The Phantoms U15 squad showed their championship mettle Friday night, erasing an early deficit with a devastating four-goal second period to cruise past the U15 Grizzlies 5-2. What started as a tense, low-scoring affair quickly transformed into a showcase of the Phantoms' offensive depth and resilience, as they outshot their opponents 31-28 and controlled the game's crucial moments.
The Grizzlies struck first, catching the Phantoms off guard when Jordan Scherger (#17) buried an even-strength chance at 6:47 of the opening period, with Otto Wallace (#7) picking up the helper. The Phantoms, despite outshooting the visitors 11-9 in the frame, couldn't solve Grizzlies netminder Felix Rogucki (#11) and went to the first intermission trailing 1-0. However, the tide turned dramatically in the second period. Scherger struck again early, this time with assists from Wallace and Grayson Benane (#3), to double the Grizzlies' lead at 15:50. But the Phantoms' response was immediate and overwhelming. Michael Abdilmasih (#9) ignited the comeback at 11:46, with Cole Pogue (#38) and Caleb Bourigault (#27) setting the table. Just sixty seconds later, Jonathan Kirschner (#18) tied the game, and then Ashtin Hardy (#11) delivered the go-ahead goal at 10:20—a strike that would stand as the game-winner. Hardy wasn't finished, adding an insurance goal with just 29 seconds left in the period, this time with Jonathan Kirschner providing the assist.
The third period saw tempers flare and the game tighten. A penalty shot was awarded to Ashtin Hardy at 14:00, but he was denied. Just minutes later, Graycee Spurrell (#19) was sent off for slashing, and the Grizzlies pushed hard, firing 11 shots on Phantoms goalie Benjamin Kirschner (#85) in the final frame. Despite the pressure, Kirschner stood tall, and Adam Shermanov (#8) sealed the victory at 9:46 with a goal assisted by the ever-dangerous Ashtin Hardy and Cole Pogue. A late slash by Bourigault, who also earned a penalty shot, did little to dampen the Phantoms' celebration. With the goalie statistics showing all zeroes for saves, it was the final score and the relentless shot volume that told the story: the Phantoms weathered an early storm, exploded in the middle frame, and closed out the game with composure to secure a well-deserved 5-2 win.
Raptors
