USHL Youngstown Phantoms

Sioux City Bursts Past Phantoms, 4-2

Published on November 21, 2009 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Youngstown Phantoms News Release


SIOUX CITY, Iowa - No other sport rivals hockey for its quick momentum changes, and on Saturday night the Youngstown Phantoms were both benefited and victimized by the game's volatile nature.

Less than a minute after Sioux City Musketeers goalie Will Yanakeff denied Rich Young on a prime scoring chance with the score tied 2-2, Stephan Vigier set up Billy Latta from behind the net for the eventual game-winning goal with 4:39 to play, helping Sioux City to a 4-2 win at the Tyson Events Center.

A few moments prior to the night's decisive play, Luke Eibler drove the game-tying goal off a body in the slot and past a befuddled Yanakeff with the Phantoms on their fifth power play chance. The first-year defenseman now has three USHL goals, all on the power play, and Youngstown had rallied from a 2-0 second-period deficit.

Brian Dowd had the other goal for the Phantoms (8-7-1, 17 points), who received 32 saves from Matt Mahalak in his second start in two nights. Youngstown fell to 4-3-1 as the visitor, dropping two road decisions in a row for the first time.

Darik Angeli buried an empty net goal in the final minute of play to ice the contest for Sioux City. The Musketeers (7-8-1, 15 points) have now won four in a row after a dismal 0-5-1 run dropped them to last in the West Division. Yanakeff made 17 stops to improve to 5-3-0.

It was Teddy Bear Toss night in Sioux City, and Matt Paape triggered a deluge of stuffed animals onto the ice surface when he powered a short one-timer past Mahalak's right arm for a power-play goal at 5:39 of the second. Adam Schmidt and Latta were awarded assists on the play, as the Musketeers converted their second man-advantage opportunity of the game.

Schmidt inscribed his name on the scoresheet again just 51 seconds later, as the rebound of his wrister bounded to Vigier between the circles, who found the open net to up the Sioux City lead to two goals. It was veteran center's team-leading eighth red light in 16 games.

But the rink seemed to tilt in Youngstown's favor at the end of the middle frame, and when Dowd chipped in his fifth of the campaign following a goalmouth scramble, the Phantoms had their first goal of the road trip at 18:03. Tom Serratore, who scored Youngstown's overtime game winner one week ago, earned the lone assist.

Much like last night, the Phantoms were outshot in the opening period, this time by a 12-2 margin. This time, however, the scoreboard read 0-0 after 20 minutes of play, with Youngstown killing off an early Sioux City power play in the process.

Go to http://www.pointstreak.com/prostats/boxscore.html?gameid=1048864 for full box score.

Youngstown then begins a five-game homestand next Friday with a 7:15 p.m. start against the Lincoln Stars. It's Bald Is Beautiful Night, with bald people getting in for half-price and $3 from every ticket purchased at your local Casal's Salons going to Wigs For Kids.

The Youngstown Phantoms are a Member Club of the United States Hockey League (USHL), America's only Tier I hockey league and premier developer of National Hockey League talent with more than 100 alumni on current NHL rosters.

Visit www.youngstownphantoms.com or call the Front Office at 330.747.PUCK(7825) for more information on the Phantoms organization. The Youngstown Phantoms are owned by the B.J. Alan Company (Phantom Fireworks), located in Youngstown, Ohio.

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United States Hockey League Stories from November 21, 2009


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