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USHL Youngstown Phantoms

Phantoms' First Period Explosion Leads to 7-3 Thumping of Muskegon

April 2, 2023 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Youngstown Phantoms News Release


Youngstown Phantoms battle the Muskegon Lumberjacks
Youngstown Phantoms battle the Muskegon Lumberjacks
(Youngstown Phantoms, Credit: Scott Galvin Photography)

YOUNGSTOWN, OH - Just past the seven-minute mark of the first period, the Youngstown Phantoms (34-17-4-1, 73 points) were down 2-0 to the Muskegon Lumberjacks. Youngstown scored five goals in the 13 minutes before the first period buzzer and coasted to a 7-3 win Saturday night at the Covelli Centre.

"Great energy, great enthusiasm all night. I liked how hard we played in the second half of the first period through the end of the game," said Phantoms Head Coach Ryan Ward. "Overall, a great effort. Good bounce back from last night."

Muskegon was crashing the cage early, and it paid off for them. Ethan Whitcomb put home a rebound at 5:24 to stake the visitors to an early lead. Teddy Spitznagel put home a rebound at 7:19 for his first career USHL goal, doubling the Lumberjacks' lead.

"Credit to them, our leadership group, and the whole team for sticking with the game plan," said Ward.

"The next goal after we went down 2-0, the next goal was huge. Obviously, we were able to get that and build from there."

Build from there is exactly what Youngstown did, as they ripped off five straight goals before the period ended. Shane Lachance reached around Raythan Robbins (37 saves) to stuff a backhander home at 8:23, getting Youngstown on the board. Matthew Perkins converted a one-timer off a 2-on-1 rush with Kenta Isogai at 11:11 to tie the game. William Whitelaw fired a wrister from the left circle over Robbins' shoulder for a power play goal at 12:57 to put Youngstown in front. Justin Varner won a battle in front and cashed in another power play goal at 14:58, scoring what would be the game-winner. Whitelaw won his own battle in front at 19:29 and scored again, tying Lachance for the team lead with his 32nd goal of the campaign.

Muskegon finally ended the Phantoms' scoring run 2:25 into the second period when Gavin McCarthy got a wrister through traffic and past the outstretched glove of Jacob Fowler (27 saves) for his second goal of the weekend, trimming the Youngstown lead to 5-3. The Phantoms responded in the final minute of the frame when Andrew Centrella poked a backhander through Robbins' five-hole at 19:16 for his second goal of the season, extending Youngstown's lead back to three at the second intermission. The red light didn't turn on again until late in the third period when Jake Rozzi stripped a Muskegon defender of the puck below the redline of the Jacks' zone and backhanded it into the empty net at 17:26 to put a bow on the night for Youngstown.

The Phantoms temporarily moved into first place after the game, but Chicago's come-from-behind overtime victory over Team USA put the Steel back into the Eastern Conference's pole position. Chicago comes to the Covelli Centre next weekend for a two-game set that could very well be the deciding factor in the Eastern Conference playoff race.

By the Numbers

Shots - 44

Saves - 27

Power Play - 2/3

Penalty Kill - 4/4

Goals - Centrella, Lachance, Perkins, Rozzi, Varner, Whitelaw (2)

Assists - Centrella (2), Cerbone, Isogai, Machu, Misiak (3), Pietila, Pitner, Rozzi, Whitelaw (2)

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Images from this story

Youngstown Phantoms battle the Muskegon Lumberjacks
Youngstown Phantoms battle the Muskegon Lumberjacks
(Scott Galvin Photography)		   



United States Hockey League Stories from April 2, 2023


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