Rare penalty shot in OT beats Phantoms

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

Rem Pitlick scored on a rare overtime penalty shot to lift the Muskegon Lumberjacks to a 2-1 victory over the Youngstown Phantoms on Wednesday at the Covelli Centre.

“In the third period we rallied and the guys showed what they are capable of,” Phantoms Head Coach John Wroblewski said. “We need that effort for a full game [tonight].”

The Phantoms (8-6-3, 19 points) will welcome Team USA’s 18-under squad to the Covelli Centre tonight. Opening faceoff is set for 7:05 p.m.

In Wednesday’s game, both teams were held scoreless for the first half on the contest until Graham Lillibridge’s first goal of the season gave Muskegon the lead with less than five minutes left in the second period.

Youngstown carried play most of the third period, and finally got on the board with less than 90 seconds left in regulation.

Cam Morrison tied the game after coming on as the extra attacker when goaltender Ryan Bednard was pulled. Morrison found the back of the net on a feed from Lukas Craggs to force overtime.

The bonus session did not last long as Pitlick was awarded a penalty shot less than a minute into extra time. Pitlick beat Bednard with a wrist shot to win the game for the Lumberjacks (8-7-0, 16 points).

A pair of Phantoms — Noah Lalonde and Ty Amonte — played their first home games.

“It was a faster game than what I am usually used to playing in,” said Amonte after his first USHL game. “Guys are a little bit bigger and stronger, but after the first few shifts I think I got comfortable with the pace.

After tonight’s game, the Phantoms’ homestand will continue with a school-day morning game on Wednesday against the Lumberjacks and games against the Des Moines Buccaneers on Dec. 3-4.