PHANTOMS TOPPLE TOP TEAM

Philadelphia Wins 3-2

PROVIDENCE, RI – Jonathan Matsumoto scored a pair of goals and Denis Tolpeko secured the game-winner in a 3-2 win over the league-leading Providence Bruins on Sunday evening at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center. The win gives the Phantoms a split on their four-game, five-day road trip and a record of 33-17-1-2 on the season for 69 points. one point shy of last year’s season total.

The scoring got off to an ominous start for the Phantoms when Chris Collins scored on a breakaway with just over 28 seconds to play in the first period. T.J. Trevelyan triggered the rush, which seemed destined to send Providence to the locker room with a 1-0 lead.

But Matsumoto had other plans. Off the ensuing faceoff, he went to the net as Stefan Ruzicka swept around behind the net with the puck. He threw it out in front and Matsumoto buried it just nine seconds after the Collins goal, knotting the game at 1-1 at the first intermission.

After a second period devoid of any scoring, the Phantoms broke through with a pair in the third period. The first came at 6:39 and started on a slap pass by Oskars Bartulis. down to Kyle Greentree on the post. Greentree deflected it back out in front, and Matsumoto was able to knock it home for the 2-1 lead.

The Phantoms then took a 3-1 advantage on an unassisted goal by Tolpeko. He picked up a loose puck at center ice, went towards the right-wing faceoff circle, cut towards the on the forehand and then fired it in at 7:48.

Providence made things interesting late on a goal by Nate Thompson, who buried a centering pass from Trevelyan with 6:39 to play. but the Phantoms allowed no more scoring.

Brian Boucher took the win in his native Rhode Island by stopping 41 of 43 Providence shots, while Rask absorbed the loss with 20 saves on 23 shots. Philadelphia’s East Division lead is now nine points over Hershey and 10 points over Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.

The Phantoms return to the Wachovia Spectrum on Tuesday, Feb. 12 to face the Syracuse Crunch at 7:05. Tickets are available at the Wachovia Complex box office, online at ComcastTIX.com or phantomshockey.com, or by phone at 1-800-298-4200.

Sunday, February 10, 2008