Jacked ‘Jacks pounce early on Phantoms
By Tom Williams
YOUNGSTOWN
The Muskegon Lumberjacks arrived late for their Saturday showdown against the Youngstown Phantoms at the Covelli Centre, about 75 minutes before the opening faceoff.
They more than made up for lost time, scoring three times in the first period en route to a 7-4 romp before the largest Phantoms crowd of the season (approximately 2,200).
“It’s frustrating,” Phantoms head coach Anthony Noreen said after the team’s 12th loss in 13 games. “The focus this morning was getting off to a good start. Something’s got to come from within, leadership needs to step up.”
The Phantoms were without forward Josh Nenadal who served a one-game suspension after being ejected from Friday’s 4-3 loss to Waterloo.
“It was so evident how different of a team we are without Josh Nenadal in the lineup,” Noreen said. “And there is no one in that [locker] room who is more frustrated than Josh.”
A Pittsburgh Penguins tribute was the reason for the larger-than-usual turnout and featured mascot Iceburgh and members of the Ice Crew interacting with fans.
“I give our fans a ton of credit,” Noreen said. “Even when we were down 4-0, they were into it, especially when we made it 6-4 [late in the third period].”
Carson Gatt’s power-play goal with 50 seconds remaining sealed the win for the Lumberjacks (17-16-4, 38 points).
Shortly after former Penguins forward (and Anaheim Mighty Ducks captain) Troy Loney dropped the puck for the ceremonial faceoff, things went downhill for the Phantoms (8-20-5, 21 points).
For the second straight night, the Phantoms were in big trouble early, this time surrendering three goals in the opening period.
Before the game was five minutes old, Chase Hatcher (son of former NHL defenseman Derian Hatcher) and Mason Jobst knocked the puck past Phantoms goaltender Colin DeAugustine. Late in the period, Matt Iacopelli tapped a rebound into the net for a 3-0 lead.
The Lumberjacks made it 4-0 on Scott Pooley’s breakaway goal early in the second period.
Then Phantoms forward Trey Bradley scored his first USHL goal on assists from Zach Evancho and Kiefer Sherwood.
The Phantoms had the next two power-play chances, but were unable to connect. Instead, Iacopelli scored his 25th goal of the season to tie the Muskegon record.
In the third period, Luke Stork, Sherwood and Tommy Parran scored to slice the Lumberjacks’ lead to 6-4. Parran’s shorthanded goal was his third in two games.
Loney’s son Ty played for the Phantoms from 2010-2011. He plays for the University of Denver. Loney’s former teams are atop the NHL standings. “But I also played for the Islanders and Rangers, and they [aren’t doing so well],” said Loney who was on the Penguins’ Stanley Cup-winning teams in 1991 and 1992.
Phantoms captain Alfred Larsson was taken off injured reserve and played his first game in two months. He was on the ice for four shifts, Noreen said.
With eight minutes to go, Muskegon forward Trevor Morbeck was ejected after kneeing forward Tyler Spezia, who was carried off the ice.