USA Squeaks Past Phantoms with Strong Start and Finish
January 18, 2016 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Youngstown Phantoms News Release
YOUNGSTOWN, OH - The USA NTDP U-18 team defeated the Phantoms Monday afternoon by a final score of 4-2. After falling behind 2-0 in the first period, Youngstown was able to tie the contest with just over ten minutes remaining, before USA would score the eventual game-winner a few minutes later.
"We battled hard all game. Good teams find a way to fight through adversity, which is what we did. We didn't get the result we wanted, but there are a lot of positives we can take out of this game," said Phantoms Assistant Captain Chase Pearson.
USA opened the game's scoring, recording a pair of goals in the first frame. Keenan Suthers scored his first USHL goal of the season on a wrist shot that beat Phantoms goaltender Ryan Bednard over his shoulder. About nine minutes later, Kieffer Bellows would double the American's lead, when his wrist shot snuck underneath Bednard's arm.
Youngstown would battle back, beginning in the second period. Griffin Luce was ejected for a head-shot on Phantoms defenseman Vas Kolias. On the ensuing 5-minute major, Chase Pearson beat USA goaltender Joseph Woll to get Youngstown on the board. USA would take a 2-1 lead into the second intermission.
Pearson wasn't done on the day, as he forced a turnover behind the USA net and found Cam Morrison open on the side of the cage. Morrison slammed home his team leading 20th goal of the season to tie the contest at two.
Both teams had a few good scoring chances, with each goalie making some good saves to keep the game deadlocked. Then, with 3:50 left in regulation, USA finally broke through, when J.D. Greenway scored an unassisted goal to give the Americans the lead. USA would add an empty net goal to win 4-2.
"This is a monster weekend coming up, and we have to be at the top of our game. I think right now we are playing good hockey. I didn't like our first period tonight, but sometimes that's going to happen with the early start and tough travel," Phantoms Head Coach John Wroblewski said.
Youngstown will be back on the road Friday and Saturday against the Bloomington Thunder. Puck drop is set for 8 p.m. eastern time.
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