Melnick and Kolias Net Lone Goals as Steel Take Down Phantoms
November 9, 2014 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Youngstown Phantoms News Release
YOUNGSTOWN, OH- The Youngstown Phantoms (7-4-1) were upended by the Chicago Steel, 5-2, on Sunday night. Forward Josh Melnick and defenseman Vas Kolias tallied the lone goals for the Phantoms, who fail to score three goals in a game for just the third time this season.
The Steel got on the board first, midway through the opening period, as forward Robby Jackson snuck behind the Phantoms' defense and scored on a breakaway to give the Steel a 1-0 lead, 12:02 into the frame. A little more than a minute later, Chicago extended their lead to 2-0, after forward Brendon Kearney slipped one past Phantoms goaltender Colin DeAugustine at the 13:50 mark of the period.
The 2-0 Steel lead held up throughout the remainder of the first period, however just 30 seconds into the second, Steel forward John Schilling netted a shorthanded goal, pushing Chicago's lead to 3-0. That lead became 4-0, after forward Ryan Blankemeier buried one in on the power play 2:51 later, and subsequently chased DeAugustine from the game.
The physical play picked up in the second period, as both sides dished out some hard checks and engaged in some post-whistle scrums. At the 14:20 mark of the frame, Phantoms forward Kevin Conley and Kearney dropped the gloves, and engaged in the first fight of the season. Under the new fighting rules, both men were given five minute majors for fighting, and 10 minute misconducts.
Youngstown found the back of the net late in the period, after a Max Letunov shot ricocheted off of Steel goaltender Cale Morris right to Melnick who tapped in the rebound, cutting Chicago's lead to 4-1 after 40 minutes.
"I was actually the last guy back, so I just wanted to get it to the red line and shoot it in, but I saw that I had an opening," said Melnick. "I dished it over to Max [Letunov] who drove the net and I got the rebound and fortunately it went in."
That lead was short-lived however, as just one minute into the third, Chicago's Tanner Laczynski scored, to put the Steel back up by four goals, 5-1.
The Phantoms still had some fight in them, as later in the period on the power play, forward Ryan Lomberg sent a pass to Kolias who launched a slapshot that went off the cross bar and in past Morris, pulling the Phantoms to within three, 5-2.
"Obviously we pride ourselves on our defense first, and we want to be known for our defensive zone play," remarked Kolias. "Knowing the fact that we can get up the ice and make plays, and be effective offensively is a big deal for us, and we hope to keep helping out the team.
That was all the offense the Phantoms were able to muster, as Morris was stellar for the Steel, stopping 41 of the 43 shots he faced to earn his fourth win of the season.
"I thought we veered from what has given us success this season," stated Phantoms Head Coach Anthony Noreen. "We allowed them to set the tone for the game, jump out to a lead, and in this league, it's very hard to come back when you spot a team as good as the Steel three or four goals. The positive from today is that we get them again tomorrow. I thought when we played our system right and didn't veer from the gameplan, we were really good and carried the play."
The two sides meet tomorrow night in the series finale at the Covelli Centre. Faceoff is scheduled for 7:05pm.
Single game and season tickets are on sale now for all Phantoms home games at the Covelli Centre starting at the low price of $10.75 for single game, and $267.00 for season tickets. Call 330.747.PUCK (7825) for more information or to reserve seats today. For all the latest news, visit www.YoungstownPhantoms.com, follow the Phantoms on Twitter (@YtownPhantoms) and "Like' them on Facebook (www.Facebook.com/YoungstownPhantoms).
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United States Hockey League Stories from November 9, 2014
- Melnick and Kolias Net Lone Goals as Steel Take Down Phantoms - Youngstown Phantoms
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