USHL Youngstown Phantoms

Eveland's Big Night Spurs Omaha Over Youngstown

Published on March 19, 2010 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Youngstown Phantoms News Release


OMAHA, Neb. - Dakota Eveland scored the game's first two goals and assisted on two others as the Omaha Lancers converted a 3-0 second-period lead into a 6-1 win over the Youngstown Phantoms Friday Night at the Omaha Civic Auditorium.

Omaha (37-12-6, 80 points) blew a three-goal advantage Wednesday night against Fargo in a shootout loss, and when Nick Czinder netted his 10th of the season to draw Youngstown (17-34-3, 37 points) within 3-1 after two periods, the Lancers had to be experiencing a few flashbacks.

But Greg Wolfe pushed the Omaha advantage back to three just 59 seconds into the third, soon to be followed by Stefan Demopolous (8:27) and Troy Power (13:58) in the goal-scoring department. The Phantoms flung 17 shots at Lancers netminder John Keeney in the final frame, but couldn't get another puck into the cage as Omaha swept the four-game season series.

Matt Mahalak made a lunging stop on Eveland midway through the third to prevent the hat trick, one of several larcenous saves turned in by the first-year Phantoms goalie. Mahalak stopped 27 shots in his first start in 13 days.

Each side earned multiple power-play opportunities in the first, including a two-man advantage for Omaha, but it was a shorthanded tally that kicked off the night's scoring. Eveland took a lead pass down the right wing and threw a hard wrister past Mahalak's right pad for his 19th at 17:08, the Lancers' 14th shorthanded goal of the season.

Eveland struck again 8:27 into the second, sweeping the rebound of Aaron Ave's point shot into the open net at even strength for his fourth goal vs. Youngstown this season. Erik Haula followed 97 seconds later with Omaha on its fourth power play, quickly flipping a loose puck under the crossbar from the right post.

Czinder netted his first goal since Dec. 12, ending a 23-game drought with a power move to the net down the left wing, tossing a backhand off Keeney and into the cage with 3:13 to go before the second intermission. Dave Donnellan picked up the lone assist.

The three Omaha goals in the third were scored from perhaps a combined 20 feet. Wolfe lifted Eveland's centering pass over Mahalak from the right edge of the crease, then Demopolous and Power popped home rebounds from near the left post.

Youngstown finishes its last trip to the West Division Saturday with a tilt against the Sioux City Musketeers at 8 p.m. Eastern time. Follow the Phantoms all season long via Youngstown's ESPN 1240 (www.wbbw.com) and the B2 Networks at www.b2tv.com.

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United States Hockey League Stories from March 19, 2010


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