USHL Youngstown Phantoms

Phantoms Win Thriller in Shootout

Published on February 27, 2015 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Youngstown Phantoms News Release


YOUNGSTOWN, OH- The Youngstown Phantoms (28-13-5) earned a 3-2 shootout win over the Fargo Force on Friday night. Forward Chase Pearson and defenseman Connor Yau scored the goals in regulation for the Phantoms, while forwards Max Letunov and Bryan Lemos converted in the shootout for the Phantoms, who extend their winning streak to nine games.

The Phantoms found themselves in unfamiliar territory early in the opening period, as just 43 seconds in, Fargo forward Jack Jenkins scored to give the Force a 1-0 lead, snapping the Phantoms' streak of consecutive minutes without trailing at 262:48. Fargo's TJ Roo received a penalty shot that was stopped by Phantoms netminder Colin DeAugustine, keeping the score 1-0 in favor of Fargo after 20 minutes.

"That was a game-changing moment for us when Colin made that stop on the penalty shot," said Phantoms Head Coach Anthony Noreen. "You never want to give up one on the first shift of the game, but I thought we did a great job of weathering the storm in the first."

The Phantoms came to life in the second, outshooting the Force in the frame, 16-4, but Fargo netminder Robby Beydoun, made a number of spectacular saves to preserve Fargo's 1-0 lead after two periods.

"We really turned the game in our favor in the second," said Noreen. "I thought we were simple and moved pucks well, and really utilized our assets that we have as a team."

Youngstown got on the board 5:47 into the third when forward Matt Alvaro found Pearson out front, and he stuffed it past Beydoun, tying the game, 1-1.

"Alvaro made a great pass coming over the blueline and I was able to make a move to the outside and just shot it on net and luckily it went in," said Pearson

The momentum was short lived, as the Force regained the lead 59 seconds later while on the power play, when forward Mason Morelli beat DeAugustine, putting Fargo back up, 2-1.

Youngstown continued to get the bulk of the chances, and 7:55 into the third, a loose puck came up to the top of the slot where Yau blasted a shot past Beydoun, pulling the Phantoms back even with Fargo, 2-2. The goal marked the first for Yau in a Phantoms uniform.

"Letunov took it towards the net and it just squirted up to me and I was able to put it in," said Yau. "It felt great to get the monkey off my back. It's been 40-plus games here and it feels great to finally put one in."

The two sides continued to exchange quality scoring opportunities, however the 2-2 score held up throughout the remainder of the third and overtime, forcing a shootout.

In the skills competition, Letunov converted in the first round, while Fargo's Denis Smirnov found the back of the net in the second round. Both goaltenders then turned aside the next six shots each, and in the eighth round, Lemos fired one past Beydoun, sending the Phantoms to a 3-2 shootout win, and their ninth-straight win.

The Phantoms outshot Fargo, 41-21 on the night, while the power play went 0-for-7. The two sides wrap up their weekend series on Saturday night at 7:05.

Tickets are on sale for all Phantoms home games at the Covelli Centre starting at the low price of $10.75 for single game tickets. The Phantoms also offer group ticket packages, and a special McDonald's Family and Friends deal, where you will receive four tickets, four hats, and four medium extra value meals for the low price of $39.99. 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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United States Hockey League Stories from February 27, 2015


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