Five Unanswered Goals Push Cedar Rapids Past Phantoms
Published on December 31, 2009 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Youngstown Phantoms News Release
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - Five unanswered goals by five different Cedar Rapids RoughRiders gave the home side a 5-1 victory over the Youngstown Phantoms Thursday night at the Cedar Rapids Ice Arena.
After a scoreless opening period, the Phantoms (13-12-2, 28 points) got on the scoreboard first courtesy of Tom Serratore, but they fell for just the second time all season when netting the game's opening tally. With the come-from-behind win, the RoughRiders (14-12-2, 30 points) moved two points ahead of Youngstown for third place alone in the East Division.
Jefferson Dahl came into the game with the longer goal-scoring streak - five games - but Serratore extended his early in the second period when he deflected Adam Berkle's power-play wrister past Troy Grosenick's glove hand. Serratore's ninth of the campaign gave him goals in four consecutive contests.
Cedar Rapids' Nick Leppin caught a break about four minutes later at the 8:13 mark when he converted the rebound of defenseman Jared Beers' missed shot from the right of the Phantoms' goal. Beers hit the outside of the net frame, but it bounced right into the slot, where Leppin tied the game 1-1.
Youngstown turned in a superlative effort to kill off a five-on-three RoughRiders power play later in the second, but Eric Robinson snapped a shot by Jordan Tibbett from the outer edge of the left circle just moments after the teams returned to even strength to make it 2-1 with 4:17 left before the intermission.
Jeff Costello then registered his team-leading 12th goal of the season when he finished a quick two-on-one rush with a deflection. Goaltender Grosenick earned the secondary assist, as he pumped the puck ahead to Jeff Lehrke with the 'Riders on a power play. Lehrke then found Costello in the low slot to make it 3-1 1:07 after Robinson's tally.
Stephen Collins slammed home a rebound during a two-man advantage at 4:11 of the third to push the Cedar Rapids edge to 4-1, and then Justin Kovacs set up Michael Parks from in tight at 8:46 to provide the final margin.
Go to http://www.pointstreak.com/prostats/boxscore.html?gameid1048966 for full box score.
A Saturday-Sunday two-game series in Green Bay, Wisc., is up next as the Phantoms kick off the new year on the road. Saturday's contest starts at 8:05 Eastern time from the Resch Center. Follow the Phantoms all season long via Youngstown's ESPN 1240 (www.wbbw.com) and the B2 Networks at www.b2tv.com.
The Youngstown Phantoms are a Member Club of the United States Hockey League (USHL), America's only Tier I hockey league and premier developer of National Hockey League talent with more than 100 alumni on current NHL rosters.
United States Hockey League Stories from December 31, 2009
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- U.S. National U18 Team Edged By Fargo, 4-3 - U.S. National Team
- U.S. National U17 Team Drops Russia, 7-4, At World Under-17 Challenge - U.S. National Team
- Five Unanswered Goals Push Cedar Rapids Past Phantoms - Youngstown Phantoms
- Former Stampede Forwards Micflikier And Prough Named To ECHL All-Star Game - Sioux Falls Stampede
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