Sunday, March 31, 2019
33 penalties called in 8-1 loss to Team USA
Staff report
PLYMOUTH, MICH.
The Youngstown Phantoms celebrated a milestone in Saturday’s game, but it was neither of the ones they most wanted.
Brett Murray’s first-period goal — his 38th of the season — broke the franchise record for most goals in a season set by Sam Anas in the 2012-13 season.
Murray’s goal was the only highlight for Youngstown in an 8-1 loss to Team USA’s 18-younger squad at USA Hockey Arena.
The Phantoms have 299 franchise wins and head coach Brad Patterson has 99.
Today at 5 p.m., the same Team USA squad will play the Phantoms at Covelli Centre. It will be the final USHL game of the season for the 18-younger squad as the 17-younger unit will complete the regular season and compete in the Clark Cup Playoffs.
Murray’s goal was unassisted and gave the Phantoms a 1-0 lead about five minutes into the game. Things quickly went downhill.
After Marshall Warren tied the game, Cam York’s power-play goal put the Nationals ahead. Team USA scored three goals in each of the second and third periods.
The final period turned ugly, with 24 penalties assessed (13 against the Phantoms) and the game ending in a brawl.
Forwards Tristan Amonte and Josh DeLuca and goaltender Christian Stoever were ejected as were Team USA’s Judd Caulfield, Michael Gildon and Cameron Rowe.
In all, 33 penalties were called for 159 minutes (all but 18 minutes in the final period).
In the race for second place in the USHL’s Eastern Conference, the Phantoms (32-20-1-4, 69 points) did not lose ground as second-place Chicago (72 points) and third-place Cedar Rapids (71) both lost Saturday games.
However, Team USA (30-18-2-6, 68 points) has moved up to within one point of the Phantoms.
Youngstown’s remaining games include a home-and-home series with Team USA’s 17-younger team on April 12-13.