Gacek's Hat Trick Propels Phantoms to 1st-Round Sweep of Cedar Rapids
Published on April 17, 2012 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Youngstown Phantoms News Release
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - After a dramatic overtime victory in Game 1, Alex Gacek and the Youngstown Phantoms didn't save much suspense for the second contest.
The Miami University commit scored three goals to lead the Phantoms to a 6-2 win over the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders, securing a 2-0 sweep in the opening round of the Clark Cup Playoffs. The Phantoms will face the Green Bay Gamblers in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Game 1 of the best-of-five series is set for Saturday, April 21 at 8:05 p.m. EST at the Resch Center in Green Bay, Wis.
Todd Koritzinsky and Soren Jonzzon also scored while Austin Cangelosi added an empty-net goal. Between the pipes, Matthew O'Connor was outstanding, turning away 30 of 32 shots to backstop the Phantoms to their first playoff series win in franchise history.
"Obviously from a rest standpoint, to get out of [the series] in two games is great," Head Coach Anthony Noreen said. "I think the bigger thing is having two wins on our home ice, in front of our fans, and letting this town see who this team is.
"I know I'm proud of them and I'm sure everyone in this town is just because of how hard they work on the ice."
Koritzinsky put the Phantoms out in front at the 12:11 mark in the first. Pat Conte took a seemingly harmless slap shot from just inside the blue line, but the puck kicked right out into the slot as Koritzinsky was crashing the net, and the first-year winger put it past Cedar Rapids netminder Jake Hildebrand.
"We stressed putting pucks to the net and scoring ugly, playoff-style goals," Noreen said. "If you're going to get through a great team like Cedar Rapids, you need other guys to chip, and Todd did a great job of that tonight."
Cedar Rapids, however, responded three and a half minutes later when Davey Middleton stepped into a one-timer at the right circle and beat O'Connor on the far post.
Gacek netted his first of the goal night 4:55 into the second period. JT Stenglein dug a puck out of his corner and chipped it up the right-wing boards ahead for Gacek. The Miami University commit picked it up at the blue line, blasted past RoughRider defender Chris Dienes and put a shot in the top corner before colliding with Hildebrand.
"I just beat the 'D' wide, used my speed and took the puck hard to the net," Gacek said. "Luckily it went in."
"A big part of why some players and teams struggle against a team like Cedar Rapids is because they're so fast," Noreen said. "But Alex can skate right with, if not better, than a lot of those guys. I think you saw his speed on display in that first goal."
The Dracut, Mass., native notched the eventual game-winner at the 10:39 mark while playing 4-on-4. Alexander Dahl drew the defense and put a shot low on Hildebrand that kicked right out to Gacek on the doorstep and he slid the puck into the open net to put the Phantoms up 3-1 heading into the third.
On their fourth power play of the evening and 12th of the series, the RoughRiders finally solved the Phantoms penalty kill. Gerald Mayhew one-touched a puck from the low slot to beat O'Connor and make it a 3-2 game. But just 88 seconds later, Jonzzon stretched it back to a two-goal margin when he camped out on the back post and stuffed in a Ryan Belonger shot that squirted past Hildebrand.
Cangelosi added an empty-netter with 2:15 remaining to make it 5-2, but the RoughRiders continued to desperately press to tie the game. Cedar Rapids Head Coach Mark Carlson pulled Hildebrand again for the extra attacker in the game's final minute, but the Phantoms were able to clear their defensive zone. It came down to a foot race for the loose puck and Gacek shot right between the defensemen, picked it up and put in the open net to complete the hat trick.
After the win, Noreen said his team was eager to get the second-round matchup with No. 1-seed Green Bay going.
"I think at this point, if we could play tomorrow, the guys would want to play tomorrow," Noreen said. "There's no such thing about being tired or sore or hurt. It's playoff hockey - it's the most fun time of the year. I think everybody's ready to go."
Phantoms by the Numbers
42 - Shots
30 - Saves
75 percent - Penalty Kill (3-for-4)
3G-0A-3PTS - Gacek
1G-0A-1PT - Cangelosi, Jonzzon, Koritzinsky
Next on the Slate
The Phantoms face the Green Bay Gamblers in the best-of-five Eastern Conference Semifinals starting on Friday. The puck drops at 8:05 p.m. EST in the Resch Center.
Season tickets for the 2012-13 season are on sale now. For a limited time, season ticket plans for all 32 home games next season start at the low price of just $160, but only if fans lock in by July 31. Call the Phantoms office 330.747.PUCK (7825) for more information or to reserve seats today. For all the latest Phantoms news, visit www.YoungstownPhantoms.com .
United States Hockey League Stories from April 17, 2012
- Gacek's Hat Trick Propels Phantoms to 1st-Round Sweep of Cedar Rapids - Youngstown Phantoms
- Fighting Saints Win 7-3, Sweep Team USA - Dubuque Fighting Saints
- Hawks Hang On, Move On - Waterloo Black Hawks
- U.S. National Under-17 Team Falls to Dubuque, 7-3, in Game 2 of USHL Clark Cup Playoffs - U.S. National Team
- U.S. Men's National Under-18 Team Bests Canada, 5-3, in 2012 IIHF Men's World Championship - U.S. National Team
- Gamblers Pass out Year-End Awards - Green Bay Gamblers
- First Round Series Continues in Dubuque Tonight - Dubuque Fighting Saints
- Clark Cup Playoffs Party at Anduzzi's - Green Bay Gamblers
- Ice's Gillies Goaltender of Week - Indiana Ice
- Waterloo Wins Game 1 in First Round Series, 6-4 - Tri-City Storm
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