Phantoms top Marlies on a shoot-out goal

Stefan Ruzicka scored in the seventh round of a shoot-out to lift the Phantoms over the Toronto Marlies, 2-1, in the AHL last night.

Brian Boucher made 23 saves and stopped six of seven Toronto attempts in the shoot-out to earn the win at the Wachovia Spectrum.

Toronto scored near the halfway point of the first period. Phil Oreskovic fired a shot from the right point that was blocked in front, but the rebound went to Robbie Earl in the right circle. Earl beat Boucher for a 1-0 lead at 9 minutes, 16 seconds.

After 48 futile minutes and just 14 shots, the Phantoms finally broke through. Triston Grant took the puck up the left wing and put it on net. Frederik Cabana, returning from a seven-game absence due to injury, swept to the right post and fired home the rebound to tie the score at 1 with 12:01 remaining.

Jared Ross scored the first Phantoms goal in the shoot-out. Jiri Tlusty scored for Toronto.