Gamblers roll to victory over Phantoms

March 12, 2017 at 12:00a.m.

By codie talley

YOUNGSTOWN

Phantoms

Bad blood between the Youngstown Phantoms and Green Bay Gamblers boiled over from Friday’s contest into Saturday’s game.

Green Bay won the rematch, 2-1, at the Covelli Centre after falling 3-1 the night before. The Gamblers’ win puts them five points behind the Phantoms in the race for the final Eastern Conference playoff spot.

John Leonard scored the winning goal on a breakaway in the third period.

A Marshall Moise goal 13:28 into the second period was the only offense the Phantoms mustered.

Missing the game were Phantoms forward Eric Esposito and the Gamblers’ Brody Stevens who were suspended after a secondary fight in Friday’s contest.

In the rematch, Phantoms forward Alex Esposito was ejected in the first period after throwing a punch. Things remained chippy throughout the night.

Phantoms coach Brad Patterson thought the Friday game “was more physical. I know there were a few fights but as far as body contact, last night was much more physical.”

The game featured 12 penalties, including six in the first period. Patterson attributed the amount of power-play minutes to less physicality.

“Tonight with so many penalties, it was tough,” Patterson said. “But when two teams play back-to-back with a lot on the line, it’s gonna breed that sort of stuff.”

With nine regular season games to go, the Phantoms (29-17-4-1, 63 points) missed a golden opportunity to put the Gamblers ((27-21-2-2, 58) in their rear-view mirror.

The Gamblers struck first on a goal by Rory Herrman in the first period. Six players spent time in the penalty box in the period.

Green Bay’s Josh Kosack appeared to have tripped Phantoms goalie Ivan Kulbakov, sending the crowd into a frenzy. But Kulbakov was called for interference.

“I didn’t get a great look on it, I’ll have to see it on film,” Patterson said.

After the horn sounded to end the period, players had to be separated after a scrum in the closing seconds.

The second period began much like the first, with plenty of hard hitting.

Moise tied the game midway through the second period on an assist from Tommy Apap. It was Moise’s fourth goal of the season.

The Phantoms had several more scoring opportunities but could not find the net.

“They did a good job at clamping down in the D zone,” Patterson said. “We didn’t get a ton of grade A looks.”

The Phantoms had the power play for six minutes in the third period.

“We need to be better in that area,” Patterson said. “That’s something we put a lot of work into this week.”

The Phantoms outshot the Gamblers 13-7.