Phantoms Grab Physical 6-1 Win Over Roughriders
Published on February 3, 2024 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Youngstown Phantoms News Release
Youngstown Phantoms' Adam Pietila and Cedar Rapids RoughRiders' James Norton in action
(Youngstown Phantoms, Credit: Scott Galvin/Scott Galvin Photography)
Youngstown, OH - The Youngstown Phantoms (21-11-4-1, 47pts) scored a pair of goals each period and got another solid goaltending performance from their rookie netminder as they picked up a gritty 6-1 win against the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders Friday night at the Covelli Centre.
The action was physical early and extended throughout the contest. Phantoms Head Coach Ryan Ward was pleased with how his team answered after falling short in Thursday's game.
"I thought we got off to a good start. I thought our guys played hard and played for each other. From the net out it was a complete effort," Ward said. "I loved what we did with the puck tonight. We knew it was going to be a hard game, we knew we were going to have to work and I thought our guys answered the bell."
Ryan Botterill opened the scoring for the Phantoms quickly when he found the back of the net on a 2-on-1 just 3:26 into the game. Botterill was officially hot to start the game when he took Conner de Haro's rebound and sent a one-timer into the back of the cage to extend the home team lead to 2-0 seven minutes in. The defense from both teams gained traction through the rest of the period, ending the frame 2-0.
The second period started slow with the Phantoms having multiple power play opportunities, coming up short each time. Just after the third Phantoms power play of the period expired, Kuzma Voronin created a turnover at the side of the net, battled through traffic, and elevated a shot that found the cage at the 10:57 mark. Adam Pietila continued his blistering hot streak tonight when he redirected home a shot off a Phantoms 3-on-1 at 16:17, giving Youngstown a 4-0 lead at the end of the middle frame.
Ryan O'Connell got the RoughRiders on the board 16 seconds into the third to bring the score to 4-1, but the Phantoms answered right back. Pietila got his second goal of the night and teamleading 19th with a laser past the defense 34 seconds after the RoughRiders goal. Rookie defenseman Sascha Boumedienne ended the scoring at 2:18 when he connected on a wrister from just inside the blue line, giving the Phantoms their first power play goal of the night and wrapping up the 6-1 final. The physicality of these teams started to show in the third period. Thirteen total penalties came in the period after bodies came together multiple times.
Aiden Wright had another stellar night in goal for the Phantoms. Coming off a game where he stopped 24 of 25 shots last Saturday, Wright stopped 24 of 25 shots again tonight, earning his second USHL win. James Norton was in net for the RoughRiders where he stopped 29 of 35 shots., suffering his first USHL loss.
The Phantoms host the RoughRiders on the back end of their home stand tomorrow night. Puck drop is 7:05pm at the Covelli Centre. The Phantoms will be having their annual Teddy Bear Toss and fans are encouraged to bring a stuffed animal to throw on the ice after Youngstown scores its first goal. All stuffed animals collected will be donated to Akron Children's Hospital.
By the Numbers
Shots - 35
Saves - 25
Power Play - 1/6
Penalty Kill - 5/5
Goals - Botterill (2), Boumedienne, Pietila (2), Voronin
Assists - Boumedienne, Burchill, de Haro, Jencko, Machu, Rucinski, Smith (2), Voronin
Box Score - https://ushl.com/ht/#/game-summary/11108
Images from this story
 Youngstown Phantoms' Adam Pietila and Cedar Rapids RoughRiders' James Norton in action (Scott Galvin/Scott Galvin Photography) |
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