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USHL Youngstown Phantoms

Third Period Blitz Sees Steel Edge Phantoms in Final Road Game

April 2, 2014 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Youngstown Phantoms News Release


BENSENVILLE, Illnois - With the Chicago's season on the brink, the Phantoms knew that they would see the best the Steel had to offer on Wednesday night at the Edge Ice Arena. For the majority of the game, Youngstown gave Chicago the best they had to offer as well, but unfortunately for the visitors, a third period surge lifted the Steel over the Phantoms in thrilling fashion.

Danny Fetzer scored shorthanded to tie the game at the 1:59 mark of the third period, and John Schilling's power play goal at 10:53 held up as the winner, with Fetzer adding two empty netters late to complete his hat trick and seal the victory.

"We knew we were going to get [their best] all night," commented Phantoms coach Anthony Noreen. "Again, we outshoot them, I didn't think there was any doubt that we outchanced them, and, for the most part, we carried the play. We just didn't find a way to win the game, and that's kind of been the story a lot lately in these tight games. Other than the score, there's not really much that we don't like about the way we played."

Indeed, Youngstown outshot Chicago by a 35-24 margin, including a 24-14 count through 40 minutes, but would only beat Steel goaltender Cale Morris twice in that span.

Special teams were excellent for the Phantoms through the first two periods, as they went 2/3 on the power play and 4/4 on the penalty kill to open the game. Kiefer Sherwood scored the first power play tally, the only goal of the first period for either side. After John Ernsting leveled it in the second following a fluky bounce off of a Phantom defender in front, Alfred Larsson's man advantage goal put the Phantoms back in front by one heading into the second intermission.

"Our power play was excellent, especially our first unit with Kyle," said Noreen. "Every time they were out there, they had good chances. Even the shorthanded goal we gave up, we generated, with Max's unit, a grade "˜A' chance. Overall, that was as good as our power play has been in a while."

In the third period, however, with the Phantoms attempting to score a third power play goal, Fetzer struck on the forecheck, swiping the puck away from Youngstown behind their net and scoring.

"Yeah, [it stung]," said Noreen on the goal. "You look at all the goals: on their first goal, we put it in our own net. The second goal was a shorthanded goal within 20 seconds of us having a chance to put us up 3-1, and put a game close to out of reach. It comes down the other way, we make a mistake, they make us pay, and that's the story of the game."

With Chicago seizing the momentum, Schilling's power play goal put the Steel ahead for good midway through the third, but Noreen remained optimistic about his team's performance.

"I thought Colin [DeAugustine] was good, I thought our forward lines generated a ton of offense. We had a ton of chances. Again, we run into a good goaltender, and it's frustrating, because once again, you want something good to happen to these guys, because they're sticking together and they're doing the things we ask. Hopefully, that will happen in the last two."

The Phantoms will now head back to the Mahoning Valley for the their final two games of 2013-14.

"The biggest thing [I'll tell them] is to enjoy each other's company," said Noreen, when asked what his message would be ahead of the last weekend series. "We talked about it a little bit last week that this is probably our reality-Saturday night might be the last time all of us will ever be together, and most likely will be. That's just the reality of hockey at this level when the season ends. I want them to enjoy it, and have fun.

"It's a tight-knit group of guys that have gone through a lot together, but at the same point, play the right way. You want to go out the right way, you want to go out playing the right way, and you want to go out victorious. I think this team deserves that. The only thing we have to do is put the work in to make sure that we get it."

By the Numbers

Shots - 35

Saves - 19

Power Play - 2/4

Penalty Kill - 4/5

Goals - Sherwood (13), Larsson (3)

Assists - Melnick (19), Larsson (11), Connor (42), Sherwood (18)

Next on the Slate

The Phantoms will play their final two games of 2013-14 at the Covelli Centre on Friday and Saturday night. Dubuque comes to town for the first contest, and Sioux City will cap off Youngstown's year on Saturday. Both games will start at 7:05 pm.

Single game tickets are on sale now for all Phantoms' home games at the Covelli Centre. Phantoms 10-Game Flex Plans are also available starting at the low price of just $89. 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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