USHL Youngstown Phantoms

Phantoms' Comeback Cut Short by Lumberjacks in Shootout

Published on February 12, 2012 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Youngstown Phantoms News Release


YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - The Youngstown Phantoms mounted a third-period comeback against the Muskegon Lumberjacks only to fall in the five-round shootout Sunday afternoon in the Covelli Centre. The 4-3 loss snapped the Phantoms' (24-13-4, fourth East) three-game winning streak and secured a split in season series with the Lumberjacks (12-20-5, seventh East).

Dylan Margonari scored a pair of goals, including the game-tying-goal with 2:37 remaining in regulation, while Mike Ambrosia tallied the Phantoms' lone other to extend his point-scoring streak to 11 straight games. Goaltender Matthew O'Connor made 17 saves on 20 shots in the losing effort.

At the other end, 'Jacks goaltender Hayden Stewart turned away 43 of 46 shots - stoning Austin Cangelosi on both a penalty shot and in the shootout - to secure the win less than 48 hours after the Phantoms chased him with three goals on just eight shots en route a 5-2 win in Muskegon.

"As rookie goaltender making only his fifth start in the league, I give him a ton of credit," Head Coach Anthony Noreen said. "We chased him out after three quick ones Friday night... and to show that mental toughness to put up 40-plus saves tonight was very impressive."

Muskegon jumped out to the lead at the 3:58 mark in the first period when Ryan Lomberg forced a turnover short-handed. He skated in alone on O'Connor, forcing the 6-foot-5 netminder to move laterally, before stuffing it five-hole. The Phantoms appeared to tie it up minutes later on a goal from Soren Jonzzon in the midst of a scrum, but after video review the referee determined the puck had been kicked across the goal line.

There would be no need for a review when Margonari netted his first of the night at the 11:21 mark in the period. JT Stenglein cycled it to him behind the net, and the Minnesota State-Mankato commit walked it out and slipped it in between Stewart's legs with a backhand wraparound to tie the game at 1-1, where it remained after 20 minutes.

Matt DeBlouw put the Lumberjacks up 2-1 at the 4:29 mark in the second with a backhand shot that beat O'Connor from the right circle. Then Tyler Heinonen added another at the 12:49 mark when he camped out in front of the Phantoms' net and batted in a rebound, giving Muskegon a two-goal cushion heading into the third period.

Ambrosia began the Phantoms' comeback bid 9:21 into the third period, with the team on the man-advantage. Sam Anas threw a shot on net from the point and Ambrosia won the ensuing fray in front of the crease to put the puck past Stewart.

Then a little after the 17-minute mark, Margonari chased down a dump in and forced a turnover behind the Lumberjacks' net. This time he walked out on his forehand side - using his 6-foot frame to shield the puck - and put a wrist shot inside the far post to tie the game up.

"There's no doubt Dylan is capable of playing in the NHL one day," Noreen said. "There aren't many guys who can skate and compete the way Dylan does.

"He's gotten bigger, he's gotten stronger and now he's starting to fill out his frame a little bit. Now he's got the ability not only to blow past guys with his speed, but overpower them with his strength to get to the net as well."

The next shift, Cangelosi split the Lumberjacks defense but was hauled down from behind by Carter Foguth and the referee pointed to center ice for a penalty shot. Cangelosi, however, was denied trying to go five-hole by Stewart and the teams went to overtime, where they still could not determine a winner.

"There was going to be no magic formula that was going to come out and get us a goal," Noreen said. "We just stuck to what we were doing - putting pucks on the net and playing the right way. I thought our guys' energy on the bench was absolutely awesome in the third period.

Tyler Henionen beat O'Connor high with a clean wrist shot in the second round of the shootout, but Ryan Belonger scored for the Phantoms in the third round to force sudden death. Then in the fifth round, Joseph Cox scored a low one along the ice and Ambrosia was denied by Stewart at the other end to give the Lumberjacks the win.

"I don't hold much stock in shootouts. It's a tie in my book," Noreen said. "It's great for the fans but the only stock I hold in it is we should not have let it get to that point."

Phantoms by the Numbers

46 - Shots

17 - Saves

100 percent - Penalty Kill

12.5 percent - Power Play (1-for-8)

2G-0A-2PTS - Margonari

0G-2A-2PTS - Stenglein

1G-0A-1PT -- Ambrosia

Staying Hot

With a goal Sunday, Mike Ambrosia stretched his point-scoring streak to 11 straight games. He has three goals, 15 assists and 18 points over that span.

Next on the Slate

The Phantoms return to action Friday in the Covelli Centre when they take on the Chicago Steel. The puck drops at 7:15 p.m. EST.

The Phantoms are partnering with Radio Disney AM 1260 to provide an exclusive preview of the brand-new upcoming Disney XD series Lab Rats in the Covelli Centre before the Phantoms take on the Steel.

In addition to getting a sneak peek of Lab Rats before the show premieres, the Radio Disney AM 1260 Road Crew will be on hand with interactive entertainment and prizes for fans of all ages. The first 1,000 fans will also receive a free Lab Rats poster, courtesy of Radio Disney AM 1260. The Covelli Centre doors will open early at 5:30 p.m. EST and the exclusive premiere of Lab Rats will air at 6 p.m. on the video boards.

Single game tickets for the 2011-12 season are on sale now. Season ticket and flex plans start at the low price of just $90. Call the Phantoms office today at 330.747.7825 for more information or to make a reservation today! For a complete Phantoms schedule, visit www.youngstownphantoms.com .

Check out the Youngstown Phantoms Statistics

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United States Hockey League Stories from February 12, 2012


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