USHL Youngstown Phantoms

Phantoms Close out Season with 3-1 Win over Team USA

Published on April 25, 2021 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Youngstown Phantoms News Release


YOUNGSTOWN, OH - Team USA needed a win to keep their playoff hopes alive, but Jaden Grant put up three points, Jack Malone put up two, and Mattias Sholl stopped 37 of 38 as the Youngstown Phantoms (12-30-5-2, 31 points) downed the U17's 3-1 at the Covelli Centre Saturday night in the final game of the season.

"(Mattias) had a great game tonight," said Phantoms Head Coach Brad Patterson. "Especially that third period. I felt maybe the first five minutes of the game he was tested, and the guys did a really good job in front of him."

Despite USA dominating the early going of the game, Youngstown got on the board with their first shot of the game. Sergei Kuznetzov leaked behind the defense and beat Tyler Muszelik (21 saves) with a backhander to the top shelf at 4:42, giving Youngstown a 1-0 lead.

The Phantoms weren't credited with another shot on net until 13:29, but that one resulted in a goal as well. Jack Malone beat Muszelik with a wrap around to double the Phantoms lead. Malone had a goal and an assist in the final game of his junior hockey career, ending with 115 career points (34G-81A), third on the Phantoms all-time scoring list. "Jack is one of the all-time Phantom greats," said Patterson. "We see the execution, but what you don't see is how he is around other people. He's a terrific human being. He's a great guy to have that Phantoms sweater beside moving forward. I expect great things from him in the future, and I'm very fortunate to have been able to work with him. I look forward to seeing his career path moving forward."

Youngstown carried the 2-0 lead into the second period and grew it 33 seconds in to the middle frame. On the power play, Jaden Grant attempted a cross-crease pass, but it was defended by USA. The carom came right back to Grant and he stuffed it through Muzelik's five-hole for his ninth of the season and a 3-0 Phantoms lead.

USA came on strong in the third period and ended up outshooting Youngstown 23-6 in the frame. Sholl held strong to begin the period, but lost the shutout bid with 6:28 remaining in regulation. Jimmy Snuggerud blasted a shorthanded goal past Sholl from the top of the left circle, getting USA on the board. The NTDP pulled Muszelik to the bench for the extra attacker with 3:21 remaining in regulation but could get no closer and the Phantoms held on for the win.

"It's an emotional night for not only us as a staff, but for the guys as well," said Patterson. "This year, we've alluded to all the different circumstances that we've been through together. Those guys showed up every day and worked hard. It's a credit to them to push it through here tonight. Ultimately you want to go out on a good note so you have good memories, and those relationships (among the team) are key. That's what we talked about over the past 24-48 hours. We're all going to stay in touch in the future, but it's probably not going to happen where we're all in the same room at the same time again. We should cherish that moment, and cherish what you put in to this year, and really leave it all out on the ice tonight, and the guys did that."

The Youngstown Phantoms would like to thank the 13,000 + fans who safely attended our games this season, the Covelli Centre, and the City of Youngstown for all of the work that went in to providing our team a safe and healthy place to play this season.

By the Numbers

Shots - 24

Saves - 37

Power Play - 1/3

Penalty Kill - 5/5

Goals - Grant, Kuznetzov, Malone

Assists - Furey, Grant (2), Isogai, Malone, May

Box Score - https://www.ushl.com/view#/game-summary/9616

Check out the Youngstown Phantoms Statistics

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