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Phantoms skid grows to 3
By STEVE WILAJ
YOUNGSTOWN
Behind a third straight loss for the Youngstown Phantoms —the latest a 3-1 defeat to the U.S. National Team Development Program on Friday at the Covelli Centre— came some good news.
For one, Youngstown (8-7-3) now get some much needed rest until Wednesday when they host the Muskegon Lumberjacks.
“I think, honestly, we have to get the best rest possible,” Phantoms head coach John Wroblewski said of today’s rare Saturday off. “We just have to get some rest, come refocused on Monday and re-charged.”
The other piece of good news is that Phantoms defenseman Matt Miller, an East Palestine native, announced on his Twitter account prior to the contest that he will continue his playing career next fall at Ohio State University.
He plans to join the program in the summer.
“It’s just a big accomplishment,” said Miller, 20, whose brother JT Miller has played for the New York Rangers since 2011. “I’ve been working at this for three years in this league, alone.
“I think the hard work and support of my family and friends really helped me pull this off.”
Miller joined the Phantoms for two games as an affiliate player at the end of the 2012-13 season. He then fully joined Youngstown last year, while he now serves as an assistant captain this season.
Miller began talking to the Buckeyes about a month ago after they scouted a couple games.
OSU then recently offered a scholarship to Miller — who left East Palestine schools for Pittsburgh schools following the seventh grade — which he quickly accepted.
“I went back and called my parents and they loved the idea,” Miller said. “I love the idea. I think it’s a great place to play and I’m excited to get there.”
For the season, Miller has one goal, three assists and four points.
“Whatever’s necessary for the team, he’ll go out and do it,” Wroblewski said. “I think Matt’s biggest asset —besides his presence in the room— is his ability to keep plays alive offensively. He doesn’t end up with a lot of points, but he gets so much momentum going in the right direction. He’ll be an asset for Ohio State.”
As for Friday’s contest, USA scored the decisive goal early in the third period.
On assists by Clayton Keller and JD Greenway, Kieffer Bellows broke a 1-1 tie when he found the back of the net. Team USA also got on the board at the 13:43 mark of the first when Will Lockwood scored on an assist from Keeghan Howdeshell.
The Phantoms answered to tie the contest in the second period on Luke McInnis’ second goal of the season. He scored on an assist from Garrett Hall.
“I thought we were poised for a little bit better result tonight,” Wroblewski said. “The power play was extremely frustrating and it didn’t add to the momentum of the game for us.
“That was pivotal — and obviously they scored at the very tail end of our last one, so that’s kind of the story.”