Phantoms win first in OT

Staff report

Des Moines, Iowa

The Youngstown Phantoms defeated the Des Moines Buccaneers, 3-2, in overtime, to open the regular season behind a three point performance by Jiri Sekac.

Both teams traded goals in the final frame on their way to an overtime period at Buccaneer Arena. The overtime period ended on a turnover by Buccaneers goalie Tyler Bruggeman, as Sekac buried the game winner.

The first period saw both teams trade opportunities in their respective offensive zones. Both Matt O’Connor for the Phantoms and Tyler Bruggeman for the Buccaneers had to make some impressive saves.

“It was good for me to see so many shots in the first period,” said O’Connor. “The shots helped me get the jitters out and allowed us to set the tone from the start of the game. My defensemen kept that shots to the outside and it really helped me build my confidence.”

The second period took on a much more physical tone, but neither team was able to capitalize.

“The first two periods we out played them,” said Phantoms coach Curtis Carr. “We stressed to the guys to continue to do what we were doing because they eventually will break. We knew if we kept pressuring their goalie he would give one up, we just had to wait for that opportunity.”