USHL Youngstown Phantoms

Opportunistic Phantoms surge past Team USA

Published on March 26, 2010 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Youngstown Phantoms News Release


ANN ARBOR, Mich. - Working hard and waiting patiently for their chances, the Youngstown Phantoms were rewarded three times Friday night at the Ice Cube, overcoming an early hiccup to claim a come-from-behind 3-2 win over the U.S. National Team.

Adam Berkle and Andrew Lamont scored 2:20 apart midway through the third period to break a 1-1 tie, with both goals resulting from Team USA turnovers. Berkle whipped a wrister from the slot past goalie Matt McNeely's glove hand, then Lamont sniped one into the top shelf from below the left circle to raise the lead to two.

National Team defenseman Kevin Clare drew the home side back within one with just 1:18 to play, but the Phantoms rallied around netminder Jordan Tibbett, who made 32 saves, to preserve the victory. Youngstown is now 3-1-0 against the Under-17 squad and has earned points in four of seven games in the month of March (2-3-2).

The Phantoms (18-34-4, 40 points) had gone down 1-0 just 19 seconds after the opening faceoff, as Travis Boyd cut to the middle and stuck a shot into the top-right corner of the net. But for the second-straight game, Youngstown successfully battled back after surrendering an opening-minute tally.

A lack of discipline from Team USA (24-29-4, 52 points) opened the door for the Phantoms' equalizer. Michael Paliotta took a roughing penalty at 12:43 of the second, tossing Youngstown's Ty Loney to the ice after a collision.

Tom Serratore made that indiscretion loom large when he blasted a slapper from the left point that found its way behind McNeely with under six minutes remaining in the frame. Jefferson Dahl and Berkle, who provided the screen in front, picked up assists on the play.

Youngstown outpaced the Nationals 6-1 in power plays, including the last five in a row. The game represented a role reversal from the Phantoms' previous contests in Ann Arbor this season, when they were forced to kill 33 Team USA power plays in three games.

The teams wrap up the weekend home-and-home series with a rematch Saturday at 7:15 p.m. at Covelli Centre. The first 2,000 fans will receive a special edition team poster, presented by Comcast, Oswald Companies and Cerni Motors! Also, sign up for the Phantoms Kids Club get a free ticket to the game, plus a Kids Club gift pack which includes a free T-shirt.

Follow the Phantoms all season long via Youngstown's ESPN 1240 (www.wbbw.com) and the B2 Networks at www.b2tv.com.

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 March 26, 2010


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