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Short-handed Phantoms fall in shootout
Lumberjacks’ goaltender cuts down Youngstown
Youngstown
Playing short-handed Saturday night due to suspensions and injuries, the Youngstown Phantoms put together a gritty performance that rewarded them with a point in the standings.
Head coach Anthony Noreen said his team’s 3-2 shootout loss to the Muskegon Lumberjacks is a result they can build on, but one they shouldn’t be satisfied with.
The Phantoms took three of four points from their conference rival in a home-and-home series over the weekend.
“We wanted the four [points] and to be honest with you I felt like this group probably deserved better,” Noreen said after Saturday’s loss.
“It’s something that should make us hungrier.”
The biggest obstacle that prevented the Phantoms (10-6-3, 23 points) from earning both points Saturday night at the Covelli Centre was between the pipes for Muskegon.
Goaltender Michael Latorella, who’s just 16 years old, stopped 40 shots in the game and three of five in the shoot out to give the Lumberjacks (14-6-1, 29) a much-needed bounceback win after Friday night’s 8-0 loss at home.
“I thought their goaltender probably stole it,” Noreen said. “Credit to him — a young kid — and he was tremendous.”
Latorella made saves in a variety of ways, but his best work came in the overtime session. He also stoned Youngstown’s franchise-leader in goals, Kyle Connor, with the game on the line in the shootout.
“I came down and was waiting to see what the goalie gave me,” Connor said of his shootout attempt.
“He just made a good save on me.”
A Griffen Molino score at the other end gave the Lumberjacks the advantage. Latorella’s glove save on Trey Bradley gave them the win.
“We’re not going to judge ourselves on a shootout,” Noreen said. “That’s a toss up one way or another.
“I thought we were the better hockey team tonight. I’m extremely proud of our effort, especially given the guys who were out of our lineup tonight.
Leading goal-scorer Ryan Lomberg, the Phantoms’ best plus-minus player, Tommy Parran, and forward Taylor Best were all suspended by the USHL for Saturday’s game because of actions in Friday night’s game.
Add injured captain Josh Nenadal to the scratch list and the Phantoms were without a lot of production on the ice.
The team’s point-leaders, Connor and Max Letunov, filled the void as best they could, each scoring goals.
“I thought we were putting pucks on him, but the goalie played well today,” Connor said.
The Phantoms also followed up a 4-for-7 performance on the power play Friday, with a 0-for-7 night.
“I thought our power play did a good job overall of sustaining pressure and getting chances,” Noreen said. “It was just a matter of we didn’t put the puck in the net.”