USHL Youngstown Phantoms

Phantoms Use Six Goal Third Period to Cruise to Victory

April 11, 2015 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Youngstown Phantoms News Release


Youngstown Phantoms vs. Team USA Under 17
Youngstown Phantoms vs. Team USA Under 17
(Youngstown Phantoms)

YOUNGSTOWN, OH- The Youngstown Phantoms (40-14-6) capped off the 2014-15 regular season with a 7-1 win over Team USA's Under 17 program. Forward Kyle Connor registered a pair of goals, while forwards Lukas Craggs, Max Letunov, James Winkler, Justin Cmunt, and Taylor Best each potted one for the Phantoms, who close out the regular season by winning 21 of their final 23 games.

After a scoreless opening period, Youngstown drew first blood midway through the second while on the power play. Best came down the right wing over the Team USA blue line and sent a pass out front to Craggs who stuffed it past Team USA netminder Corbin Kaczperski, putting the Phantoms up, 1-0, 10:17 into the frame.

Team USA managed to tie the game late in the frame when Patrick Khodorenko scored for the second consecutive night, tying the game, 1-1, after two periods.

"I thought we were just okay in the first and second periods," said Head Coach Anthony Noreen. "Obviously we didn't give up much in those two periods, but our message between the second and third was about finishing the game the right way. We had a full house and a lot of energy in the building, and we wanted to go out on a good note."

The Phantoms heeded Noreen's words and came alive in the third period, as just 14 seconds in, Connor took a pass from forward Tyler Sheehy and finished off a 2-on-1 rush to put the Phantoms up, 2-1.

Youngstown extended their lead a couple of minutes later when a shot from forward Kiefer Sherwood ricocheted off of Kaczpersky right to Letunov who jammed it in, extending the Phantoms' lead to 3-1.

The Phantoms' offense continued their forward motion at the 4:16 mark of the frame while on the power play, when Winkler took a pass from Craggs behind the net and scored on a wrap-around, lifting the Phantoms to a 4-1 lead.

With the Phantoms firing on all cylinders, they pushed their lead to 5-1 midway through the frame when defenseman Matt Miller came down the right wing and sent a pass to Cmunt who blasted a one-timer past Kaczperski for his first USHL goal, 8:43 into the third.

"It was great to get my first tonight. I was just trying to keep things simple and play my game, and it worked out for me," said Cmunt. "It was a good couple of days here with the guys, and I felt I was ready these games. The guys were pretty supportive and I just went out and played my game and luckily it worked out."

"We're all extremely happy for him," said Noreen. "Considering the fact that we had a full house tonight and his parents were in the building, it was probably the highlight of the night for our guys on the bench."

The Phantoms' power play struck again late in the frame while on a 5-on-3 advantage, when Connor took a pass from Letunov and fired a seeing-eye shot past Kczpersky from the left point, extending Youngstown's lead to 5-1, 16:06 into the frame.

"It was a whole team effort here tonight," said Connor, who wrapped up the USHL League scoring title tonight. "We wanted to come back strong after the first two periods and respond in a big way, and I think we did a really good job of doing that."

Youngstown capped off their monstrous third period roughly a minute and a half later while still on the power play, when Best took a cross-ice feed from forward Kole Sherwood and slammed it in from the right faceoff circle while falling, sealing the big 7-1 win for the Phantoms.

"I saw Kole coming down the wing and it looked like he was going to shoot it, but I thought I had a better lane so I just yelled his name and he gave it to me and I was able to finish," said Best.

The Phantoms outshot Team USA, 35-17 on the night, with netminder Colin DeAugustine stopping 14 to collect the win. The power play had a stellar night, converting on four of their six chances.

Next up, the Phantoms travel to Muskegon to take on the Lumberjacks in Game 1 of the 2015 USHL Clark Cup Playoffs on Wednesday night. Faceoff is slated for 7:15pm.

The Phantoms are marching towards their first Clark Cup Championship in team history, and you are invited along for the ride. Tickets are on sale now for home games one, two, and three of the first round of the 2015 Clark Cup Playoffs. Home games one and two will be Friday and Saturday, April 17th and 18th, while home game number three (if necessary) will be Wednesday, April 22nd. Prices remain unchanged from the regular season, and start at the low price of $10.75. 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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Youngstown Phantoms vs. Team USA Under 17
Youngstown Phantoms vs. Team USA Under 17
 Youngstown Phantoms vs. Team USA Under 17
Youngstown Phantoms vs. Team USA Under 17
  



United States Hockey League Stories from April 11, 2015


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