MUSKEGON, Michigan – The Phantoms entered Friday night’s game brimming with confidence after a strong performance last Saturday in a tough Omaha environment, but thanks in part to two goals from captain Mason Jobst, the Lumberjacks emerged victorious at the L.C. Walker Arena in the opening game of a two-game series between the sides.

 

Phantoms coach Anthony Noreen entrusted the net to goaltender Colin DeAugustine after his fine performance in the victory over the Lancers last weekend.

 

“We just felt like [DeAugustine] deserved it,” said Noreen. “We told [the two goalies] before the weekend that Colin would go tonight and Sean would go tomorrow. Obviously, if Colin had come out tonight and posted a shutout, or had a big-time game, I think these guys know, given the way it’s going right now, that we’re going to give it to the guy if they deserve another one.”

 

DeAugustine had won three consecutive starts in net, but that streak was snapped thanks to a complete Muskegon effort, resulting in a 5-1 victory for the home team.

 

The last time the Phantoms came to the L.C. Walker Arena, the Lumberjacks scored four times in the first en route to a resounding win. Tonight, Muskegon again jumped out to a strong start, scoring twice in the opening frame. Adam Larkin and USHL-leading goal-getter Matt Iacopelli did the honors, pushing the Jacks to a 2-0 lead after one.

 

Just last Friday, Youngstown was able to come out after the first intermission and score two quick goals to slice into a 3-0 first period deficit, but tonight, Muskegon lifted their advantage further after the first 20. Mason Jobst made it a 3-0 game in the second, and Noreen attributed the Phantoms’ lack of a comeback push to his team simply not finishing chances.

 

“We very easily could have made that a 2-1, 3-1 game at a few points,” said Noreen. “Maybe the shots didn’t indicate it, but if you look at the chances that we had, we had multiple two-on-ones, and we had chances right down at the goalmouth. Their goalie did a good job; they did a good job of blocking shots.”

 

Through two periods of play, the shots on goal count read Lumberjacks 31, Phantoms 11.

 

“We didn’t bury any, and it seemed like two or three times, they countered off of us having a good shift in the offensive zone and not capitalizing,” continued Noreen. “They came back and were able to score the other way.”

 

In the third, Muskegon got their lead to four through Jobst’s second goal of the game, and then to five through Connor Wood. Conor Lemirande scored a consolation goal for the Phantoms, but it was not enough, and the Jacks closed out the game with a 5-1 victory.

 

“They have some big, strong guys, and they do a really good job of just protecting the middle of the ice and playing very simple,” said Noreen. “Not unlike last week, if you’re going to score, you’re going to have to get to the pay the price. You’re going to have to get to the ugly areas, probably going to have to take a stick, or a body, or whatever it might be. We need to do a better job tomorrow night of doing that.”

 

Noreen also stressed the importance of a better start.

 

“When we have good starts, like we did last weekend, you see what it results in. The other thing is, it’s 2-0 going into the second-we had a good start, we had a couple of chances, we hit the crossbar, we miss a two-on-one when it’s four-on-four, and again, you don’t get those chances back. You have to make them count. They had their one breakaway, and they scored. We need to take advantage of our chances when we get them.”

 

Despite the defeat, the Phantoms’ record has still been very strong as of late-the team is now 5-3-1 over their last eight games, and Noreen stated that this was the only bad hockey game he believed his team has played since their last visit to this arena, on February 14.

 

“We’ve been very good every single game [since the last meeting with Muskegon]-win, lose, overtime loss, whatever it was, we’ve been very good in every game,” said the Phantoms’ coach. “For whatever reason, tonight was not our night… They won the areas you need to win to win a hockey game. They won the netfront, and that was the difference.”

 

Shots – 20

Saves – 34

Power Play – 0/6

Penalty Kill – 4/4

Goals – Lemirande (6)

Assists – Larsson (5), Nenadal (5)

 

Youngstown will complete their two-game set with a rematch against Muskegon tomorrow night at the L.C. Walker Arena.

 

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).

 

Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, the USHL celebrates its 12th season as the nation’s only Tier I junior hockey league in 2013-14.  A record 32 players were chosen in the 2013 NHL Draft and more than 300 players on team rosters last season committed to NCAA Division I schools, further establishing the USHL as the world’s foremost producer of junior hockey talent.  For more information, visit us on the web at www.USHL.com or visit the League’s social media platforms, including Facebook (/ushlhockey), twitter (@USHL), and YouTube (/ushlinteractive).  Fans can also watch USHL action all season long, live or on-demand via FASTHockey (ushl.fasthockey.com).