Fast Start Helps Phantoms Snap Three Game Skid

December 18, 2015 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Youngstown Phantoms News Release

YOUNGSTOWN, OH - The Youngstown Phantoms topped the Waterloo Black Hawks 5-4 Friday night in Youngstown. The Phantoms jumped out to an early three goal lead, but the Black Hawks fought back to tie things early in the final period.

"We got complacent, and I'm not happy with that. Glad to get the two points, but we need a more complete effort from start to finish tomorrow night," said Phantoms Head Coach John Wroblewski.

Kevin Conley got Youngstown on the board just 63 seconds into the contest, beating Waterloo goaltender Drew Hotte stick side for his fourth goal of the year. Conley would add another just three minutes later. Both goals were unassisted.

The early onslaught continued, as Lukas Craggs gave the Phantoms a three goal advantage just 6:28 into the contest.

Waterloo would fight back however, beginning with Niko Hildenbrand's second goal of the season. The Black Hawks would score two more unanswered goals, tying things at three just minutes into the final period.

Youngstown would strike back quickly, when Phantoms Captain Matt Alvaro scored his second of the season a minute after Waterloo had tied the game. Alvaro's tally gave Youngstown a lead it would never relinquish.

"You can't be giving up three goal leads, but with that being said I think good teams find ways to win. It wasn't pretty, but it's two points that we needed," Alvaro said.

The Phantoms would extend the lead again after Vas Kolias' empty net goal gave Youngstown a 5-3 advantage. Waterloo refused to quit, scoring to cut the Phantoms lead in half with just 30 seconds left in regulation, but Youngstown goalie Colin DeAugustine and company secured the victory.

Youngstown and Waterloo will faceoff again Saturday night at the Covelli Centre. Puck drop is set for 7:05p.m.

United States Hockey League Stories from December 18, 2015

• Gamblers Thwart Chicago Comeback Friday - Chicago Steel
• Buccaneers Hold off Omaha 6-4 - Des Moines Buccaneers
• Lumberjacks Complete Comeback with 5-4 Overtime Win - Muskegon Lumberjacks
• Gamblers Defeat Steel at Home - Green Bay Gamblers
• Stampede Move into 1st Place with Win at Fargo - Sioux Falls Stampede
• Allison's Hat Trick Propels Storm Past Musketeers, 3-2 in OT - Tri-City Storm
• Comeback Falls Short in 6-4 Loss at Des Moines - Omaha Lancers
• Payusov Wills Caps Past Stars in Furious 4-Goal Comeback - Madison Capitols
• Fast Start Helps Phantoms Snap Three Game Skid - Youngstown Phantoms
• Capitols Come Back, Top Stars, 4-2 - Lincoln Stars
• Phantoms Elude Hawks in Opener - Waterloo Black Hawks
• Fighting Saints Hold On, Top Team USA U18s - Dubuque Fighting Saints
• Caps Welcome Stars on Turkey Drive Night - Madison Capitols
• Weekend Preview vs. Omaha and Lincoln - Des Moines Buccaneers
• Tortora's OT Goal Lifts U.S. National U17 Team Past Russia, 5-4 - U.S. National Team
• Tri-City Storm Partners with Sammy's Supeheroes to Tackle Pediatric Cancer - Tri-City Storm
• Brian Williams Commits to UMass-Amherst - Omaha Lancers
• Solow Added to Fighting Saints Roster - Dubuque Fighting Saints

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