USHL Muskegon Lumberjacks

Phantoms stop Jacks on Bouchard Night

Published on February 10, 2012 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release


MUSKEGON, Mich. - While the Muskegon Lumberjacks and their fans honored the career of a pro hockey legend, the Youngstown Phantoms did most of the celebrating during Friday night's game, winning 5-2 at L.C. Walker Arena.

The No. 32 of all-time leading minor-league goal scorer Robin Bouchard was raised to the arena rafters during an emotional first-intermission ceremony. Born in Quebec but now a resident of Muskegon, Bouchard scored a record 687 goals during a 16-year professional career, 13 of which were spent with the Fury/Lumberjacks.

But by the time the red carpet rolled out for Bouchard, the Phantoms (24-13-3, 51 points) had already put a down payment on their third straight win, all on the road. Youngstown scored the game's first five goals, including three in the first.

The Lumberjacks (11-20-4, 26 points) pushed back with two goals in the third from Jordan Masters and Ryan Lomberg, but the early hill proved a little too high to climb. Lomberg also added an assist, giving him 21 points on the season and tying him with team leader Jon Padulo in that category.

The Eastern Conference rivals played the most contentious game in the season series, which Youngstown now leads 4-3-0. The two sides combined for 10 major penalties, including eight issued for fighting, two game misconducts and 102 total penalty minutes.

Phantoms goalie Matt O'Connor earned his USHL-leading 21st win, saving 21. Rookie netminder Hayden Stewart got his second straight start for Muskegon, but was replaced by John Keeney after allowing three goals on eight shots.

Muskegon will head to Indiana to face the second-place Ice Saturday night; the Jacks lead the season series 2-1-1, including a 5-4 victory in Indianapolis Nov. 12. Youngstown has Saturday off before hosting the Jacks in the teams' final meeting of the regular season Sunday afternoon.

The Phantoms had all the jump early on Friday, as they grabbed a 3-0 lead in the first 10:17 of the game. Sam Anas deked his way to the slot during an early Youngstown power play and ripped a wrister inside the right post 3:45 after the opening faceoff.

Anas kept up the pace less than three minutes later when he and Austin Cangelosi connected on a give-and-go play, with Cangelosi finishing at the right post for his team-leading 20th of the season.

The Lumberjacks earned their first power play but the dangerous Phantoms penalty kill got the better of them when Dylan Margonari scored Youngstown's league-leading 12th shorthanded goal. Margonari banked his 11th of the season off Stewart's leg from a sharp angle at 10:17.

Keeney took Stewart's place after the surprising goal. In his first relief appearance of the season, Keeney stopped 18 of 20 the rest of the way. The veteran goalie has now played in 16 of the Lumberjacks' last 19 games.

J.T. Stenglein raised the Phantoms' lead to four at 4:16 of the second. Alex Gacek sent Stenglein into the offensive zone with a quick pass, and the New York native deked to his forehand and beat Keeney from the slot at even strength.

Stenglein's goal, his 20th, tied for the team lead briefly, but Cangelosi jumped back ahead in the final minute of the third. The Boston College commit stole a clearing pass from Keeney and stashed Youngstown's second power play goal of the night under the Jacks goalie.

Persistence paid off for Muskegon in the third, as Masters jammed the rebound of Lomberg's shot between O'Connor and the left post at 9:15, keeping the Lumberjacks from being shut out for the second time in three games.

Lomberg then made it a two-point night with a rebound goal on the power play. Ryan Bullock hammered a slap shot from the blue line that O'Connor stopped, but he couldn't control the carom and Lomberg lifted it over the fallen Phantoms netminder.

The Lumberjacks will be on the road the next two days, starting with a game at Indiana Saturday night at 7:05 p.m. The Meijer Pregame Show begins at 6:35 on 92.5 The Outlaw with Voice of the Jacks Matt Gajtka on the call.

Saturday night is also the Red Wings Alumni Game at L.C. Walker Arena, with a team of Muskegon legends, including Bouchard, taking on a group of former NHLers led by Kris Draper, Darren McCarty, Mickey Redmond and Joe Kocur.

Tickets for the Alumni Game are only $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under! Call the L.C. Walker Arena box office at 231.724.JACK(5225) for tickets and information, or visit startickets.com or go to your local Meijer.

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United States Hockey League Stories from February 10, 2012


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