Heartbreak: Phantoms Push Saints to the Brink
April 21, 2018 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Dubuque Fighting Saints News Release
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - The Dubuque Fighting Saints held 1-0 and 2-1 leads in Game 2, but were unable to hold on. Samuel Salonen scored at the 14:40 mark of the third period to complete the comeback for the Youngstown Phantoms, who defeated the Saints 3-2 in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals on Saturday night at the Covelli Centre. The Saints are now on the brink of elimination, down 2-0 in the series heading home for a decisive Game 3 on Tuesday night.
Salonen capitalized on a Fighting Saints turnover in the defensive zone, as teammate Curtis Hall found him in the slot, and his one-timer bested Cole Weaver to give the Phantoms the lead in the closing moments of regulation. The Saints came close with a couple of opportunities in tight on Ivan Prosvetov, but not to be.
The Saints took two leads on the night, and the opening goal came from a familiar source after a scoreless first period. Alex Steeves found Quinn Preston after a turnover forced by Taylor Schneider in the high slot, and Preston's fourth tally of the postseason gave the Fighting Saints the 1-0 lead 38 seconds into the second period.
Dalton Hunter added to the scoring party with his second of the postseason, as a netmouth scramble ended up with a wide open net for the former Youngstown Phantom to shoot at. That goal came in immediate response to Curtis Hall's tying marker at 5:40. Hunter's goal came at 7:44.
A late Fighting Saints power play went awry. A controlled entry turned into a clear turnover to Matthew Barry, and the top-flight forward for the Phantoms connected on a shorthanded goal to pull Youngstown even after two periods of play.
The Saints picked up where they left off after last night and drew four power play opportunities against an undisciplined Phantoms squad, and took 32 shots on goal. However, the penalty kill was perfect, and Prosvetov turned aside 30 of the 32 offerings fired his way in the victory. Even more pressing, the Saints limited Youngstown to just 5 shots on goal in the first, and 4 in the second, but the last one taken of the third proved critical.
The Fighting Saints will need to win the final three games of the series to move on to the Eastern Conference Final, and the climb begins Tuesday, April 24 at home for Game 3. Kids 12 and under are FREE with the purchase of an adult ticket. Get your tickets by calling the box office at 563.583.6880, or by going to DubuqueFightingSaints.com.
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United States Hockey League Stories from April 21, 2018
- Overtime Unkind in Game One - Waterloo Black Hawks
- Stars Steal Game 1 with 3-2 Overtime Win - Lincoln Stars
- Salonen's Late Goals Lifts Phantoms to Game Two Win - Youngstown Phantoms
- Heartbreak: Phantoms Push Saints to the Brink - Dubuque Fighting Saints
- Rowe, Team U.S.A. Blank Steel in Game 1 - Chicago Steel
- NTDP Wins First-Ever USHL Post-Season Game - U.S. National Team
- Force Top Lancers in Game 1 - Omaha Lancers
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