Phantoms Score Three in Third to Earn 4-3 Comeback Win Monday
Published on April 29, 2013 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Dubuque Fighting Saints News Release
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio-Facing elimination and down to 20 minutes left in their season, the Youngstown Phantoms dominated the Dubuque Fighting Saints in the third period, scoring three goals to overcome a two goal deficit and earn a 4-3 win Monday night. With the victory the Phantoms kept the series alive and forced a Game 4 Tuesday night at the Covelli Center. Youngstown fired 23 shots on goal in the game's final period and with the win, now trail the Fighting Saints 2-1 in the best-of-five series.
Up 3-1 going into the third period, the Fighting Saints saw its lead erased in a matter of a 30 second span. On the powerplay early in the frame, Youngstown's John Padulo struck for his fourth goal of the playoffs on a mad scramble. Dubuque goalie Arthur Brey made a fantastic save sliding across the crease on a one-timer, but the rebound popped out in the crease and Padulo knocked it past a fallen Brey at 3:34. On the next shift the Phantoms would put its fourth line onto the ice and veteran Markus McCrea would reap the benefits, tying the game on a great feed from Alfred Larsson at 4:01. Larsson backhanded the puck from behind the net out front to McCrea who was wide open in the low slot and fired a shot past Brey to make it 2-2.
The Phantoms continued to pepper the Dubuque net, outshooting the Fighting Saints 23-6 in the final period. With Joe Manno in the penalty box, Youngstown would get the game-winning goal on the powerplay. Sam Anas got the puck at the right point and walked the puck towards the goal and blasted a slot that found its way through a crowd of players and past Brey at 16:23 to give the Phantoms the lead at 4-3. Padulo was credited with his second goal of the game on a deflection in front.
Dubuque had fantastic chance moments later on a great passing play that was sent to Evan Janssen on the near side of the ice via Joe Manno. Janssen fired a shot that appeared to be destined for the back of the net until Youngstown goalie Sean Romeo sprawled out and knocked it aside with his blocker.
Dubuque played a strong game early and used the final half of the first period to jump out to a 2-0 lead. The Fighting Saints got goals from Evan Janssen and Peter Quenneville on a pair of two-on-ones. Janssen's goal came first at 12:21. Jarrid Privitera rushed the puck down the right wing into the Phantoms zone. Privitera cut to the backhand and dished a pass to Janssen on the backdoor and the forward one-timed a shot past an outstretched Sean Romeo for his second goal of the playoffs to make it 1-0.
Dubuque doubled its lead less than two minutes later on a similar play. Youngstown appeared to have a chance to break up ice, but a pokecheck at the blueline kept the puck in. Mike Szmatula took the puck low to the slot, cut to the left wing and fired a pass over to the right where Peter Quenneville was parked and the sniper made no mistake, scoring his fifth goal of the postseason to make it 2-0 at 14:01.
After Austin Cangelosi scored a late powerplay goal in first period to cut the lead to one, Dubuque got the only goal of the second period. Szmatula scored his third goal of the playoffs on a wrap-around at 5:22. Szmatula cut the puck from behind the goal and beat Romeo to the far post for the goal to make it 3-1.
The Fighting Saints were without the services of forwards John Stevens and Peter Quenneville for much of the second half of the game. Both players were not on the bench and did not return from unspecified injuries.
With the victory, Youngstown handed the Fighting Saints its first loss of the playoffs. The Phantoms outshot Dubuque 41-24 and scored three powerplay goals.
Game 4 is tomorrow night at 6:15 p.m. Central Time at the Covelli Centre. With a win, the Fighting Saints advance to the Clark Cup Final, which starts May 10. A Youngstown win tomorrow night would send the series back to Dubuque for a decisive Game 5 on Saturday, May 4 at 7:05. Tickets are on sale for that game, and all possible Clark Cup Final games by calling 563.583.6880 or online at DubuqueFightingSaints.com.
United States Hockey League Stories from April 29, 2013
- Phantoms Score Three in Third to Earn 4-3 Comeback Win Monday - Dubuque Fighting Saints
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- Read Added to Team Canada - Des Moines Buccaneers
- Stampede Return Home for Games 3 & 4 of Western Conference Finals - Sioux Falls Stampede
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