Strong Effort from Purcell Not Enough, Phantoms Fall in Shootout
Published on February 28, 2021 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Youngstown Phantoms News Release
YOUNGSTOWN, OH - In a hard-fought defensive battle where each team only managed a single goal in 65 minutes, the Youngstown Phantoms (6-18-3-2, 17 points) were on the short end of the stick in a 2-1 shootout loss to the Muskegon Lumberjacks Saturday night at the Covelli Centre.
"You always want those two points," said Phantoms Head Coach Brad Patterson. "A good chunk of tonight, I felt like our guys deserved that. We had structure in our game and everyone contributed in different facets. It's tough to walk away with one (point)."
Youngstown opened the scoring 4:39 into the first period. Dylan Gratton and Cole Burtch broke into the Muskegon zone in a 2-on-1 rush. Burtch's shot was answered by Muskegon netminder Nate Reid (22 saves), but he couldn't control the rebound. The loose puck came right to Georgii Merkulov, and he tapped it into the empty net for his 10th goal of the season and a 1-0 Phantoms lead.
Muskegon carried play throughout the second period, outshooting Youngstown 18-5 in the frame, but couldn't get anything past Colin Purcell (37 saves). Youngstown carried their 1-0 lead into the locker room for the second intermission. "(Colin) had a great showing, it's sad we don't get two points out of that," said Patterson. "Colin would be the first one to tell you that he felt good about his game. I felt like a lot of (Muskegon's shots) were from the perimeter whereas last night we gave up some Grade A's. They obviously were putting a lot of pucks at the net, (Muskegon) had some good net front (presence) that Colin had to deal with. He was very good tonight."
The Lumberjacks finally solved Purcell at 11:54 of the third period on Quinn Hutson's seventh goal of the season, tying the game at 1-1. Muskegon got two power plays after tying the game, including one that carried over into overtime for 41 seconds, but Youngstown was able to kill all four penalties they were assessed this evening. Each side got two shots on net in the overtime, but both goaltenders were equal to the tasks, forcing a shootout to decide the winner.
Tanner Kelly opened the shootout with a goal for Muskegon in the top of the first, answered by Jack Malone in the bottom of the second for the Phantoms. After both sides failed to convert in the third round, Nick Portz snapped a wrister past Purcell from the top hashmark on the left side of the slot to give the Lumberjacks a 2-1 lead in the shootout. Will Hillman missed the net on his attempt in the bottom of the fourth round, giving Muskegon the victory.
Youngstown takes to the road for a three-in-three set in Green Bay March 5-7 before returning to the Covelli Centre for a quick two-game homestand against the Dubuque Fighting Saints March 12-13.
By the Numbers
Shots - 23
Saves - 37
Power Play - 0/1
Penalty Kill - 4/4
Goals - Merkulov
Assists - Burtch, Gratton
Box Score - https://www.ushl.com/view/#/game-summary/9484
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