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USHL Youngstown Phantoms

Phantoms Mount Third Period Comeback But Ultimately Fall in Shootout

December 13, 2014 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Youngstown Phantoms News Release


KEARNEY, NE- The Youngstown Phantoms (12-7-5) fell to the Tri-City Storm, 3-2 in a shootout, on Saturday afternoon. Youngstown had numerous quality scoring opportunities, and received third period goals from defenseman Matt Miller and forward Josh Melnick.

The two sides engaged in fast paced, back-and-forth action in the opening period, however both goaltenders did not give an inch, and the teams went into the first intermission in a scoreless tie.

In the second, the Phantoms had a number of odd-man rushes and quality scoring opportunities, however the Storm struck first late in the frame, when defenseman Kevin Kerr slipped a centering pass past Phantoms netminder Chris Birdsall, giving the Storm a 1-0 lead, 18:31 into the period.

Just 19 seconds later, Tri-City scored again, when Jake Wahlin threw a shot from below the goal line that deflected off of the back of Birdsall's leg, extending the Storm lead to 2-0 after 40 minutes.

The Phantoms offense came to life in the third as Miller put the Phantoms on the board 5:56 into the frame, when he received a feed from forward Matt Alvaro and launched a slapshot that beat Storm goaltender Jared Rutledge, cutting the Tri-City lead in half, 2-1.

"I talked to Alvaro and he said he was going to give it to Kiefer [Sherwood], but he heard me yelling so he dished to me and I gave it everything I had and hoped for the best," said Miller. "It's not really my role to put points up, but I was able to get the guys going and it started a pretty good comeback tonight."

For the fifth time this season, the Phantoms completed a third period comeback, when forward Max Letunov took the puck off of a faceoff and sent a feed to Melnick who blasted a one-timer past Rutledge, tying the game, 2-2, and forcing overtime.

"Coach switched the lines up in the third period just to get things going, and off the draw we had a set play that didn't end up working out, but I went to the net, and Max saw me back door and gave me a great pass and I had a wide open net," said Melnick.

"The third period was a good as we've been," remarked Head Coach Anthony Noreen. "I thought our effort, our resilience, and our mental toughness that we showed late was very good, and I'm definitely proud of the guys."

After a scoreless overtime period, the teams headed to the shootout where Letunov put the Phantoms on the board with the first shot, however that was all the Phantoms were able to get at Rutledge stopped the next three Phantom attempts, while Daniel Labosky and Mason Appleton scored for the Storm, sealing the 3-2 shootout win.

"We're not going to judge ourselves based off of a shootout, but it's unfortunate that we keep finding ourselves in these positions where we play a great game and that's what it comes down to," said Noreen. "It feels like we have had the chances to get the extra point over the last few weeks, and it's just not going in."

Birdsall had a busy night in goal, stopping 30 of the 32 shots he faced. The power play was held scoreless for the second straight game, going 0-for-4 on the night. The Phantoms return home on Friday to take on Team USA's Under-18 squad, in the final home game of 2014. Faceoff is scheduled for 7:05.

Tickets are on sale for all Phantoms home games at the Covelli Centre starting at the low price of $10.75 for single game tickets. The Phantoms also offer group ticket packages, and a special McDonald's Family and Friends deal, where you will receive four tickets, four hats, and four medium extra value meals for the low price of $39.99. 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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