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Youngstown Phantoms

Comeback Bid Falls Short; Phantoms Drop 5-3 Decision to Madison

November 14, 2021 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Youngstown Phantoms News Release


YOUNGSTOWN, OH - The Youngstown Phantoms (6-7-0-2, 14pts) needed just 6:30 of the third period to erase a three-goal deficit, but their offensive efforts ended there as they fell to the Madison Capitols 5-3 Saturday night at the Covelli Centre.

"We get into the third and the guys chip away," said Phantoms Head Coach Brad Patterson. "The message being 'You're going to get your opportunities and continue to get them, it's what we do with them when we do generate' and the guys obviously jumped to that."

Madison scored one in the first period and two in the second to grab a 3-0 advantage heading into the final frame. Brendan Lamb lifted a shot over Owen Bartoskiewicz (34 saves) from the edge of the crease 5:53 into regulation for the first Capitols goal. Luke Mittelstadt pushed home a loose puck at 8:45 of the second to double the Madison lead, and Kyle Kukkonen sneaked a one-timer past Bartoskiewicz during a 5-on-3 power play at 18:55 to create the three-goal cushion for Madison.

"I think the guys were confident going into the third," said Patterson. "You don't often feel that confidence down three. I don't think the guys felt (dejected). I think they knew it was a matter of time with the way they'd been playing. Credit to them to really hold up their end of the bargain. We capitalized and put ourselves in a good spot."

Youngstown fired 20 shots at Simon Latkoczy (30 saves) through the first two periods, but the 21st was the one that finally beat him. Justin Varner's shot from the right wing boards was blocked by the Madison defense. The rebound was gloved down by Kenta Isogai, who immediately snapped it just under the bar and into the cage to get the Phantoms on the board just 48 seconds into the period.

Minutes later, Chris Hedden's dump in took a funny bounce, putting Latkoczy out of position and leaving the cage wide open. The puck bounced to Adam Ingram, who fired it home before Latkoczy could get back into the crease, cutting the Phantoms' deficit to one at 4:35.

Youngstown tied the game just under two minutes later. Chase Pietila's stretch pass found Varner in the neutral zone and a 2-on-1 developed with him and Winter Wallace. Varner ran the give-and-go with Wallace and tapped in the back door feed to a yawning net, tying the game at 3.

The comeback was not to be, however, as Madison got goals from Matthew McGroarty at 13:30 on a redirect and another from Lamb at 15:30 to dash the Phantoms' hopes of completing the comeback.

Youngstown and Madison will face off again next Friday in Wisconsin as the Phantoms will start a two-game swing through The Badger State that begins Friday in Madison and concludes Saturday in Green Bay.

By the Numbers

Shots - 33

Saves - 34

Power Play - 0/2

Penalty Kill - 2/3

Goals - Ingram, Isogai, Varner

Assists - Hedden, Pietila, Varner, Wallace

Box Score - https://www.ushl.com/view/#/game-summary/10155

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