Giroux scores twice to lead Phantoms over Penguins

Claude Giroux scored two goals as the visiting Phantoms defeated the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, 4-1, in an American Hockey League game yesterday.

Scott Munroe had 28 saves for the Phantoms, who were outshot, 29-16.

Giroux scored at 8:54 of the first period to tie the game at 1-1. The Penguins (13-10-1-1) had jumped out to the lead on a power-play goal by Connor James.

Patrick Maroon and Jeffrey Szwez also scored for the Phantoms (15-11-0-0), who defeated the visiting Binghamton Senators, 5-2 on Saturday at the Wachovia Spectrum.

Maroon had a hand in all five of Saturday's goals.

The rookie winger had a hat trick and added two assists to become the first Phantoms player to record a five-point game in more than 2 years.

Binghamton dropped to 11-9-2-3.

The Phantoms' next game is Friday against the Falcons in Springfield, Mass. They return home on Sunday to play the Penguins at 5:05 p.m.

The Kixx defeated the Massachusetts Twisters, 18-7, in a National Indoor Soccer League game Saturday in Springfield, Mass.

Hewerton had four goals to lead the Kixx (2-0).

It was the first home game for the Twisters (0-2), who are playing their inaugural season.

Ptah Myers opened the scoring for the Kixx on a feed from player/coach Don D'Ambra 4:04 into the game. Hewerton put the Kixx up 4-0 on a two-point goal 39 seconds later. Anthony Maher then added a goal at 10:27 and the Kixx finished the first quarter with a 6-0 lead.

Maher scored again 23 seconds into the second quarter. Hewerton tallied his second goal at 11:25 and, with 32 seconds remaining in the half, La Salle University graduate Jeremy Ortiz scored his first career goal to put the Kixx up 12-0 at intermission.

Ricardinho and Hewerton each scored in the third quarter to give the Kixx a 16-4 lead.

Hewerton completed his scoring with a goal in the fourth quarter that put the Kixx ahead, 18-4.