USHL Youngstown Phantoms

Phantoms' streak snapped by Gamblers

Published on November 13, 2009 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Youngstown Phantoms News Release


YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - Another one-goal game at home for the Youngstown Phantoms, but for the first time it wasn't a good thing.

The Phantoms, who had claimed three straight wins at the Covelli Centre by a single tally, fell just short in an abbreviated third-period comeback Friday night as the Green Bay Gamblers ended Youngstown's five-game winning streak 4-3.

Brett Gensler's improbable shorthanded goal from behind the net had drawn the Phantoms (7-5-1, 15 points) even at 2-2 late in the second period, but the Gamblers, who have now outscored their opponents 22-8 in the third, turned on the jets in the final minutes to claim the victory.

Anders Lee's second of the game and 10th of the season had given Green Bay the lead for the third and final time at 12:09 while the teams skated 4-on-4. Defenseman David Makowski piled on with a hard wrister from the right side over Matt Mahalak's blocker during a 5-on-3 power play with 3:22 to go, making it 4-2 and apparently draining the remaining drama.

But Joe Zarbo had other ideas, slamming in the rebound of a point shot with the Phantoms on a late man advantage to renew hope and pull the home side within one with 2:14 to play. After converting its first two power-play chances of the night, Youngstown was awarded another late opportunity when Makowski was sent off for interference in the final minute. Despite buzzing around the Green Bay net, the Phantoms couldn't force overtime and lost for the first time since Oct. 24.

After registering only nine shots to Green Bay's 35 in their 3-2 win Wednesday night, the Phantoms matched that total by early in Friday's second period. In a physical contest from start to finish, Youngstown held its own all night long in the bodycheck department, helping it rally from a pair of one-goal deficits.

Jefferson Dahl's perfectly placed power-play wrister beat Gamblers goalie Ryan McKay over his glove hand at 4:50 of the second, countering Ryan Furne's second goal in two games against the Phantoms in the final minute of the opening frame.

Lee's short-range rebound goal pushed Green Bay back on top with just under four minutes to go in the middle period, only to be answered by Gensler's heady play. With McKay roaming behind his goal, Gensler tracked down the puck in the right corner and banked his ninth of the campaign off the retreating netminder and into the cage.

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United States Hockey League Stories from November 13, 2009


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