YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (November 5, 2009) - Add a game-winning goal and the No. 1 star to Rich Young's quickly growing USHL portfolio.The 6-foot-3, 215-pound first-year forward played big indeed Thursday night, putting the Phantoms ahead to stay with 3:15 to play as they claimed their first-ever home win, 4-3 over the Des Moines Buccaneers at the Covelli Centre. Youngstown (5-4-1), winners of three in a row, will host the Buccaneers (4-5-0) again tomorrow at 7:15 p.m.
On the game-deciding play, Brian Dowd centered the puck for Brett Gensler, who fired a shot-pass toward the goalmouth, where Young deposited his second of the season. The Phantoms led 3-2 to start the third but Des Moines' Danny Heath snuck in the backdoor to tie the game near the period's midway point with the Bucs on their fifth power play.
Youngstown rallied from an early deficit for the third-straight game, this time overcoming a 2-0 hole through 20 minutes courtesy of even-strength goals by Des Moines' Mike Fink (14:20) and Chris Stafne (19:55). The Phantoms roared back in the second, though, outshooting the Bucs 17-11 and pumping three goals past goalie Charles Williams to grab the lead.
Set up by Andrew Lamont from behind the goal, Jefferson Dahl pounded a one-timer over Williams' shoulder to make it 2-1 seven minutes into the middle frame. It was Dahl's third goal in his first game back in action after missing four due to a shoulder injury.
Ryan Jasinsky converted Scott Mayfield's short rebound from the right side of the crease to tie the score at 11:39. The Richmond, Va., native's second completed the rally and came mere minutes after his left skate broke behind the Bucs' net, leaving pieces strewn about the ice.
Youngstown took its first lead on another follow-up chance with 4:34 left in the second, as Nick Czinder nailed his third under the crossbar from between the circles.
Jordan Tibbett earned the win to even his record at 3-3-0, making 26 saves. The Phantoms won the shots-on-goal battle 35-29, their highest total since Oct. 10 at Des Moines when they rifled 42 at the goaltending combination of Eric Mihalik and Williams.
Join the Phantoms at the Covelli Centre tomorrow night as they present Bargain Beer Night by Back to Health Chiropractic. Enjoy $1 beers all night long! Also, college students can bring their IDs to the Box Office for a $4 discount ticket.
Go to http://www.pointstreak.com/prostats/boxscore.html?gameid1048782 for full box score.
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