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USHL Youngstown Phantoms

Phantoms Let 3rd-Period Lead Slip Away against USA

September 14, 2013 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Youngstown Phantoms News Release


INDIANAPOLIS - The Youngstown Phantoms carried a 1-0 lead into the third period but saw it vanish over the final 10 minutes of regulation Saturday morning at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. First-year forward Kiefer Sherwood's fourth goal of the preseason was not enough as the Team USA under-18 squad notched a pair late in the period and added an empty-netter with eight seconds remaining to hand Youngstown a 3-1 loss in its final tune-up before the regular season.

The Phantoms fell to 2-3-0 in the preseason, dropping their second and final game of the USHL Fall Classic East showcase. They open the regular season next Friday, Sept. 20 in Ann Arbor, Mich., against the same U.S. squad.

Despite lackluster result, head coach Anthony Noreen said he was encouraged by his team's growth over the weekend in Indianapolis.

"It was our best game of the preseason," Noreen said. "There were a lot of positive from today's game. That's a very talented hockey club that's been together for a year, but I thought we played a very solid, all-around game."

Jake Moore got the start in net turning away 19-of-21 shots in his fifth outing of the preseason while his counterpart Blake Weyrick turned away all but one of the 20 shots the Phantoms threw in his direction.

Sherwood gave Youngstown its first lead of the Fall Classic East less than three minutes into second period. Rookie blue liner Tommy Parran hit him with an outlet pass and he carried the puck into the zone before dishing it to Luke Stork in the corner and drifting to an opening in the low slot. Stork threaded it back to him and the New Albany, Ohio, native fired it five-hole on Weyrick.

"Stork did great getting it in the corner and made a nice pass," Sherwood. "I was lucky to get it in the slot and just hammered it away."

After being held scoreless in nine games with the Phantoms in 2012-13, Sherwood, who led the team with four goals this preseason, said it was a welcome boost heading into the regular season.

"It feels good to get a couple under my belt, but I think it's a reflection of the whole team right now," he said. "The ultimate goal is it doesn't really matter who scores, we've just got to win games."

The National Team knotted it up 9:59 into the third period when Joe Wegwerth and Sonny Milano snuck behind the defense for a 2-on-0 and Milano put a backhand shot past Moore. Then Shane Gersich put them ahead with 2:34 remaining in the period, beating Moore with a snap shot off another odd-man rush. Alex Tuch clinched the win with an empty-netter in the waning seconds of regulation.

Despite the positives Noreen took away from his team's performance, he said there is still a great deal of room for improvement before their rematch with USA next week, where two points in the standings will be on the line.

"It was closer to what we want to see," Noreen said. "We're still not there by any means yet, but it was a step in the right direction.

"When you play the same team, it will be very telling of how much we can improve this week in practice and how much we can learn and get better before we go and play them again at their place on Friday," he said. "Today was closer to what we want to see. We're still not there by any means yet, but it was a step in the right direction."

Phantoms by the Numbers

Shots - 20

Saves - 19

Power Play - 0-for-6

Penalty Kill - 5-for-5

Goals - Kiefer Sherwood

Assists - Parran, Stork

Next on the Slate

The Phantoms open up the regular season next Friday, Sept. 20 in Ann Arbor taking on Team USA. Puck drops at 7:05 p.m. EST at the Ice Cube and the game will be webcast on FASTHockey.com

Season tickets for the 2013-14 season are on sale now starting at the low price of just $8 a game. Benefits include invitations to exclusive season ticket holder events, discounts at the Phantoms Team Shop and much more. Call 330.747.PUCK (7825) for more information or to reserve seats today. For all the latest news, visit www.YoungstownPhantoms.com, follow the Phantoms on Twitter (@YtownPhantoms) and 'like' them on Facebook (www.Facebook.com/YoungstownPhantoms).

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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