Phantoms Comeback Falls Short in Shootout
December 29, 2015 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Youngstown Phantoms News Release
YOUNGSTOWN, OH - The Youngstown Phantoms fought back from a two-goal deficit Tuesday night in Muskegon, but were topped in a shootout by the Lumberjacks. It was the fourth meeting of the season between the two teams, and all four have been decided by just one goal, including three in overtime or a shootout.
"We've got to find more ways to put pucks in the back of the net. We need to score more around the crease, dirty goals. I feel like we left a lot of scoring chances on the table in the first two periods," said Phantoms Head Coach John Wroblewski.
Muskegon took a 2-0 lead into the second intermission, after scoring a late goal at the end of the first and second periods. Rem Pitlick netted the Lumberjacks first tally on the power play at 17:15 of the first period.
After Phantoms goaltender Colin DeAugustine made a handful of nice saves to keep the defecit at one, Muskegon finally broke through again, with Collin Adams scoring his tenth of the season at 17:32 of the second frame.
Youngstown would come out flying in the final period, and finally get on the board. Tommy Apap scored his first goal in a Phantoms uniform on the power play after finding a rebound after a shot by Lukas Craggs.
"We definitely wanted the win, but it was a good comeback by the guys. It's good to get the point, DeAugustine made some big saves to give us a chance," Apap said.
Just over five minutes after Apap gave the Phantoms life, Cam Morrison tied the contest for Youngstown. Morrison beat Lumberjacks goaltender Joey Daccord off of a beautiful assist by Connor Moore. It was Morrison's team leading 16th goal of the season.
After a seven minute overtime period wasn't enough to find a winner, the two teams would head to a shootout. Rem Pitlick and Lucas Craggs each scored early for their team, but then it would take seven rounds to eventually decide the skills competition. Max Humitz was finally able to beat DeAugustine to give the Lumberjacks the extra point.
The Phantoms will be back in action in Youngstown this Saturday and Sunday, January 2nd and 3rd, against the Chicago Steel. All fans who bring a button from Youngstown's First Night New Year's Celebration can purchase a ticket for just $6 and bring children under 12 for free.
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United States Hockey League Stories from December 29, 2015
- Phantoms Comeback Falls Short in Shootout - Youngstown Phantoms
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- Storm Scores Three Straight to Force OT, Falls to GB, 4-3 - Tri-City Storm
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- Stars Protect Lead, Beat Black Hawks 3-2 - Lincoln Stars
- Hawks Fall in Lincoln - Waterloo Black Hawks
- Capitols Have No Answers for Red-Hot Saints - Madison Capitols
- Lumberjacks Win in a Shootout - Muskegon Lumberjacks
- Stars to Host Black Hawks for Midweek Game - Lincoln Stars
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