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USHL Youngstown Phantoms

Phantoms Cut Down Muskegon 3-1

October 14, 2016 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Youngstown Phantoms News Release


BY MATTHEW LIPCSAK

MUSKEGON, MI-Powered by three first period goals and a solid 17-save performance by Ivan Kulbakov, the Youngstown Phantoms (4-2-0, 8 points) downed the Muskegon Lumberjacks 3-1 Friday night at L.C. Walker Arena in Muskegon.

"I thought we had a great start," said Youngstown Head Coach Brad Patterson. "We addressed some things through the week here that we wanted to see improved on from last weekend; I think our guys did it. I was very impressed by our first period...I think that set the tone for the game."

Evan Wisocky was the one who started setting that tone when he opened the scoring at 11:06, picking off a clearing pass and firing a quick wrist shot that beat Muskegon starting goaltender Keith Petruzzelli (8 saves) over the glove to get Youngstown out to a 1-0 lead. It was Wisocky's second goal of the year.

Alex Esposito made it 2-0 just over five minutes later with his fourth goal of the campaign, firing home a rebound from in tight at 16:08. "Alex is going to continue to produce by playing the game the right way and playing hard," Patterson said of his assistant captain.

Dominick Dockery made it 3-0 on the power play with a slap shot from the left point. "We want to have a shot first mentality," said Patterson. "Dominick did exactly that. He put his head down and hammered the puck." Dockery's goal at 17:34 was his first in the USHL and sent Youngstown to the locker room up 3-0 after the first.

There was no scoring in the second period, but there were plenty of penalties. 'Jacks defenseman Marc Del Gaizo and forward Will Smith both got early showers for checking from behind and unsportsmanlike conduct penalties respectively. The two teams combined for 89 penalty minutes. "I think both teams played extremely hard," said Patterson. "Some of the stuff was just the result of good battles in the corners and guys finishing checks."

Muskegon would manage to get on the board 7:20 into the third period as Andrei Svechnikov beat Kulbakov with a low wrist shot to cut the lead to 3-1. Muskegon pulled goaltender Adam Brizgala (15 saves), who came on at the start of the second period, with 2:25 remaining in the game, but were unable to draw any closer.

Youngstown and Muskegon will close out their weekend series on Saturday night with puck drop scheduled for 7:15pm. The game can be viewed on HockeyTV.

"They're going to come out, they're going to have fire in their belly, as they did in the third period today. We've got to expect them to come out and play a little bit harder and play a little bit better, and we've got to match that and then exceed it," concluded Patterson. "We're going to have a serious challenge in front of us tomorrow and I'm excited to get there."

By the Numbers

Shots -26

Saves -17

Power Play -1/4

Penalty Kill -4/4

Goals - Wisocky (2), A. Esposito (4, GWG), Dockery (1)

Assists - Werbik (2), Murray, Farmer

For all the latest news, follow the Phantoms on Twitter (@YtownPhantoms) and 'Like' them on Facebook (www.Facebook.com/YoungstownPhantoms). A full version of the Phantoms 2016-17 season schedule, as well as season tickets and mini-plan packages, is available now by visiting www.YoungstownPhantoms.com. Ticket packages can also be purchased by calling (330) 747-PUCK.

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United States Hockey League Stories from October 14, 2016


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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