BOX SCORE
CRANBERRY TWP, PA – A pair of power play goals less than three minutes apart lifted the Youngstown Phantoms (1-1-0-0, 2 points) over the Des Moines Buccaneers 2-1 Sunday afternoon at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex as part of the 2022 USHL Fall Classic. It was the first win behind the bench for Phantoms Head Coach Ryan Ward.

"We did some good things," said Ward. "I thought we played with a little more desperation and urgency. We have to manage the puck a little bit better, but our power play came up big, our penalty kill was great. When you win the special teams battle, usually it goes your way. (Today) I thought our guys dug in and did a great job."

After a scoreless first period, the Phantoms were awarded a major powerplay with 4:04 remaining in the second period when Chase Ramsey was sent off for boarding. Youngstown cashed in just under two minutes later when Justin Varner redirected Andrew Strathmann's point shot past Max Lundgren (28 saves) to finally dent the scoreboard.

Youngstown's power play carried over to the third period, and it took just 22 seconds for the Phantoms to light the lamp again. Will Whitelaw fired home the rebound of Shane Lachane's shot for his second goal of the season, doubling the Youngstown advantage to 2-0. Des Moines converted just under a minute-thirty later when Girts Silkalns scored during a net front scramble, but that was the only puck that got behind Colin Winn (18 saves) as he recorded his first USHL victory.

"(Winn) is a competitor," said Ward. "He likes the big moments, they're not too big for him. I thought he was outstanding, made some huge saves down the stretch. He's going to keep getting better. The internal competition (with Jacob Fowler) is going to be something that drives him. We're really excited about Colin."

Youngstown next returns to action on October 13-14 for a series against the Madison Capitols at the Covelli Centre.
 
By the Numbers
Shots – 30
Saves – 18
Power Play – 2/7
Penalty Kill – 5/5
Goals – Varner, Whitelaw
Assists – Lachance, Perkins (2), Strathmann