Phantoms Clinch Playoff Berth with Shutout Win
March 21, 2015 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Youngstown Phantoms News Release
WATERLOO, IA- The Youngstown Phantoms clinched a spot in the 2015 Clark Cup Playoffs, with a 4-0 win over the Waterloo Black Hawks on Saturday night. Goaltender Chris Birdsall stopped all 24 shots he faced, while forwards James Winkler, Josh Nenadal, Ryan Lomberg, and Kyle Connor netted the goals for the Phantoms, who tie a USHLTier-1 record (2002-Present) with their 16th consecutive win.
The Phantoms wasted little time getting on the board, as just 5:01 into the first while on the power play, Lomberg threw a pass to Winkler who deflected it past Waterloo goaltender Cale Morris, giving the Phantoms a 1-0 lead.
That lead became 2-0 about seven minutes later, when Nenadal skated over the Waterloo blueline and fired a wrister that rang off the post and in past Morris, 13:28 into the frame.
The Phantoms' lead held up throughout the remainder of the first period, and in the second, it only took 57 seconds for the Phantoms to light the lamp, as a shot from Connor ricocheted off of the end boards and bounced out to the low slot where a wide open Lomberg flipped it over the shoulder of Morris, extending Youngstown's lead to 3-0; a lead the Phantoms took with them into the locker room after 40 minutes.
The Phantoms' special teams struck again early in the third while shorthanded, when Connor picked the puck off of a defender's stick in the left-wing corner of the offensive zone, skated behind the net, and tucked it in on a wrap around, capping the 4-0 win for the Phantoms.
"All the things we showed today in video and challenged our guys to get better at we put into place from the opening shift, and I felt that made the difference tonight," said Phantoms Head Coach Anthony Noreen. "I'm very proud of this group. Tying the consecutive wins record is something that will go down in this team's legacy and is something our guys should be proud of. Hopefully they'll be able to look back at this years from now and remember what got them here."
The shutout marks the third of the season for Birdsall, and extends his winning streak to seven games.
"I thought I was seeing the puck pretty well and everyone was buying in from the beginning of the game," said Birdsall. "It's pretty easy to stop the puck when everyone is going like our guys were tonight."
The Phantoms outshot Waterloo, 33-24, on the evening, while the power play converted on one of four opportunities. Youngstown wraps up their three-game weekend tomorrow afternoon in Chicago against the Steel at 4:30pm ET.
Tickets are on sale for all Phantoms home games at the Covelli Centre starting at the low price of $10.75 for single game tickets. The Phantoms also offer group ticket packages, and a special McDonald's Family and Friends deal, where you will receive four tickets, four hats, and four medium extra value meals for the low price of $39.99. 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).
Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, the USHL celebrates its 13th season as the nation's only Tier I junior hockey league in 2014-15. A record 35 players were chosen in the 2014 NHL Draft and more than 300 players on team rosters last season have committed to NCAA Division I schools, further establishing the USHL as the world's foremost producer of junior hockey talent.
It's not just hockey. It's the USHL.
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United States Hockey League Stories from March 21, 2015
- Chicago Blackhawks Sign Hinostroza - Waterloo Black Hawks
- Hawks Can't Stop Phantoms - Waterloo Black Hawks
- Phantoms Clinch Playoff Berth with Shutout Win - Youngstown Phantoms
- Former Gamblers Siroky and Wolanin Net Key Tallies, Lumberjacks Sweep Green Bay - Muskegon Lumberjacks
- Malone and Jackson Lead Saints to 4-2 Win in Cedar Rapids - Dubuque Fighting Saints
- Stampede End 10-Game Road Swing with Come from Behind Win at Chicago - Sioux Falls Stampede
- Storm Sweep Bucs with 4-2 Win - Tri-City Storm
- Lancers Fall in Shootout 5-4 - Omaha Lancers
- Mattson Grabs Game Winner as First USHL Goal - Bloomington Thunder
- Sioux City Gets Best of Madison on Saturday - Madison Capitols
- Game Notes vs Waterloo - Youngstown Phantoms
- Caps Look to Take Down Strand's Former Squad - Madison Capitols
- Playoff Hopes Still Alive as Team USA Returns - Bloomington Thunder
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