USHL Youngstown Phantoms

Gensler's Last-Minute Goal Nets Point For Phantoms

Published on March 6, 2010 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Youngstown Phantoms News Release


KEARNEY, Neb. - Trailing the Tri-City Storm 4-2 with four minutes to play, the Youngstown Phantoms doggedly rallied for a pair of late goals, the second of which by Brett Gensler with just nine seconds left, earning a point in a 5-4 shootout loss Saturday night at the Viaero Event Center.

Entering the third period down a goal, the Phantoms had multiple chances to tie against Tri-City goaltender Carsen Chubak in the opening minutes of the frame, but couldn't pick up the equalizer. Chubak's saves loomed large when Radoslav Illo threw a shot from the left boards that struck a Phantom and slipped into the goal, raising the Storm lead to 4-2 at 5:19.

But Andrew Lamont roofed a backhand shot over Chubak with 3:10 left to send a nervous buzz through the 10-year-old building, setting up Gensler's team-leading 15th that capped a goalmouth scramble and sent the game to sudden-death overtime.

League-leading scorer Jaden Schwartz fired the shootout winner in the second round of the tiebreaker, as the Storm netted three to the Phantoms' one in the skills competition. Schwartz scored Tri-City's first three goals of the night, two of them shorthanded, for the first hat trick against Youngstown this season.

Mario Puskarich's goal ended the shootout in the fourth round, as only Jiri Sekac's backhand deke beat Chubak. Radoslav Illo led off the tiebreaker by beating Phantoms goalie Matt Mahalak with a forehand, as the Storm earned their fourth shootout win of the season.

The Storm won Friday night despite getting zero points from Schwartz, but they wouldn't have to worry about that on Saturday, as the Saskatchewan native flipped in his 28th goal of the season at 15:06 of the first. Schwartz' goal from the top of the crease followed a quick combination play by linemates Puskarich and Brett Mohler that slid the puck to the front.

Schwartz continued his resurgence 5:30 into the second, nailing a shorthanded breakaway, but Youngstown orchestrated a quick response 34 seconds later on the same power play chance. With Cody Strang circling the goal, defenseman Andrej Sustr set up in the high slot, taking the feed from Strang and wiring a drive over Chubak's glove.

Schwartz completed his hat trick at 12:05 as he broke down the left side and buried another breakaway with teammate Tyler Amburgey in the penalty box, restoring the two-goal Tri-City lead.

Once again, Youngstown had an answer, courtesy of Stuart Higgins on a shorthanded breakaway of his own. Higgins earned his sixth of the season by scooping up a loose puck at center ice and swinging a forehand that deflected off Chubak's body and a backchecking Mohler before trickling into the cage at 17:58 to make it 3-2 at the second intermission.

Youngstown returns home Friday for the first time in three weeks, taking on the Sioux City Musketeers at 7:15 p.m. It'll be Bargain Beer Night at Covelli Centre, with $1 brews sold all night long. Also, take advantage of the Phantoms Family Four Pack, with four tickets available for just $20!

Check out the Youngstown Phantoms Statistics

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



United States Hockey League Stories from March 6, 2010


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