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USHL Youngstown Phantoms

Buccaneers Erase Two-Goal Deficit, Win in Overtime

March 1, 2014 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Youngstown Phantoms News Release


YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - On Thursday, before falling in a shootout, the Dubuque Fighting Saints overcame a two-goal deficit to take the Phantoms to overtime, including tying the game with the goaltender pulled.

On Saturday, the Des Moines Buccaneers repeated the feat-but the result in the bonus session was not as favorable for Youngstown.

Fueled by two goals in the final seven minutes, including a goal with the extra attacker on, the Buccaneers came back from two goals down to win in overtime on a goal by Jake Jackson.

"We never should have let it get to that point," lamented Phantoms coach Anthony Noreen. "We should have had ten on the board before it got to that point-at least six or seven."

The Buccaneers were in the game almost solely due to starting netminder Billy Christopoulos and the three posts behind him. The Phantoms rung at least three bars in the second period alone, and when the iron did not save the Buccaneers, it was Christopoulos, who was tremendous in robbing Phantoms chances all evening.

"Credit their goaltender; he played really well," said Noreen. "We had as many premium, grade 'A,' quality scoring chances in that game as probably any game that we've played all year, and we didn't bury the puck. That's a good team, they work hard, we let them hang around, and that's what happens."

Youngstown opened the scoring in the first period when the speed of Tyler Spezia won a race to a loose puck. Spezia centered for Kiefer Sherwood, who competed the two-on-one with ease.

"It was a puck race, and speed is definitely my strength," said Spezia. "I was able to find Kiefer alone in the slot, and he finished the play."

Despite the Youngstown barrage to that point, Sherwood's goal would be the only scoring through 40 minutes of play,

"[Christopoulos] was a big part of it, but credit their guys for hanging on, sticking to their plan, and not giving up at the end, which we knew they wouldn't," said Noreen.

The resilient Buccaneers tied it at 1:31 of the third through Danny Elser, but Youngstown pulled away from there, scoring on the power play thanks to a Kyle Connor wrist shot, and then again 1:05 later on a Spezia tap-in following a nice pass from Zach Evancho.

From there, however, Des Moines turned on the jets. Jack Jenkins scored twice, including with the goaltender pulled at 19:07 of the third period to tie it. In the extra session, just 57 seconds before an impending shootout, Jake Jackson tallied the game-winner from the slot to win it for the visitors.

"We played hard, for sure," said Spezia. "I think what it comes down to is that we need to bury our chances. We had numerous chances, and we also need to be sharper in our own end. It's important that we learn how to close out a game. I just think we've been playing hard as of late, and it's something we've been missing all year."

The Phantoms, who, despite the loss, have earned points in five of six games, will now head to Omaha to face the Lancers next weekend.

"We have to defend better and bail out our goalie," said Spezia. "As far as everything else though, I think the effort is there, the playmaking is there, and we just need to bury some chances to have a good weekend."

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