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USHL Youngstown Phantoms

Phantoms Engage in Physical Battle, Win in Thrilling Fashion

March 29, 2015 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Youngstown Phantoms News Release


RALSTON, NE- The Youngstown Phantoms (37-14-5) earned a 2-1 win over the Omaha Lancers on Saturday night. Forward Taylor Best and defenseman Alec Vanko scored the goals for the Phantoms, who tie the USHL lead with their 37th win of the season.

The bodies and hits were flying in the opening period as both teams set a physical tone early in the contest. Emotions ran high throughout the opening 20 minutes, and as a result, forwards Matt Alvaro and James Winkler were assessed five minute majors and game misconducts for checking from behind and head contact, respectively.

The two sides headed to the locker room scoreless after the first, and in the second, the hard hitting, physical play continued, highlighted by a fight between forward Ryan Lomberg, and Omaha's Jake Henderson, midway through the frame.

Not long after, the Phantoms netted the game's first goal, when Best came over the Omaha blueline on a three-on-two rush and launched a wrister off the crossbar and in past Lancer goaltender Kris Oldham, putting the Phantoms up, 1-0, after 40 minutes.

"Nenadal made a great pass to me in the middle and Vas [Kolias] drew the defenseman to him, leaving me alone in the slot and I just put my head down and ripped it," said Best. "It was a tough, physical game, but we just worried about us and what we could control."

The Phantoms got a little insurance early in the third while on the power play, when a shot from Lomberg came off of the end boards right to Vanko to the left of the net, and he flipped it past Oldham, putting the Phantom up, 2-0.

"I knew there was a shot coming, so when he took it I just went to the back door and threw the shot towards the net and it went in," said Vanko. "I slid into Winkler's spot and I was in a similar position on the power play in Madison, so I felt pretty comfortable out there."

The Lancers cut the lead in half on a goal from Steven Spinner with eight minutes left in the third, however netminder Colin DeAugustine was strong in net, stopping 35 of the 36 shots he faced to backstop the Phantoms to the 2-1 win.

"It was a playoff-type hockey game tonight and we were expecting that," said Phantoms Head Coach Anthony Noreen. "We challenged our guys to play that type of hockey, and it was definitely an emotional and passionate game from both teams, but it was probably as gutsy of a win that we've had all season."

The Phantoms were outshot, 36-33, on the night, while the power play converted on one of seven opportunities. Youngstown returns home next Saturday, when they battle the Muskegon Lumberjacks at 7:05pm.

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