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USHL Youngstown Phantoms

Comeback Comes up Short for Phantoms in Home Opener

September 27, 2013 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Youngstown Phantoms News Release


YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - After countless comebacks last season, the stage seemed set for another in the Youngstown Phantoms' 2013-14 home opener. Russian rookie Maxim Letunov put the Phantoms in front with less than seven minutes remaining in the third, but the Green Bay Gamblers were able even it up later in the period and Nick Schmaltz scored in overtime to pry away a 4-3 win Friday night at the Covelli Centre.

Second-year forward JJ Piccinich and Luke Stork also scored for the Phantoms (0-2-1, 1 point), while goaltender Jake Moore turned away 21 of 25 shots in the loss. Schmaltz led the way for Green Bay (2-0-1, 5 points) with a pair of goals, including the overtime game-winner and while former Michigan netminder Jared Rutledge allowed three goals on 22 shots.

The Phantoms were outshot 18-10 and trailed 2-1 after 40 minutes, but caught their stride in the third.

"The third period was the first time I can honestly say that we saw 20 minutes of what we want," head coach Anthony Noreen said. "We got better as the game went on and I thought the third period was the best period of hockey we've played here in the short season."

Stork tied it up on a power play 2:17 into the third when his centering feed from behind the net ricocheted off a Green Bay defenseman and past Rutledge. Piccinich and Kyle Connor were credited with the assists on Stork's second goal of the season as the Phantoms stayed red hot, finishing the night 2-for-5 on the man-advantage.

Letunov gave them the lead less than 11 minutes later on a highlight-reel wraparound. The 17-year-old from Moscow, Russia, got a pass from Connor behind the net and, with Piccinich preoccupying the goaltender and defensemen, used his 6-foot-2 reach to tuck the puck just inside the far post on the backhand for the first goal of his USHL career.

"On that one play right there, you see what excites us so much about Max," Noreen said. "It was a special individual effort. It wasn't his first one he made in the game and it won't be the last one you see all year from him. He's special."

The Gamblers were able to knot it back up with less than two minutes remaining in regulation when Kevin Irwin picked Tyler Spezia's pocket after the Phantoms' assistant captain had gathered up a rebound, and stuffed it past Moore. Then in overtime, Schmaltz got the puck alone in the corner off a bad bounce. The highly rated NHL draft prospect skated out alone and, as Moore went down to poke the puck, Schmaltz went high to put the game away.

"It went for the poke and it got a really lucky bounce and went off the post some how," Moore said. "We really wanted that one but at least we came away with a point."

Piccinich put the Phantoms in front on a power play less than four minutes into the action. Josh Melnick dropped a pass to the Paramus, N.J., native and flicked a wrist shot off the crossbar and straight down across the line for his third goal in as many games, equaling his total from last season.

"Last year I contributed in different ways, but this year I'm glad to be scoring a little bit," Piccinich said. "Whatever I can do to help the team."

Schmaltz scored on a 5-on-3 power play to make it 1-1 at the 11:08 mark in the first. Drew Best gave the Gamblers the lead 2:16 into the second after a defensive zone turnover turned into a 2-on-1 against Moore.

Phantoms by the Numbers

Shots - 22

Saves - 21

Power Play - 2-for-5

Penalty Kill - 4-for-5

Goals - Letunov, Piccinich, Stork

Assists - Connor (3), Melnick, Josh Nenadal

Next on the Slate

The Phantoms and Gamblers face off again Saturday afternoon at the Covelli Centre. The puck drops a 7:05 p.m. EST.

Season tickets for the 2013-14 season are on sale now starting at the low price of just $8 a game. Benefits include invitations to exclusive season ticket holder events, discounts at the Phantoms Team Shop and much more. 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 September 27, 2013


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