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Phantoms split series with overtime win
By Greg Gulas
YOUNGSTOWN
When the Youngstown Phantoms and Sioux City Musketeers meet, goals for both teams always seem to be at a premium.
One night after the Western Conference leaders stopped the Phantoms in overtime, 2-1, the Phantoms returned the favor with a 2-1 overtime decision to earn a split in their regular season series.
Jake Gingell’s goal at 2:22 of the extra session, his first of the season, helped the Phantoms to their come- from-behind victory over the Musketeers in a USHL intra-division contest Saturday at Covelli Centre.
“I was streaking up the left side, [Evan] Wisocky gave me a pass across the ice and it just went in,” Gingell said. “Our approach was to just get shots on net and that’s how we scored tonight. I was hoping to get a rebound, but it went in so it’s a really good feeling to finally get that first goal of the season, especially when we really needed it.”
Sioux City got on the board first, taking the early goal advantage at 11:29 of the opening period when Marcel Godbout found the back of the net for his fifth tally of the season.
The Phantoms also had their chances, but came up short on three power play opportunities.
Youngstown finished 0-for-6 on the night and the Musketeers 0-for-3 when skating with the man advantage.
Sioux City (20-7-4-1, 45 points) has been tough to beat when leading after the opening frame, entering the contest undefeated in 10 frays without a setback.
The loss was their first of the year when leading after the first period of play.
The Phantoms (18-11-3-1, 40 points) on the other hand, seem to be at their best when tied after two periods of play as they moved to 5-1-1-1 overall and are now 2-3 in five extra session games.
Youngstown got on the board at 4:49 of the second period, knotting the game at a goal apiece when Tommy Apap’s shot slipped past the outstretched arm of Musketeers goalie Matiss Kivlenieks (18-5-3).
It was Apap’s second goal of the season as the Phantoms’ defense held the Western Conference leaders to just two shots on goal in the second period and 12 overall for the game.
Phantoms goalie Ivan Kulbakov improved to 14-7-3-1 with his effort.
“So many guys are willing to block shots and commit to defense in front of me, it makes me so very proud just to play behind them,” Kulbakov said. “The crowd tonight was absolutely electric. They always energize me when I am in goal.”
With Kulbakov in goal for Youngstown and Kivlenieks for Sioux City, Phantoms head coach Brad Patterson said that the fans this weekend got to witness two of the very best goaltenders in the USHL.
“Fans were treated to great goaltending each night and I won’t be shocked to see both playing in the National Hockey League someday,” Patterson said. “We’re a blue collar team that represents Youngstown, no flash or razzle-dazzle with everyone contributing. It’s someone different picking up the slack every night.”
According to Patterson, a sluggish first period was the subtle warning to his team to kick it up a notch in the second period.
“The first period wasn’t our best and a message to amp it up in the second,” Patterson said. “We played better, not only with the puck but without it as well. Both teams battled extremely hard and I’m really happy for Jake, simply because of the many little things that the does which don’t necessarily show up in the box score.”
The Phantoms improved to 7-2-1 in their last 10 games while Sioux City fell for just the second time in eight outings against the Eastern Conference, dropping to 7-4-3 now in 14 road contests.