The numbers weren’t great heading down the stretch. 7-10-1-1 when allowing the first goal. 3-11-1-1 when trailing at the second intermission. Playing an opponent who was 16-5-3-1 when scoring the first goal and 16-2-2-1 when leading at the second intermission. Despite all of that, the Youngstown Phantoms (25-13-4-1, 55 points) found an equalizer with just under two-and-a-half minutes remaining in regulation and converted twice in the shootout to steal a 2-1 victory over the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders Friday night at the Covelli Centre. The win stretched the Phantoms winning streak to four games and their point streak to seven, both of which are the longest of the season.

“Any time you’re coming from a game like last night at the Cleveland Classic to tonight, there’s going to be an emotional letdown per se, especially when you win and feel good,” said Phantoms Head Coach Ryan Ward. “The fact that we were able to get two points out of tonight is a huge win for our team.”

Cedar Rapids dented the scoreboard first, converting off a faceoff at 9:42 of the first period. After controlling a draw in the left circle of the Youngstown defensive zone, Cedar Rapids worked the puck quickly to Colin Grable at the right point. His shot through traffic appeared to change direction and found its way behind Jacob Fowler (35 saves) for Grable’s second goal of the season and a 1-0 RoughRiders lead.

It remained a 1-0 game for the next 47+ minutes. Youngstown drew a late power play thanks to the hustle of Martin Misiak, and it was that power play that led to the tying goal. In the waning seconds of the man advantage, Shane Lachance poked the puck up to Andrew Centrella, playing in his 100th USHL game, at the left point. Centrella fired a shot that ticked off the stick of William Whitelaw at the edge of the crease and went into the net behind Sam Scopa (26 saves), tying the game at 1-1 with just 2:29 left in regulation, one second after the power play ended. “That was Will’s best game of the year,” said Ward. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen a hockey player work that hard. He was backchecking; he was tracking; he was heavy; he was hard. He’s made for those moments. Let’s be honest, Will Whitelaw is a future NHL player, and he’s an unbelievable kid.”

Overtime was fast and furious, with both sides registering multiple scoring chances. Cedar Rapids outshot Youngstown 6-3 in the bonus frame, but it was the Phantoms who had the best look of the extra period when Andon Cerbone fired one off the crossbar. Although there were many opportunities, neither team could find a game-winner, forcing a shootout. In the skills competition, Dylan Hryckowian and Whitelaw both converted in the first round. After Jack Musa and Cerbone were both stopped in the second, Fowler stoned Riley Walsh to start the third round. Misiak was the third shooter for Youngstown. Skating down the inside edge of the right circle, Misiak began a series of quick dekes as he approached the blue paint. When Scopa went down to protect the bottom of the net, Misiak made one final deke to pull the puck to his backhand and lifted a shot to the top of the net, giving Youngstown the victory.

Youngstown and Cedar Rapids conclude their weekend series Saturday night at the Covelli Centre with a 7:05 p.m. puck drop.

By the Numbers

Shots – 28

Saves – 35

Power Play – 0/5

Penalty Kill – 6/6

Goals – Misiak (SOW), Whitelaw

Assists – Centrella, Lachance

Source:  Youngstown Phantoms