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USHL Youngstown Phantoms

Phantoms Season Comes to a Close After Valiant Game 4 Effort

April 20, 2015 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Youngstown Phantoms News Release


MUSKEGON, MI- The Youngstown Phantoms fell to the Muskegon Lumberjacks, 4-2, on Monday night, in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, ending the team's season. Forwards Kiefer Sherwood and Taylor Best scored the goals for the Phantoms, who close out the best season in team history.

As has been the case throughout these playoffs, the Phantoms wasted little time getting on the board, as just 1:35 in, forward Max Letunov dropped a pass to Sherwood on an odd man rush, and Sherwood fired it off the post and in to give the Phantoms a 1-0 lead.

The Lumberjacks tied things up roughly 10 minutes later when defenseman Christian Wolanin wristed a shot past Phantoms netminder Chris Birdsall, evening the game up, 1-1.

The 1-1 score held up throughout the remainder of the opening period, and in the second, the Lumberjacks took the lead back when Wolanin netted his second of the game at the 11:52 mark, putting Muskegon up, 2-1.

Youngstown answered right back a few minutes later, when forward Josh Nenadal sent a feed to Best who was coming up on a 2-on-1 rush and tipped it past Muskegon goaltender Eric Schierhorn, tying the game back up, 2-2, 13:15 into the frame.

Muskegon took the lead right back about two minutes later when defenseman Corey Schueneman hammered one past Birdsall, putting the Lumberjacks up, 3-2, after 40 minutes.

The Phantoms came out firing in the third period, getting quality scoring chance after quality scoring chance, however they were not able to find the back of the net. With Birdsall pulled late in the third, Lumberjacks forward Griffen Molino netted the game-winning empty netter with six seconds left, sealing the win for Muskegon.

"I thought we did everything possible to come away with three wins in the series, but unfortunately things didn't go our way," said Nenadal. "I couldn't be more proud of these guys right now. They are my brothers and I can't even begin to explain how proud I am and how honored I am to be a part of this organization. It's been an absolute honor and privilege."

The Phantoms were outshot, 43-28 on the night, while the power play went scoreless on all three opportunities.

"What this group has been able to accomplish, and their ability to push each other and to make an entire town and organization believe and turn this team around took a lot of trust, and it took a lot of blood, sweat and tears," said Phantoms Head Coach Anthony Noreen. "This organization, from players, to staff, to front office, to ownership is as special of a group that I've been a part of, and a season like this doesn't happen by chance. It happens because of the people around you."

Noreen continued: "The legacy this group leaves behind is special. It might not have been the championship that we wanted, but we set a goal to bring a championship and a trophy back to Youngstown, and we did that. The 17-game winning streak is something that may still be going when these guys are coaches and playing in the NHL, and those things don't happen by chance."

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