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Kolias’ buzzer-beater lifts Phantoms to sweep
Youngstown ends five-game homestand with three straight victories
By Greg Gulas
YOUNGSTOWN
Vas Kolias’ goal with 1.2 seconds remaining helped lift the Youngstown Phantoms to a 3-2 win over the Western Conference’s Des Moines Buccaneers for a weekend sweep.
“I was simply the benefactor of an unbelievable play by Matt Alvaro,” Kolias said after Saturday’s game at the Covelli Centre. ”The puck was lodged up in the side boards, ‘Alvy’ dug it out and then lugged it toward the net.
“I looked up at the clock and it said that there were five seconds remaining, so I slid back door,” the Phantoms’ second-year defenseman said after his team’s third-straight victory. “I think they lost me and I was then able to tap it home.
“I cannot tell you what an unbelievable feeling it was to score with time winding down and so much on the line,” Kolias said.
After scoring just three goals in the three games prior to their win streak, the 14 goals scored by the Phantoms (11-7-3, 25 points) the last three games mark the third time this season that the Phantoms have scored that many goals during a three-game stretch.
John Wroblewski, Phantoms head coach, said the team is clicking offensively.
“It was a collaborative effort tonight offensively as everyone got into the game,” Wroblewski said. “For me, I don’t get caught up in the game too much as it’s the time for the players to do their thing. The game is stressful enough.”
The Phantoms will hit the road this week for three games in four days.
“This is a huge upcoming three-game trip for us and we must be ready because Chicago, a team that we haven’t fared too well against, is waiting for us first,” Wroblewski said. “And then there are two games against a tough Sioux City team.”
The Phantoms continued their assault of the Buccaneers in the opening period, striking first at 8:35 when Chase Pearson’s shot snuck past Des Moines goalie Jan Ruzicka for the early goal advantage.
It was Pearson’s fourth goal of the season.
Pearson, a draft pick of the Detroit red Wings, then scored his second goal at 13:08, cashing in on the power play. It was a two-man advantage after Des Moines’ Georgy Gorodetsky was called for slashing and Nikita Pavylchev for kneeing.
It was Pearson’s third goal and fourth point of the weekend.
“It was a scrum in front on the first goal,” Pearson said. “The puck popped out, I threw it at the net and it went in.
“On the second goal, I got a great pass from Kris Myllari. I fired it low on the short side and it went in.
“To win like we did tonight gives you one great adrenaline rush,” Pearson said. “Good teams find a way to win and tonight we were a good team.”
Des Moines cut into the Youngstown lead in the second period when Justin Howell, assisted by both Alec Rauhauser and David Keefer, snuck his shot past Phantoms goalie Ryan Bednard at 8:31.
The Bucaneers’ Rauhauser found an open Kenny Hausinger at 3:36 of the third period for a 2-2 tie.
Kolias prevented overtime by burying his second goal of the year and first game-winner.