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Phantoms clinch Anderson Cup with OT loss
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The Youngstown Phantoms fell in overtime, 5-4, in Wednesday’s game against the Steel in Chicago, but picked up a crucial point that gave them a share of the USHL’s Anderson Cup, which is presented to the team with the best regular-season record.
Staff report
BENSENVILLE, ILL.
The Youngstown Phantoms may have lost to the Chicago Steel on Wednesday, but they won something much bigger.
The Phantoms fell 5-4 in a shootout, picking up a crucial point that gave them a share of the United States Hockey League’s Anderson Cup, presented to the team with the best regular-season record.
“It’s a testament to just how consistent we’ve been and how hard we have worked all year,” said forward Ryan Lomberg, who scored a goal. “That said, our goal is the Clark Cup. It’s been the goal since day one, and we’re excited to go out and try and accomplish that.”
Forwards Matt Alvaro, Max Letunov, and Kiefer Sherwood also scored for the Phantoms, who fell behind, 3-0, after the opening period, on goals from Chicago’s Brendon Kearney, Tanner Laczynski, and Fredrik Olofsson.
The Phantoms made it 3-1 early in the second when forward Josh Nenadal took a shot that ricocheted off of Steel goaltender Lassi Yrjola right to Alvaro, who slammed home the rebound.
The Steel made it 4-1 later in the period when forward Mason Bergh scored on the power play.
In the third period, the Phantoms’ offense came to life. With Youngstown on the power play, forward Kyle Connor sent a pass through the slot to Letunov who blasted a one-timer past Yrjola at the 4:03 mark.
Roughly 13 minutes later, the Phantoms pulled to within one when defenseman Connor McDonald launched a shot from the point that was tipped into the net by Lomberg.
“We knew if we kept to our systems and stayed composed and confident, the chances would come,” said Lomberg. “We all trusted each other and trusted the coaches and their game plan, and it ultimately paid off for us.”
With just 5.8 seconds left and the goalie pulled, Sherwood got the puck at the blue line and ripped a slapshot past Yrjola to force overtime.
“I thought we did a good job in the second and third period of trying to claw back at their lead,” said Sherwood. “We just wanted to stick to our game and keep things simple, and we took that same mindset into overtime, as well.”
After a scoreless overtime period, the two sides headed to the shootout, and in the skills competition, Chicago’s Zach Osburn scored the lone goal.
“It wasn’t the start or overall effort that we wanted, but I’m proud of the guys for their push at the end,” said Phantoms coach Anthony Noreen. “That really says a lot about our group that they were able to battle back and put us in a position to earn a share of the Anderson Cup. Two goals in the last two minutes definitely isn’t easy to do, especially against a talented team like that, but credit our guys for continuing to push, and that really says a lot about our character.
“While the Anderson Cup may not be the end goal for this team, it’s still another piece of this team’s legacy that will live on forever.”
The Phantoms outshot the Steel, 45-41, while the power play converted on one of five opportunities.
The Phantoms will play at 7 p.m. Friday night in Ann Arbor against Team USA’s Under-17 program.