USHL Youngstown Phantoms

Team USA holds lead, skates away from Phantoms

Published on March 27, 2010 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Youngstown Phantoms News Release


YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - Austin Wuthrich, Cole Bardreau and Dan Carlson each tallied a goal and an assist as the U.S. National Team converted an early lead into a 6-2 victory against the Youngstown Phantoms Saturday night at Covelli Centre, splitting the two-game home-and-home series.

The Phantoms (18-35-4, 40 points), who claimed a convincing win over Team USA's Under-17 squad Friday night in Ann Arbor, Mich., fell behind from the start and dropped out of contention when the Red, White & Blue put together a three-goal third period. Twice Youngstown cut the deficit to a single goal, but the Phantoms would get no closer.

The National Team (25-29-4, 54 points) scored first Friday night as well, but withered as the game went along as the Phantoms earned six power plays. The roles were reversed Saturday as Team USA enjoyed nine advantages, including three separate 5-on-3 power plays.

Youngstown outshot its opponent for the first time since Feb. 13, a span of 14 games, but Team USA goalie John Gibson scooped up his third win of the season against the Phantoms by stopping 26 of 28 shots. Jordan Tibbett, making his third straight start in the Youngstown cage, was hardly to blame - the USHL veteran was often in desperation mode.

With the Phantoms on an early power play, Tibbett made a sharp first save on Wuthrich's shorthanded chance, but Bardreau followed to stash the rebound around the sprawling netminder to break the ice at 3:39 of the first.

Defenseman Alexx Privatera increased the lead to two with a hard one-timer from 40 feet that sizzled high into the net at 10:18 during a two-man Team USA advantage. While the National Team continued to skate with a 5-on-4 power play, Gibson handled a routine play behind his net.

Or at least it should have been routine. The Pittsburgh-born goalie turned the puck over to the Phantoms' Jefferson Dahl, who expertly deposited the gift for his fourth shorthanded goal of the season and 16th overall, both team highs. The converted mistake cut the lead in half at 11:26.

Reid Boucher restored the two-goal National Team cushion when he lifted his 10th into the twine to finish a scrambling play in the low slot with 4:37 remaining in the middle frame.

Once again, the Phantoms had a quick response in store.

Just one second after a Youngstown power play expired, Dylan Margonari deflected Andrej Sustr's point shot through Gibson's legs for his third in 20 USHL games. The former Pittsburgh Hornet's tally brought the Phantoms back within striking distance for the decisive third.

But Team USA quickly squelched any comeback hopes with two even-strength goals less than two minutes apart, with Carlson (3:56) and Travis Boyd (5:53) beating a helpless Tibbett from in close on sudden plays. The lead became 6-2 when Wuthrich hammered a slapper from the right circle off Bardreau's assist during a transition effort.

The Phantoms hit the road one last time for a Wednesday night clash with the Chicago Steel; faceoff is set for 8:35 p.m. Follow the Phantoms all season long via Youngstown's ESPN 1240 (www.wbbw.com) and the B2 Networks at www.b2tv.com.

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 27, 2010


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