Youngstown Phantoms defeat Green Bay in School Day Game
In front of a raucous crowd of more than 4,000, the Youngstown Phantoms (27-15-4-1, 59 points) downed the Green Bay Gamblers 2-1 in the annual School Day Game.
“(The crowd) was awesome,” Phantoms Head Coach Ryan Ward said. “It was a different environment. When (the Covelli Centre) is packed and Youngstown is roaring, it’s an awesome atmosphere, there’s not a better place to play in the league. We’re super thankful for all the fan support and everyone that came out today and made today a great day.”
The crowd was treated to something to cheer about early as Andrew Strathmann and Chase Pietila sandwiched a Green Bay skater on the opening shift.
Green Bay scored the first goal of the game
Still, the Gamblers quieted the crowd moments later when they tallied the opening marker.
Jayden Davis fired home a one-timer off the glove of Jacob Fowler (24 saves) on a blast from the inside edge of the right circle just 2:07 into regulation. Davis’ seventh of the season staked the Gamblers to a 1-0 lead.
Youngstown quickly tied the score
Youngstown wasted no time tying the game, as Brandon Svoboda tipped a Jake Rozzi pass through the five-hole of Kristoffer Eberly (34 saves) at 6:03, leveling the game at 1. It was Svoboda’s 12th of the season and third in the last three games.
How Kenta Isogai won the game for the Phantoms
The game stayed 1-1 through the first intermission until the final minute of the second period when Kenta Isogai scored on the breakaway with just 13.2 seconds remaining to put the Phantoms ahead. Isogai made a great move to dance around a Green Bay defender at the blue line and came in on Eberly, using a deke to open Eberly’s five-hole before sliding the shot through.
It was Isogai’s 12th of the season, extending his career high. Youngstown poured on the offense in the second period, outshooting Green Bay 20-6 in the frame.
William Whitelaw almost extended the Youngstown lead early in the third, but his shot rang off the crossbar. Isogai had a great scoring chance in the third as well but was denied by Eberly.
Fowler made an outstanding save on Matt DiMarsico late in the third to preserve the Phantoms lead. Due to intense offensive pressure from Youngstown, Green Bay could not get Eberly to the bench for the extra attacker in the final minute of regulation, preserving the victory.
With the win, Youngstown now leads Green Bay by 4 points in the Eastern Conference standings and jumps over idle-Team USA for second place with 59 points.
The Phantoms’ magic number to clinch a playoff spot dropped to 16. Youngstown and Green Bay will play twice more this week, with puck drop scheduled for 6:05pm on Thursday and 7:05pm on Friday.
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