Phantoms Elude Hawks in Opener

December 18, 2015 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Waterloo Black Hawks News Release

The Youngstown Phantoms won the first of two weekend matchups against the Waterloo Black Hawks Friday, pulling out a 5-4 victory.

Youngstown spooked the Black Hawks early, taking a 3-0 lead before the matchup was seven minutes old. Kevin Conley scored twice on transition chances, with a shot from the right circle at 1:03, then a stickhandling backhander at 4:45. The Phantoms capitalized again at 6:28 when Lukas Craggs' miscued shot deflected in off of a defender.

Waterloo recovered one goal before intermission. At 14:16, Niko Hildenbrand scored on a rebound from a sharp angle.

The Hawks followed up with the only goal during the second period. Cameron Orchard set up the opportunity from behind the Phantoms net, and after David Cotton's first chance was stopped, he swatted in his second opportunity out of midair at 6:33.

The Hawks completely overcame the early deficit when Brandon Schultz scored from the side of the net at 2:11 of the third period. However, Matt Alvaro answered 1:28 later, nudging the Phantoms back in front with a backhander.

With 1:24 to play, Cameron Morrison scored the goal which proved to be the winner, into an empty net from center ice. Waterloo tallied one more when Hildenbrand shoveled in a rebound with 31.1 seconds to go, but could not draw even again.

The same two teams meet Saturday with the opening faceoff at 6:05 Central Time.

United States Hockey League Stories from December 18, 2015

• Gamblers Thwart Chicago Comeback Friday - Chicago Steel
• Buccaneers Hold off Omaha 6-4 - Des Moines Buccaneers
• Lumberjacks Complete Comeback with 5-4 Overtime Win - Muskegon Lumberjacks
• Gamblers Defeat Steel at Home - Green Bay Gamblers
• Stampede Move into 1st Place with Win at Fargo - Sioux Falls Stampede
• Allison's Hat Trick Propels Storm Past Musketeers, 3-2 in OT - Tri-City Storm
• Comeback Falls Short in 6-4 Loss at Des Moines - Omaha Lancers
• Payusov Wills Caps Past Stars in Furious 4-Goal Comeback - Madison Capitols
• Fast Start Helps Phantoms Snap Three Game Skid - Youngstown Phantoms
• Capitols Come Back, Top Stars, 4-2 - Lincoln Stars
• Phantoms Elude Hawks in Opener - Waterloo Black Hawks
• Fighting Saints Hold On, Top Team USA U18s - Dubuque Fighting Saints
• Caps Welcome Stars on Turkey Drive Night - Madison Capitols
• Weekend Preview vs. Omaha and Lincoln - Des Moines Buccaneers
• Tortora's OT Goal Lifts U.S. National U17 Team Past Russia, 5-4 - U.S. National Team
• Tri-City Storm Partners with Sammy's Supeheroes to Tackle Pediatric Cancer - Tri-City Storm
• Brian Williams Commits to UMass-Amherst - Omaha Lancers
• Solow Added to Fighting Saints Roster - Dubuque Fighting Saints

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