USHL Youngstown Phantoms

Connor Scores Two More, But Riders Take Close Contest

Published on March 28, 2014 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Youngstown Phantoms News Release


YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - Back and forth action at the Covelli Centre on Friday night eventually saw the Phantoms fall to the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders by a score of 4-3.

Continuing his pursuit of Phantoms history, Kyle Connor got things started on the scoreboard with a breakaway goal at the 5:35 mark of the first period.

"[JJ Piccinich] did a good job of pressuring the point to make them throw that pass all the way across," Connor said. "I was just kind of coming up to my point, cheating a little bit, and it ended up right on my stick. On the breakaway, I just kind of saw a little opening, I guess, and went to the forehand."

The remainder of the opening period was scoreless. In the second, the action heated up, beginning with Jason Kalinowski tying the game for Cedar Rapids, and then a five-minute major and a game misconduct for Josh Nenadal after a kneeing infraction.

The Phantoms were able to escape from the major penalty without allowing any power play goals, but the RoughRiders scored in four-on-four play that came immediately after.

"You get through the hard part, and on the four-on-four, they kind of get a break and score," said Anthony Noreen. "Overall though, I thought we did a very good job on special teams tonight."

Less than two minutes after the Roughriders took the lead, it was Connor who struck again for the Phantoms. Granted with open ice on the power play, the Phantoms' leading scorer moved to the top of the faceoff circle and ripped a shot passed goaltender Danny Tirone to tie the game.

"I was walking up the line; Melnick and I had a nice give-and-go," Connor said. "There was nobody on me, and I had a lot of time, so I figured again [to shoot]."

The goal gave Connor 70 points, and he now trails Austin Cangelosi by 12 for the all-time Youngstown lead.

Next up in the wild sequence of the second period: the Phantoms found themselves shorthanded after Conor Lemirande was whistled for hooking at the 17:37 mark of the second period. Frederik Tiffels made them pay by scoring just ten seconds later, giving the Roughriders the lead.

Fortunately for the Phantoms, they were able to respond shortly after when Trey Bradley backhanded a rebound home. Matt Miller and Piccinich were each credited with an assist on the equalizer.

The two teams went to the dressing room shortly thereafter, and it was not until the 5:37 mark of the third period that the deadlock was broken, as Scott Mouldenhauer put the RoughRiders back on top. This would go on to be the final, as the Phantoms could not find a way to get one back despite a flurry of chances at the end with Sean Romeo pulled for an extra attacker.

"I just tried to get [the puck] on the net, and [Lemirande] did a good job of tipping it," Kiefer Sherwood said on the last ditch effort to tie the game, including a chance that barely missed. "There was a little scrum, but sometimes the bounces don't go your way."

"I didn't think we really had any bad stretches in the game, and I didn't think we really got out of sorts during the game," added Noreen. "I thought we were pretty even-keeled right down to the end there. It was pretty clear that we were still pushing and creating chances."

The Phantoms are left to rue the close loss, but can take solace in knowing that they have a rematch with the RoughRiders scheduled for tomorrow.

"We just have to forget about it, because there's nothing we can change now," Bradley said, when asked about the loss. "We have to start focusing on tomorrow, now, and remember to stay discipline and bring the same energy."

"There's always something to play for," Noreen said, when asked how he keeps his players motivated in this situation. "We talked about it before tonight's game. No matter the circumstance, it's your choice how you choose to handle it-what type of attitude and what type of effort you put forth.

"Something I tell the guys all the time is that it's not when you're on a winning streak, it's not when you're in the championship game, it's not when you're on a roll that's going to define your character, it's when things aren't going well. The playoff situation is what it is, but what our guys are right now is what they're going to be for the rest of their career, and that's what I've been telling them."

Check out the Youngstown Phantoms Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



United States Hockey League Stories from March 28, 2014


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central