Makowski Helps Gamblers Squeeze Past Phantoms, 2-1
January 3, 2010 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Youngstown Phantoms News Release
GREEN BAY, Wisc. - Defenseman David Makowski's tiebreaking goal early in the third period was the difference Sunday afternoon, as the Green Bay Gamblers squeaked by the Youngstown Phantoms 2-1 at the Resch Center.
Makowski's wrister from the right point found just enough space between Youngstown goaltender Jordan Tibbett's left arm and the right post at 3:11 of the final frame. Tibbett, getting his fifth start in the Phantoms' last five games and enjoying a stretch of strong play, stopped 36 Green Bay shots.
Tibbett's netminding counterpart Ryan McKay held firm in the final minute, stopping Luke Eibler and Tom Serratore in quick succession with less than 15 seconds to play to preserve the victory. McKay made 23 saves to earn his fifth win.
The first-place Gamblers (21-6-3, 45 points) swept the two-game weekend series with Youngstown (13-14-2, 28 points) and now lead the season series 3-1 with one matchup left, Feb. 28 in Green Bay. The Phantoms have dropped three straight, all on the road, and are below the.500 mark for the first time since Oct. 30. They will attempt to regain their equilibrium against the West Division's Fargo Force Friday and Saturday at the Covelli Centre.
After surrendering the final four goals of the game in Saturday night's 7-2 loss, the Phantoms came back to construct a competitive first period Sunday afternoon, but they still faced a deficit through 20 minutes. Patrick McCadden's centering pass from the bottom of the right circle found Robert Francis at the top of the crease, who converted for a 1-0 Green Bay advantage at 9:03.
Youngstown got into severe penalty trouble to start the second, as they took four straight minors in the opening 11:40, but the Phantoms were able to kill all four ensuing Green Bay power plays to keep it 1-0. One day after scoring three goals with the man advantage, the Gamblers went x-for-x on the afternoon.
The Phantoms' success on the penalty kill loomed large when they tied the game on a power play of their own late in the middle stanza. Good puck movement gave defenseman Luke Eibler a good look from 25 feet away, but he elected to pass to a wide open Taylor Holstrom at the left post. Holstrom tapped in the smooth setup for his eighth of the season at 15:31, and the teams skated into what would be a decisive third period.
Go to http://www.pointstreak.com/prostats/boxscore.html?gameid1048982 for full box score.
Come out to the Covelli Centre for the Phantoms' next game, a matchup with the West Division's Fargo Force Friday night at 7:15 p.m. Enjoy $1 brews all night long as it will be another Bargain Beer Night! If you can't make it to the game, 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 January 3, 2010
- U.S. Advances To Gold-Medal Game With 5-2 Win Over Sweden At World Junior Championship - U.S. National Team
- U.S. National U17 Team Tops Sweden, 6-5, In OT - U.S. National Team
- Makowski Helps Gamblers Squeeze Past Phantoms, 2-1 - Youngstown Phantoms
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