Saad's Four Points Power Team USA Through Phantoms
January 16, 2010 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Youngstown Phantoms News Release
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - Former Mahoning Valley Phantom Brandon Saad made the most out of his return to the Covelli Centre, registering two goals and a pair of assists in Team USA's 6-1 decision over the Youngstown Phantoms Saturday night.
Nick Shore deposited a goal and two assists and John Gibson came within 32 seconds of his first shutout for the National Team (10-18-3, 23 points), who iced their Under-18 squad for the tilt. Austin Czarnik, Stephen Johns and Jason Zucker each scored in the latter half of the first period to put a 3-0 down payment on the road win.
Jefferson Dahl poked in a loose puck in the final minute to prevent the Phantoms (13-17-1, 27 points) from being shut out for the third time. Dahl now has 12 goals to lead Youngstown, which has now dropped a season-high six in a row.
Saad, from nearby Gibsonia, Pa., set up Czarnik's even-strength tally at 13:29 of the opening frame, soon followed by western Pennsylvania native Johns (16:13) and Zucker on the power play from along the goal line at 19:02 to put the Phantoms in a bind. The Under-18s have outscored Youngstown 7-0 in the first periods of their two matchups thus far.
Saad added on at 16:07 of the second, throwing a wrister from the left edge of the crease into the top-right corner of the goal against former teammate Jordan Tibbett, who made 23 saves. Shore earned the only assist on the play.
With Czarnik serving a minor tripping penalty midway through the third, the Red, White & Blue dropped the hammer on the Phantoms, scoring two shorthanded goals 19 seconds apart. Saad led a two-on-one rush before finding Shore inside the right circle for a 5-0 advantage at 9:11, then Saad himself drove the goal for a smooth backhand finish and a six-goal edge with 10:30 to go.
Gibson squandered away his potential shutout by unwisely keeping a loose puck alive in front of his net with Dahl lurking. The future University of Wisconsin Badger got just enough to nudge it into the twine for his team-leading third shorthanded tally.
Go to http://www.pointstreak.com/prostats/boxscore.html?gameid1049057 for full box score.
The Phantoms return to action Monday night at 6:30 p.m. against Team USA's Under-17 unit. But one adult ticket and get a children's ticket for free on Kids' Day! If you can't make it to the game, follow the Phantoms all season long via Youngstown's ESPN 1240 (www.wbbw.com) and the B2 Networks at www.b2tv.com.
United States Hockey League Stories from January 16, 2010
- White Guides Lancers To 4-1 Win On White-Out Night - Omaha Lancers
- Drive For Five Thwarted - Waterloo Black Hawks
- Saad's Four Points Power Team USA Through Phantoms - Youngstown Phantoms
- U.S. National U18 Team Upends Youngstown, 6-1 - U.S. National Team
- Explosive Eight Minutes - Waterloo Black Hawks
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