Phantoms Creep Past Steel Friday
February 4, 2017 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Chicago Steel News Release
GENEVA, ILLINOIS - Austin Pooley registered the final goal in a back-and-forth showdown Friday as the Youngstown Phantoms defeated the Chicago Steel, 4-3, in the opening game of a weekend set. The Phantoms (22-13-4-1, 49 pts.) improved to 2-1-0-0 this season against the Steel (25-9-1-3, 54 pts.). The two teams will meet again Saturday at Fox Valley Ice Arena with puck drop set for 7:05 p.m. CST.
Chicago got on the board first in a busy first period. Jack Badini recorded a power play goal at the 8:59 mark, redirecting a Reggie Lutz one-time shot from the right point. The goal was Badini's team-leading 18th tally of the season.
The Phantoms responded less than a minute and a half later. Curtis Hall won a left circle draw back to Max Ellis, who sped a shot past Steel netminder Ales Stezka at 10:14.
Each team registered a goal during a holding penalty against Chicago's Mitch Lewandowski. First, the Steel regained the lead thanks to Marc Johnstone's second shorthanded goal of the season, racing down the ice and bouncing a shot through the five-hole of Youngstown goalie Ivan Kulbakov at 12:18. But Youngstown then cashed in on the power play when Tommy Apap tipped a shot into the net at 13:25, tying the game, 2-2.
Before the opening period ended, Youngstown gained its first lead of the game when Marshall Moise recorded his first goal as a Phantom, jamming a shot in from the top of the crease at 16:36.
Early in the second period, Steel winger Brannon McManus brought the game to its third and final tie. McManus reached back and fired a highlight-reel shot from the left faceoff dot into the far top corner of the net, beating Kulbakov over his glove at 0:56.
Youngstown went back on top at 12:36 when Pooley tipped a Max Ellis shot from the left half-wall. The Phantoms led, 4-3, at the second intermission.
Chicago outshot Youngstown, 9-8, in the third period, but was not able to find the equalizer. A late power play chance for Chicago was immediately canceled out by a slashing minor called against Corson Green. The Steel pulled Stezka for an extra attacker with two minutes remaining, but Kulbakov denied Chicago's last chances to record his 18th win of the season.
Chicago suffered its ninth regulation loss of the season, and third in a five-game span. Dubuque (26-10-1-2, 55 pts.), who has played one more game than Chicago, leapfrogged the Steel in the Eastern Conference standings, as the Steel find themselves out of the first-place spot in the conference for the first time this season.
McManus' goal was his 60th career USHL point. Graham Lillibridge recorded two assists for Chicago. Ellis (1G+1A), Hall (0+2), and Dominic Dockery (0+2) each registered multiple points for the visitors.
Chicago wraps up its season-long eight-game homestand Saturday, Feb. 4, with a 7:05 p.m. CST rematch against the Phantoms. The game will feature a 30th Anniversary Celebration of the classic hockey video game, Blades of Steel. Plus, it's a Meijer Kids Day - kids 12 and under can get an Attack Preferred Ticket, Drawstring Bag, Popcorn and Post-Game Autographs for just $10. For tickets or more information, call 855-51-STEEL, stop by the Box Office at Fox Valley Ice Arena or visit ChicagoSteelHockeyTeam.com.
Youngstown Phantoms 4 at Chicago Steel 3 - Status: Final
Friday, February 3, 2017 - Fox Valley Ice Arena
Youngstown 3 1 0 - 4
Chicago 2 1 0 - 3
1st Period-1, Chicago, Badini 18 (Lutz, Lillibridge), 8:59 (PP). 2, Youngstown, Ellis 2 (Hall ), 10:14. 3, Chicago, Johnstone 7 12:18 (SH). 4, Youngstown, Apap 3 (Estes, Dockery), 13:25 (PP). 5, Youngstown, Moise 3 (Petrillo, Hall ), 16:36. Penalties-Esposito Yng (delay of game), 4:02; Karashik Chi (delay of game), 4:02; Hall Yng (tripping), 7:30; Lewandowski Chi (holding), 11:52; Ruggiero Yng (high sticking), 18:54.
2nd Period-6, Chicago, McManus 11 (Lewandowski, Lillibridge), 0:56. 7, Youngstown, Pooley 13 (Ellis, Dockery), 12:36. Penalties-Moise Yng (boarding), 6:45; Kachyna Chi (interference), 10:35; Hall Yng (slashing), 17:48.
3rd Period- No Scoring.Penalties-Lutz Chi (charging), 7:40; Gingell Yng (roughing), 17:41; Green Chi (slashing), 17:48.
Shots on Goal-Youngstown 13-6-8-27. Chicago 7-8-9-24.
Power Play Opportunities-Youngstown 1 / 4; Chicago 1 / 5.
Goalies-Youngstown, Kulbakov 18-9-4-1 (24 shots-21 saves). Chicago, Stezka 14-7-0-2 (27 shots-23 saves).
A-765
Referees-Jake Rekucki (10).
Linesmen-Kyle Richetelle (97), Anthony Vikhter (63).
United States Hockey League Stories from February 4, 2017
- Phantoms Melt Steel 5-1 - Youngstown Phantoms
- Postgame Recap: Hawks Tied at the Top - Waterloo Black Hawks
- Phantoms Menace Steel Saturday - Chicago Steel
- Riders Snatch Victory Away in the Closing Hour - Dubuque Fighting Saints
- Pillaged - Madison Capitols
- Stars Stun Lancers 4-2 - Omaha Lancers
- Black Hawks Sling Past Storm, 5-1 - Tri-City Storm
- Media Advisory Stars Respond, Beat Lancers 4-2 - Lincoln Stars
- Lancers Wrap up Home-And-Home with Lincoln - Omaha Lancers
- Game Tonight Lincoln Stars at Omaha Lancers - Lincoln Stars
- Storm Completes Three-Game Week at Waterloo - Tri-City Storm
- Waterloo Offense Excels - Waterloo Black Hawks
- Phantoms Win Back-And-Forth Battle over Chicago 4-3 - Youngstown Phantoms
- Phantoms Creep Past Steel Friday - Chicago Steel
- Hamelin Plays Hero in OT - Omaha Lancers
- Rough Third Period - Madison Capitols
- Stars Fall to Lancers in OT, 2-1 - Lincoln Stars
- Third Period Effort Propels Saints to Win - Dubuque Fighting Saints
- Buccaneers Fall to Dubuque 3-1 - Des Moines Buccaneers
- Three in a Row - Green Bay Gamblers
- Stampede Overpowered by Sioux City - Sioux Falls Stampede
- Weissbach's Two-Goal Effort Not Enough in 7-4 Loss - Tri-City Storm
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