Phantoms Drop Series Finale to Lumberjacks 4-1
Published on April 3, 2022 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Youngstown Phantoms News Release
YOUNGSTOWN, OH - After scoring a combined 10 goals in the first two games of the weekend, the Youngstown Phantoms' (26-20-5-4, 61 points) offense fell silent on Sunday, only mustering a single goal as they fell to the Muskegon Lumberjacks 4-1 at the Covelli Centre.
After a scoreless first period, Youngstown ran the "pass off the pads" play to perfection during the first minute of the second to grab a 1-0 lead. Trey Taylor's low wrister was redirected by Shane LaChance and kicked out by Chase Clark (15 saves). Clark couldn't control the rebound, however, and it went right to Justin Varner in the low slot. With Clark out of position, Varner fired the puck to the twine 57 seconds into the period for his 10th goal of the season.
That would cap off the scoring for the Phantoms, though, as they only mustered 16 shots on the game. Philip Tresca tied the game for Muskegon at 4:06 after a Youngstown turnover in their own end. Jack Williams notched the game winner at 16:49, scoring when his cross-ice pass hit a body in front of the net and deflected behind Kyle Chauvette (29 saves). Quinn Hutson tacked on an insurance goal at 6:43 of the third with a power play wrister from the right point, and Parker Lindauer tacked on an empty netter at 18:45 to cap off the scoring.
Youngstown clinched the season series against Muskegon with their win over the Lumberjacks on Saturday, but the teams are now separated by 3 points in the Eastern Conference standings as the push towards the Clark Cup Playoffs continues. Both teams have seven games remaining after tonight's contest. Youngstown still owns a 5-point lead on the fifth-place Madison Capitols, their potential matchup in a first-round series if the current standings hold. The 3- and 4-seeds in each conference will host the first round of the Clark Cup playoffs in a best-of-three series beginning Monday April 25. Youngstown wraps up its four-game homestand Tuesday night with a battle against the U17's, making up the cancelled game from January 28.
By the Numbers
Shots - 16
Saves - 29
Power Play - 0/6
Penalty Kill - 2/3
Goals - Varner
Assists - LaChance, Taylor
Box Score - https://www.ushl.com/view#/game-summary/10169
United States Hockey League Stories from April 3, 2022
- Phantoms Drop Series Finale to Lumberjacks 4-1 - Youngstown Phantoms
- Storm Drops Overtime Decision to Stars - Tri-City Storm
- Jacks Score Four Unanswered, Escape Youngstown with 4-1 over Phantoms - Muskegon Lumberjacks
- Storm Set for Road Battle with Stars - Tri-City Storm
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