USHL Youngstown Phantoms

Two Each For Strang and Czinder As Phantoms Bury Chicago

Published on March 31, 2010 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Youngstown Phantoms News Release


The Youngstown Phantoms swept their five-game season series with the Chicago Steel in resounding fashion Wednesday night, getting two goals each from Cody Strang and Nick Czinder in trouncing the home side 9-3 at the Edge Ice Arena.

The Purple and Orange scored 30 goals combined in grabbing a handful of wins against their East Division rivals, an average of six per game. But the Phantoms (19-35-4, 42 points) reached new heights to start the final week of the season, topping their previous best of seven goals, last reached Jan. 18 vs. Team USA.

The romp was just another highlight enjoyed at Chicago's expense in the Phantoms' inaugural USHL campaign. In addition to the franchise earning its first preseason win in Bensenville Sept. 11, Youngstown's only two successful third-period comebacks on the season came against the Steel.

No rally was needed Wednesday, as Strang helped set the tone right from the start, burying the rebound of Dylan Margonari's wrister 41 seconds into the game. Ty Loney added on later in the frame by tipping Scott Mayfield's point shot through Chicago goalie Connor Wilson, who endured the definition of a tough night in losing his third decision of the season to Youngstown.

Tom Serratore grabbed the Phantoms' goal-scoring lead with a persistent finish above the crease with 1:57 left before the first intermission; the third-year USHLer now has 17 red lights to pull one ahead of Jefferson Dahl, who earned an assist on the play, and Brett Gensler.

Danny Mattson one-timed the disc behind Jordan Tibbett to draw the Steel (23-29-6, 52 points) within 3-1 after 20 minutes, but the Phantoms delivered the knockout blow with a five-goal second period, tying a season-high set Jan. 18.

After Mayfield's 45-footer sneaked past Wilson and Adam Berkle finished a sterling individual play with his 14th goal in the opening moments of the second, the rout was brewing.

Strang's second of the night might have finished the job with Youngstown shorthanded, as he darted through two defensemen before deking Wilson to the ice and authoring a backhand finish - the candidate for goal of the year came with the Phantoms shorthanded, raising the lead to 6-1 at 15:05.

Margonari earned his second point with a similarly golden effort, stealing the puck and netting Youngstown's 14th shorthanded tally of the season and second of the night three minutes later. Czinder finished the blitz with 1:01 remaining, knocking in a big rebound at the left post for an 8-1 advantage.

The Phantoms chased Wilson 2:18 into the third, as Czinder danced past the Chicago defense for a breakaway goal and an eight-goal bulge. Following the goal, Wilson was tossed from the game for abuse of officials by referee Curtis Marouelli, forcing emergency backup Fedor Dushkin between the pipes for his first USHL action.

Cole Gunner (4:09) and Matt Esposito (5:50) strung a pair of tallies together for the Steel, setting the final margin at six goals, the Phantoms' largest of the season by two.

Go to http://www.pointstreak.com/prostats/boxscore.html?gameid=1049167 for full box score.

The Phantoms return home for a two-game weekend series with Cedar Rapids that will conclude their first USHL season. Friday night is Bargain Beer Night ($1 brews) as the Phantoms help ring in baseball season with hardball-themed games and prizes all night long!

Check out the Youngstown Phantoms Statistics

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United States Hockey League Stories from March 31, 2010


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