Tough Bounce Costs Phantoms against Thunder

February 26, 2016 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Youngstown Phantoms News Release

YOUNGSTOWN, OH- The Youngstown Phantoms fell to the Bloomington Thunder by a final score of 2-1 Friday night at the Covelli Centre. The Phantoms were 0-7 on the power play, including a pair of five on three opportunities.

"Words don't describe how disappointed I am, especially with the guys who were out there during the five on threes. Now we're in a position where we have to salvage a split this weekend," said Phantoms Head Coach John Wroblewski.

Bloomington drew first blood, when Captain Jake Slaker deflected a shot past Phantoms netminder Ryan Bednard in the final minutes of the first period. The power play tally was Slaker's 12th goal of the season.

The teams would play the next 30 minutes scoreless thanks to some great saves by both goaltenders. Youngstown finally broke through just over three minutes into the final frame, when Matt Miller blasted a shot over the blocker of Hayden Lavigne for his 6th tally of the year.

Both teams played back and forth hockey for the next 10-plus minutes, each having excellent scoring chances denied by big saves.

The Thunder would eventually pull ahead once again after a tough break for the Phantoms. After a poor neutral zone turnover, Jake Durflinger took a wrist shot that deflected off of Bednard's glove and into the net.

Youngstown pulled Bednard in the final minutes and had a couple of quality scoring chances, but Lavigne was strong to every challenge.

"We beat ourselves tonight. We preach accountability every day, and tonight our power play wasn't accountable," said Phantoms Captain Matt Alvaro.

With the win, Bloomington is now three points ahead of Youngstown for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

The two teams will meet again Saturday night in Youngstown. It will be the Phantoms annual Crowd the Covelli night to benefit Akron Children's Hospital of the Mahoning Valley.

United States Hockey League Stories from February 26, 2016

• Fighting Saints Blank Gamblers - Dubuque Fighting Saints
• Roughriders Blank Steel Friday Night - Chicago Steel
• Gamblers Fall on Road - Green Bay Gamblers
• Musketeers Fall 6-1 in Waterloo - Sioux City Musketeers
• Stampede's Rally Comes up Short in Des Moines - Sioux Falls Stampede
• Storm Ties for First in Conference, Shuts Down Caps, 3-0 - Tri-City Storm
• Musketeers Help Raise $66,398 for Boys & Girls Home & Family Services - Sioux City Musketeers
• Hawks Win Wire-To-Wire - Waterloo Black Hawks
• Muskegon Shocks Omaha Late, Wins in OT 3-2 - Omaha Lancers
• Kielly & Storm Rain on Capitols' Point Streak - Madison Capitols
• Stars Fall in Fargo, 8-5 - Lincoln Stars
• Special Teams Huge in Thunder Win - Bloomington Thunder
• Lumberjacks Rally from Two Goal Deficit for Comeback Win - Muskegon Lumberjacks
• Tough Bounce Costs Phantoms against Thunder - Youngstown Phantoms
• Caps Journey to Kearney for 1st Time to Face Storm - Madison Capitols
• Thunder Take Trip to Youngstown - Bloomington Thunder
• Stars Travel for Weekend Series against Fargo - Lincoln Stars
• Watch Party Tonight vs Waterloo - Sioux City Musketeers

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.

Other Recent Youngstown Phantoms Stories

• Coleson Hanrahan Wins 2025 Curt Hammer Award
• Phantoms Sign Logan Anderson to Tender Agreement
• Special Teams Play Dooms Phantoms in 6-2 Game 2 Loss
• Phantoms Can't Overcome Early Deficit in 5-3 Game 1 Loss
• Phantoms Clinch First Place with Dominant 6-1 Win Over Team USA