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CHICAGO " The Youngstown Phantoms (15-23-4,34pts) were unable to win their second game is a many days as the Chicago Steel (9-25-7,25pts) picked up the 3-2 victory. Jiri Sekac scored in his second consecutive game in the losing effort. Chicago netminder Connor Wilson stood on his head a number of times during the game, denying 26 of the Phantoms 28 shots on goal.
The Phantoms and the Steel each traded opportunities to start the first period and it took 13 minutes of hockey before the first goal was scored. Steel defenseman Peter Hand took a wrist shot from the point that beat Jordan Tibbett to put Chicago up 1-0. Hand capitalized on the screen in front of the Phantoms net for his first goal of the season. The Phantoms were 0 for 2 and the Steel were 0 for 1 with the man advantage after the first period, but Chicago held the one goal lead at the intermission
"I was pleasantly surprised with the how much energy we had coming into tonight"s game," said Phantoms Head Coach Curtis Carr. "We have had a long week and playing last night I knew we would be a little tired. The guys came out fired up and they really played well tonight."
The Phantoms went on an early second period power play and Phantoms defenseman Scott Mayfield took advantage on a shot from the point to tie the game at one just five minutes into the middle frame. A minute later Stu Higgins was awarded a penalty shot, the Phantoms second is as many games, but his forehand deke was denied by Chicago netminder Connor Wilson. The Phantoms would add their second power play goal of the period at the 7:26 mark as Sekac tipped in a Chris Bradley slap shot to give the Phantoms their first lead of the contest. Just over three minutes later, Steel forward Alex Kubiak took a pass from Tim Weber in the slot and found the back of the net to tie the game at two. The Phantoms would pressure the Steel late, but Wilson denied Andrew Sinelli and Danny Mattson with two big saves to send both teams into the intermission tied a two.
"We were getting a lot of chances," said Carr. "We told the guys heading into the third period that we needed to keep doing what we were doing. I thought we controlled the tempo of play and we made sure to keep our guys composed even if the puck was not crossing the line."
The Phantoms continued to pressure Wilson during the first half of the third period but he was up to the challenge not allowing the Phantoms the go ahead goal. At the 10:05 mark of the third, Kubiak was able to beat Tibbett on the blocker hand side for his second goal of the game. Late in the final frame, Ben Paulides was sent to the penalty box and the Phantoms were forced to pull Tibbett just to return to five-on-five hockey with under a minute to play. The Phantoms could find the equalizer allowing the Steel to take the 3-2 victory, their first over Youngstown this season. Wilson earned third star honors for Chicago, thanks to his exceptional game in net.
"Wilson won the game for them," said Carr. "He was by far the difference maker in tonight"s game. He stopped a penalty shot, a breakaway and a two-on-one, I don"t think I have seen a performance like his in the past two seasons."
The Phantoms return to the Covelli Centre Friday, February 18, at 7:30 p.m. for a rematch against the Steel. Unlike this past week, the Phantoms will have a full week of rest and preparation before the puck drops on Friday.
"We are going to have an off day on Monday," said Carr. "For the rest of the week we are going to look at the video and make ourselves better to keep fighting for our playoff spot."
Discounted tickets are available for groups of 15 or more people! Priority seating, video board and public address recognition and other specials are just some of the benefits! 10 Phantoms Ticket Vouchers are available for just $90! Buy 10 tickets and use them for any remaining home game this season! Call the Phantoms office today at 330.747.7825 for more information or to make a reservation today! For a complete Phantoms schedule, visit www.youngstownphantoms.com.
Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, the USHL celebrates its ninth season as the nation's only Tier I junior hockey league in 2010-11. With over 230 players this season already committed to NCAA Division I schools and 18 NHL Entry Draft picks on League rosters, the USHL is the nation's foremost producer of junior hockey talent. For more information, visit us on the web at http://www.ushl.com/.
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