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Phantoms fall 4-1 in final game
By Greg Gulas
YOUNGSTOWN
The Cedar Rapids RoughRiders scored three times in the second period in defeating the Youngstown Phantoms, 4-1, on Saturday at the Covelli Centre.
After the USHL regular-season finale, Phantoms coach Curtis Carr was pleased that his team finished strong over the final 10 games, posting a 4-4-2 mark.
“I’d give us a B grade overall during that time because there is definitely room for improvement,” Carr said. “There is light at the end of the tunnel for the group of players that we expect to return for they will now be a seasoned group.
“My top priority is to hit the road Tuesday morning and head to the Midget Nationals in Chicago, then a bunch of combines as we prepare for the upcoming May 19 Draft,” Carr said.
“This is an exciting time for everyone because of the way we ended the season,” Carr said. “We must now do our homework and add the other pieces to the puzzle for next season.”
After a scoreless opening period, the Roughriders took a 1-0 lead when Michael Parks rifled a shot past the outstretched glove of Phantoms goalie Jordan Tibbett.
Cedar Rapids made it 2-0 when Stu Wilson nailed his second goal in as many nights.
Fourteen seconds later, Mac Bennett’s wristshot found the back of the Youngstown net for a 3-0 lead.
Late in the second period, Ty Loney beat Roughriders goalie Troy Grosenick for the Phantoms goal.
Bryce Analoski’s empty net goal with 10 seconds remaining ended the scoring.
By winning three of their final five contests, the Phantoms ended the season with a 20-36-4 record. Their 44 points put them in seventh place in the East Division. The top four teams in each division qualify for the postseason.
Cedar Rapids improved to 38-19-3, 79 points. They were 19-10-1 on the road and have the second seed for the East Division playoffs.
Despite their last-place East Division finish, fans agreed that the Phantoms’ play over the final 13 games of the season keeps them cautiously optimistic.
Annie Fedorchak, a Hubbard native, was excited with the league’s physicality.
“The USHL is a faster-paced league with better skating and much more of a physical presence,” Fedorchak said. “This year was a trying year for the Phantoms but the program in my estimation is headed in the right direction.
“Quite frankly, I cannot wait for next season to begin,” she said.
Boardman’s Kerry Paulin is a billet father who hosted forward Jefferson Dahl.
“Overall it’s been a very successful year,” Paulin said. “It is tough being an expansion team and even tougher to assemble a winner right out of he box.
“This is a team that has persevered, however, and never quit despite the many obstacles that they have had to overcome,” Paulin said.