Winkler Sparks Power Play as Phantoms Earn Big Win
Published on February 6, 2015 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Youngstown Phantoms News Release
MUSKKEGON, MI - The Youngstown Phantoms (20-13-5) upended the Muskegon Lumberjacks, 3-2, on Friday night. Forward James Winkler scored a pair of power play goals, while forward Kyle Connor netted the game-winner in the second period for the Phantoms, who snapped their two-game losing skid.
The Phantoms drew first blood 9:29 into the opening period while on the power play, when defenseman Connor Yau sent a pass to Winkler who blasted a slapshot from the left-wing faceoff circle off the crossbar and in past Lumberjacks goaltender Eric Schierhorn, putting the Phantoms up, 1-0.
That 1-0 Phantoms lead held up throughout the remainder of the opening period, and in the second, the power play struck again when a scrum in front of the net resulted in Winkler depositing his second of the night, pushing Youngstown's lead to 2-0, 1:56 into the second period.
"We practiced crashing the net and making it tough for the goalie all week in practice, and it was good to see it pay off tonight," said Winkler. "It was my first time on the power play this year and it was really great to get a regular rep, and I think I made the best of it."
The Lumberjacks got on the scoreboard just 57 seconds later when forward Robbie DeMontis beat Phantoms goaltender Colin DeAugustine, cutting the Phantoms' lead to 2-1.
The Phantoms had a number of scoring chances throughout the remainder of the period, and with under a minute left, forward Ryan Lomberg sent a cross-ice feed to Connor who ripped it by Schierhorn, extending Youngstown's lead to 3-1, after 40 minutes.
The Lumberjacks made things interesting in the third when forward Max Humitz scored midway through the frame to cut the Phantoms' lead to 3-2, however that was all the offense Muskegon could muster, as the Phantoms held on for a 3-2 win.
"We talked about needing to get to the net and score ugly goals and make it hard for their goalie, and I think we made it an extremely hard night for him," remarked Phantoms Head Coach Anthony Noreen. "We also talked about special teams needing to get better, and we get two power play goals and our penalty kill shuts them down, so I think those were the biggest differences in the game tonight."
DeAugustine stopped 33 of the 35 shots he faced to collect the win, while the power play converted on two of their six chances.
"We were either going to put ourselves in a situation where we could possibly catch this team, or it was probably going to be put out of reach, and it was huge for us to come away with the win," said Noreen.
The Phantoms continue their three game road trip on Saturday night in Madison against the Capitols. Faceoff is scheduled for 8:00pm ET.
Tickets are on sale for all Phantoms home games at the Covelli Centre starting at the low price of $10.75 for single game tickets. The Phantoms also offer group ticket packages, and a special McDonald's Family and Friends deal, where you will receive four tickets, four hats, and four medium extra value meals for the low price of $39.99. 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 "ËLike' them on Facebook (www.Facebook.com/YoungstownPhantoms).
Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, the USHL celebrates its 13th season as the nation's only Tier I junior hockey league in 2014-15. A record 35 players were chosen in the 2014 NHL Draft and more than 300 players on team rosters last season have committed to NCAA Division I schools, further establishing the USHL as the world's foremost producer of junior hockey talent.
United States Hockey League Stories from February 6, 2015
- Winkler Sparks Power Play as Phantoms Earn Big Win - Youngstown Phantoms
- Storm Extend Streak to 9 with 3-1 Win in Lincoln - Tri-City Storm
- Nehama Stops 41 Shots to Earn Dubuque 2-1 Win at Cedar Rapids - Dubuque Fighting Saints
- Thunder Sink Buccaneers in Physical Affair - Bloomington Thunder
- Lancers Score Late; Fall in Green Bay 5-4 - Omaha Lancers
- Stampede Roll over Chicago 4-1 at the PREMIER Center - Sioux Falls Stampede
- Demontis and Humitz Tally Markers as Lumberjacks Drop Narrow Home Decision - Muskegon Lumberjacks
- Hawks Roll Past Caps - Waterloo Black Hawks
- Capitols Can't Solve Morris & Waterloo - Madison Capitols
- Shellman Traded to Michigan Warriors - Bloomington Thunder
- U.S. National Under-18 Team Falls to Russia, 5-4, in Overtime at Five Nations Tournament - U.S. National Team
- Thunder Open Weekend in Des Moines - Bloomington Thunder
- U.S. National Under-17 Team Earns Second Place at Five Nations Tournament - U.S. National Team
- Capitols Open 3-In-3 Home Weekend with Waterloo - Madison Capitols
- Stampede Acquire Forward Bradley from Youngstown - Sioux Falls Stampede
- Phantoms Trade Bradley to Sioux Falls - Youngstown Phantoms
- Hawks Acquire Mason Anderson from Madison Capitols - Waterloo Black Hawks
- Capitols Acquire MacTavish from Waterloo - Madison Capitols
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