BOX SCORE

YOUNGSTOWN, OH – The Youngstown Phantoms (7-3-0-0, 14pts) started strong, and even though things got foggy in the third period, they were able to see a 4-3 win over the Sioux Falls Stampede Friday night at the Covelli Centre.

"Proud of these guys they batted their butts off," said Phantoms Head Coach Ryan Ward. "I liked our game off the rush, we knew they were going to give us some odd-man rushes just how hard they come down the wall, I thought we executed our game plan well in the first two periods."

Youngstown got a 1-0 lead in the halfway of the first period during a powerplay. Mikey Burchill shot the puck at net from a long way and Ryan Botterill redirected it behind Michael Chambre (33 saves) at 9:32  as the puck hit the net for his fifth goal of the season. Beckett Hendrickson pulled a fast on behind Owen Bartoszkiewicz (37 saves) at 12:31 due to a 5-on-3 powerplay tying up the game, but the Phantoms made sure that didn't last long. Ryan Botterill scored his second goal of the game making it 2-1 with just 10.2 seconds left in the opening frame.

Youngstown got a two-goal lead at 6:38 in the second period when Tory Piner scored, but the two-goal lead did not last long as John McNelis crashed the party making it a one-goal game again just 19 seconds later.

Kuzma Vorinin scored just two minutes later making it 4-2 when he put home his own rebound, with Andrew Strathmann getting an assist on the play. Strathmann made history with that helper, as he is now the Youngstown Phantoms career leader for points by a defenseman.  "I love it here and it starts with the fans, and my teammates," said Strathmann.
 
During the third period things got foggy on the ice and it was hard for the players to see, which didn't stop Hayden Reid from cashing in for his first USHL goal at 10:41 to get Sioux Falls back within a gal. Luckily the Phantoms were able to see through the haze and hung on for the 4-3 win.
 
The Phantoms remains unbeaten (4-0) at home and has won their last 11 (including playoffs) at the Covelli Centre. They will take on the Sioux Falls Stampede again tomorrow night, Madison Capitols Sunday afternoon, and the Tri-City Storm November 3^rd and November 4^th as part of this five-game homestand.

By the Numbers 
Shots – 33
Saves – 37
Power Play – 1/4
Penalty Kill – 5/6
Goals – Botterill (2), Pitner, Voronin
Assists – Burchill, Clark (3), Pietila, Strathmann, Voronin, Young