Five minutes later, Mike Macari tied it up for Marquette with the help of Josh Bussell and Derek Grogan.

The Phantoms regained the lead late in the first period as Derek Carr poked another rebound in off the doorstep.

Enders said the history between the two teams is responsible for the tough showing.

“There is a lot of history between these two teams,” Enders said. “That being said, you know there are going to be a lot of scrounging and a lot of battles.”

Just over 2 minutes into the period, Macari flew by two defenders before diving to poke one in his 13th goal of the season and tie the game up once again.”

It didn’t stay tied for long as Mahoning continued to charge. Kyle Verbeek put the Phantoms up 3-2 with a powerplay goal midway through the second period.

Neither side lost a step as everyone on the ice continued to dive and scrap for control of the puck. Big hits into the boards drew rises out of the crowd as the volume continued to rise.

The third period was more of the same as the hits and coast-to-coast action continued.

Mahoning Valley made it 4-2 late in the third with another sketchy goal from Carr.

“Some times ugly goals changes games,” Enders said. “Whether it is a rebound goal or a guy driving hard, those are the kind of goals you need in tight games like tonight.”

Marquette didn’t go quietly as they poured in 14 of their 34 shots in the third period.

After taking a timeout with just over two minutes left, Marquette pulled Christian to try and tie it up. They came close as Derek Grogan fired one over the shoulder of Phantom goalie Garrett Bartus with just 20 seconds to go. It wasn’t enough as the Phantoms won the face off and held on to the win.

“It is nice to be at home after being on the road for nearly a month,” Enders said. “It will be nice to finish up the regular season here and roll into the playoffs.”

Next up, the Rangers host two games at Lakeview Arena against the Alpena IceDiggers, beginning Friday at 7:30 p.m.

Life is short, do what makes you happy, watch Rangers hockey.