Phantoms overcome blown lead, battle back for big win

December 20, 2014 at 12:05a.m.

YOUNGSTOWN

On Pittsburgh Penguins night, the Youngstown Phantoms staged a tribute to the 1991 Stanley Cup champions when goals and fisticuffs dominated NHL ice.

Before 3,329 fans at the Covelli Centre, the Roaring Early ‘90s were back as the Phantoms and Team USA’s 18-under team combined for a dozen goals in the Phantoms’ 8-4 win.

There also were two simultaneous fights that resulted in three game ejections and two 10-minute misconduct penalties.

The irony? Team USA is not supposed to fight in USHL games. What a game for former Penguins like enforcer Jay Caufield and the Stanley Cup to be in the house.

The Phantoms finished the game scoring four unanswered goals after surrendering a 4-0 lead.

“We haven’t always responded well,” Phantoms head coach Anthony Noreen said of blown leads. “Love our heart, love our effort. It’s very important sometimes that you win without your A game.”

Taylor Best, Kiefer Sherwood, Ryan Lomberg and Josh Melnick scored in the first 17 minutes and it appeared the Phantoms would romp.

But 37 seconds after Melnick scored, Christian Fischer scored the first of his two goals. In the second period, Team USA needed just seven minutes to score three more for a 4-4 tie.

Fireworks eventually ignited. First, Max Letunov scored on a terrific feed from Sherwood to put the Phantoms ahead, 5-4. Sherwood set up the goal by skating hard to the net and going around the back, then sending the puck to Letunov in front.

“It’s not a set thing — Kiefer likes to go behind the net,” Letunov said. “I was ready for it.”

As played resumed, Team USA’s Matthew Tkachuk speared Phantoms captain Josh Nenadal, sparking an old-time hockey brawl. Matt Miller jumped to Nenedal’s defense, trying to get to Tkachuk through Casey Fitzgerald.

“That’s just not acceptable,” Miller said of the spear that earned Tkachuk a five-minute major penalty and game misconduct. “I was getting hit from a couple of different angles.

“Kid asked me to go and I said yes. It threw me off-guard.”

As Miller and Fitzgerald fought, Phantoms defenseman Tommy Parran squared off with Nick Boka. They were ejected for a secondary fight.

Team USA took another penalty during the five-minute major. Before the second one expired, Best scored his second goal on assists from Trey Bradley and Kris Myllari for a 6-4 lead.

Best finished with four points, as did Bradley with four assists.

Bryan Lemos scored twice in the third period to seal the victory.

“It’s huge, especially going into the [team’s Christmas] break,” said Miller, who admitted the team was frustrated to see the 4-0 lead evaporate.

“Definitely, but I think the guys handled it great.”

Following the game, the team went back on the ice to pose for a picture with the Stanley Cup.

“To win the game and then bring [the Cup] on the ice was an unbelievable feeling,” Letunov said.

Noreen said it wasn’t his squad’s best game, but he’s pleased with the result.

“Don’t like the four-goal lead disappearing, but the fact that we bounced back and put up eight against a very good team is extremely positive,” he said.