Phantoms win, snap 4-game streak

Luke Eibler’s third-period goal was the game-winning tally.

By GREG GULAS

VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT

YOUNGSTOWN — Winless since Nov. 14 and 0-1-1 on their current five-game homestand, the Youngstown Phantoms were hoping to end their four-game winless streak on Friday against the Chicago Steel.

Luke Eibler’s goal with 3:05 remaining proved to be the game winner as the Phantoms defeated the Steel, 6-4, in United States Hockey League action at the Covelli Centre.

“Coach [Bob Mainhardt] told me not to pinch, I did anyway and the puck hit me in the shin; bounced over to Taylor Holstrom who got it back to me and I was lucky enough to put it in the net,” Eibler said.

“The first 20 minutes we missed some scoring opportunities but the last 40 minutes we really played well,” Eibler said. “We seemed to click on all cylinders so it really feels good to be able to contribute in some small way to our victory tonight.

It didn’t take the Steel very long to get on the scoreboard as Mark Anthoine, with an assist from both Sahir Gill and Patrick Raley, notched his league-best 15th goal just 70 seconds into the contest.

The score remained that way after the first 20 minutes of play with the Phantoms needing just 58 seconds into the second stanza to knot the score when Adam Berkle’s wrist shot (his fifth goal of the campaign) slipped past the outstretched glove of Chicago goalie Nick Pissellini.

Youngstown (9-8-2, 20 points) took its first lead at 2:55 of the period on David Donnellan’s second netter of the year. Chicago’s Jake Chelios (youngest son of former NHL star Chris Chelios) knotted the score at 2-all when his slapshot found the back of the net 32 seconds later.

For Chelios, it was his fifth goal of the year.

Gill’s power-play goal at 15:32 helped Chicago (10-8-3, 23 points) regain the goal advantage.

The Phantoms’ Ryan Jasinsky tied the game with a power-play goal.

The goal, Jasinsky’s fourth of the season, capped a three-goal barrage by the Phantoms as the crowd was treated to five shots overall that registered in the session.

Gill’s second goal of the game at 1:24 of the final period, just five seconds into their 10th power-play opportunity, helped the Steel regain the lead for the third time at 4-3.

Scott Mayfield notched his fourth goal of the season at 14:19, a shorthanded opportunity, for a 4-4 tie. It was the Phantoms’ fifth shorthanded goal of the year.

Jefferson Dahl added an empty net tally with 46 seconds remaining to secure the win.

“This was the best 60 minutes that we put together all season,” Mainhardt said. “We stuck to our game plan and played with a lot of confidence all game.

“Even though we scored just one power-play goal, we did a much better job when faced with the man advantage,” Mainhardt said.

“There’s a reason that Chicago is one of the better teams in league and they’ll be ready for us tomorrow night.” Mainhardt said. “We just have to be prepared to play in much the same manner that we did tonight.”

Youngstown held a 29-28 shot advantage as Jordan Tibbett picked up his fifth win in eight tries when in goal for the Phantoms.

The Phantoms and Steel play tonight at 7:15 at the Covelli Centre.