43
Phantoms keep streak alive in shootout
YOUNGSTOWN
Connor Yau hadn’t scored a goal in his 44 career games with the Youngstown Phantoms. The team hadn’t won more than eight consecutive games in franchise history.
So it was only fitting that Yau score a game-tying goal in the third period on Friday to allow the Phantoms a chance to extend their winning streak to nine — which they did in the eighth round of a shootout, 3-2, over the Fargo Force.
“It felt great to finally get the monkey off my back,” Yau said. “It just feels great to finally be able to put one in.”
Yau’s goal with 12:05 remaining in the third tied the game at two. The Phantoms (28-13-5, 61 points) had to come from behind twice, allowing a goal in the opening minute of the game and then another less than a minute after they tied it in the third.
“We’ve had some ups and downs here over the course of this run,” said Phantoms coach Anthony Noreen. “I think you just kind of add this one to the list.”
It’s a list that now includes nine consecutive victories dating back to Feb. 2. It was the Phantoms’ third win at the Covelli Centre during the streak, but each has had one common denominator.
“Both goalies have been very solid for us,” Noreen said of netminders Colin DeAugustine and Chris Birdsall.
“Colin was tremendous tonight, made some huge saves, and we’re still undecided on who we’ll go with tomorrow because we know we’ve got two capable guys who are ready.”
DeAugustine stopped 19 of 21 shots and seven of eight in the prolonged shootout. Maxim Letunov scored in the opening round for the Phantoms, but Noreen had to look down his bench to find the eventual hero, Bryan Lemos.
“The way we’ve been playing lately I wasn’t too worried,” DeAugustine said. “I just had to stand my ground and make some saves.”
Jack Jenkins put an abrupt end to the Phantoms’ streak of 262-plus minutes without trailing by scoring 43 seconds into the game. Then it was up to DeAugustine to keep his team in it early.
“You never like giving up an early one, but it was nice to make a few big saves after it to get your confidence back,” he said.
Chase Pearson scored his ninth goal of the season on assists from Matt Alvaro and Josh Nenadal to tie the game at one in the third. A penalty by Yau led to a power-play goal for the Force (19-20-6, 44 points) to regain the lead.
Then the Phantoms defenseman avenged his mistake.
“Connor’s a tremendous offensive defenseman,” Noreen said. “He’s had one coming. It’s about time and I hope it leads to a couple more for him, because it was big in a game like this.”
Yau also happens to be roommates with DeAugustine, who admitted to giving his teammate a hard time about not yet scoring.
“I’ve been getting an earful from him,” Yau joked. “I guess he can’t say anything anymore.”
When asked how long they can keep this streak going, Yau replied, “It’s not ending.”
That will be put to the test tonight, as the Phantoms can stretch their win streak to double digits in another game against the Force.
Puck drops at 7:05.