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USHL Youngstown Phantoms

'Snakebit' Phantoms Drop 4-2 Contest to Team USA

October 27, 2013 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Youngstown Phantoms News Release


ANN ARBOR, Mich. - Luck was not on the Youngstown Phantoms' side Sunday afternoon in Ann Arbor. Despite nine power plays and numerous breakaways, they could not overcome a sloppy first period and fell 4-2 to Team USA Under-17 squad.

The Phantoms (4-7-1, 9 points) got goals from Josh Melnick and JJ Piccinich, as well as a solid outing from Sean Romeo, who made 26 saves on 29 shots. His USA counterpart Michael Lackey put on an impressive performance turning away 25 of 27 shots, and including all 10 thrown his way in the third period - and got some help from goal posts.

"He was the difference. There's no doubt about it," head coach Anthony Noreen said. "We had three breakaways in the third period and three or four odd-man rushes and we put pucks on net with every one of them. But he stopped them and the couple we did get past him hit the post.

"It's a tough one to swallow."

The Phantoms entered the third period trailing Team USA (9-5-1, 19 points) 3-2 but had a countless chances to even things up. Kyle Connor used his blazing speed to create three breakaways but was denied twice by Lackey and once by the crossbar. He finished the night with a game-high six shots - five coming in the final period.

Piccinich put a short-handed shot off the right post just past the five-minute mark of the third and Truman Reed rang a one-timer off the crossbar during a power play later in the period as the Phantoms, who scored on their first man-advantage, were unable to convert on any of their subsequent eight attempts.

"If Kyle [Connor] gets that many grade-A chances every night, I like our chances to win and I like his chances to score," Noreen said. "For some reason it just wouldn't go today. That's just kind of the way things are going for us right now."

Youngstown opened the scoring on a power play less than three minutes into the opening period. Connor dished a pass to Melnick at the point and he fired a low-lying laser that beat U.S. Lackey through a screen.

Jeremy Bracco tied it up at the 8:09 mark when beat Romeo on the backdoor and Luke Kirwin put Team USA in the lead less than three minutes later. The Phantoms were unable to clear a loose puck out of the defensive zone and Kirwin picked it up and put it past Romeo to give the National Team a 2-1 lead heading into the intermission.

Piccinich knotted it up just 3:32 into the middle frame after a turnover deep in the U.S. zone. Tyler Spezia fed Piccinich behind the net and the Boston University recruit walked out and roofed it for his ninth goal of the season, moving one behind Sioux Falls' Zeb Knutson for the USHL lead.

However, USA re-took the lead midway through the period when Luke Kunin snuck past the Phantoms' defenders and beat Romeo on a breakaway. Brendan Warren added an empty-net goal with less than two minutes remaining in the third to seal Youngstown's fate.

"It's not like the puck wasn't on the stick of the guys that we wanted," Noreen said. "We're just a little bit snakebit right now."

Phantoms by the Numbers

Shots - 27

Saves - 26

Power Play - 1-for-9

Penalty Kill - 7-for-7

Goals - Melnick (2), Piccinich (9)

Assists - Connor (10), Maxim Letunov (8), Spezia (4)

Next on the Slate

The Phantoms will look to get back on the winning track when they open a five-game homestand Friday vs. the Sioux Falls Stampede. Puck drop is set for 7:05 p.m. EST at the Covelli Centre.

Season tickets for the 2013-14 season are on sale now starting at the low price of just $8 a game. Benefits include invitations to exclusive season ticket holder events, discounts at the Phantoms Team Shop and much more. 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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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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