Phantoms Top Madison 2-1
March 30, 2024 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Youngstown Phantoms News Release
Youngstown Phantoms' Nathan Lewis and Ryan Botterill on game night
(Youngstown Phantoms)
Youngstown, OH - The Youngstown Phantoms (29-19-5-4, 67pts) avenged their Friday night loss with a 2-1 "sixty-minute" win over the Madison Capitols Saturday Night at the Covelli Centre. Phantoms Head Coach Ryan Ward was pleased with how his team bounced back, and is glad it came right before the Clark Cup Playoffs.
"I thought we did a much better job closing that game out. We are such a better team when we play with passion and emotion," Ward said. "Even last night we had a good effort, you just have to go through that and learn how to close out games, especially with playoffs coming here in a couple weeks."
Nathan Lewis got the Phantoms on the scoreboard early, after Charlie Cerrato found him in the slot and he fired a one-timer past Patriks Berzins at 4:40. One of the USHL's leading goal-scorers, Austin Burnevik, answered right back for the Capitols tying the game at one a little over seven minutes in. That score stood until the end of the frame, sending the contest into the intermission tied 1-1.
A lot of the same from Friday night's game in Youngstown, as the score from the end of the first stayed put going into the second intermission. The Phantoms had a great chance at extending their lead at 3:13, as the puck was loose in the crease trickling towards the goal line, but Sam Rice dove to knock it away at the last second. The Phantoms tallied 15 shots in the period while the visitors only mustered 10.
As the third period wound towards its halfway point, the two teams were still deadlocked, so Youngstown turned to its hottest player. Ryan Botterill put the Phantoms back in front and stretched his scoring streak to nine games at 9:34, when he one-touched a beautiful pass from Lewis to the back of the net. Botterill's goal finished as the game winning goal, giving the Phantoms the 2-1 victory, and a couple of much-needed points in the standings.
"I saw the puck going down the wall, and I saw Louie (Lewis) with a guy going to him so I just sat at the net and he made a really nice play to me," Botterill said.
Wright had another dominant outing, stopping 27 of the 28 Capitol shots. Berzins denied 36 of 38 on the other end, but ended up taking the loss.
"Aiden has been good. Look, it's not easy coming up from the North American League and being thrust into a starting goalie role in the USHL. We are proud of him; our job is to get guys where they want to be." Ward said.
The Phantoms host the Green Bay Gamblers for a three-in-three weekend series, starting on Thursday, April 4th. Puck drop is slated for 6:05 on Thursday, with Friday and Saturday facing off at 7:05.
By the Numbers
Shots - 38
Saves - 27
Power Play - 0/2
Penalty Kill - 3/3
Goals - Botterill, Lewis
Assists - Cerrato (2), Lewis
Images from this story
 Youngstown Phantoms' Nathan Lewis and Ryan Botterill on game night |
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United States Hockey League Stories from March 30, 2024
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