BOX SCORE

YOUNGSTOWN, OH – The Youngstown Phantoms (10-3-1-0, 21 points), got a two-goal performance from Ryan Botterill, a first-time goal from Connor de Haro, and 21 saves from Colin Winn Saturday night at the Covelli Centre as part of a 5-4 come-from-behind overtime win against the Tri-City Storm.

"Super happy we were able to get that win tonight," said Phantoms Head Coach Ryan Ward. "The guys certainly never quit. There's something special going on with this team."

This was the first time in four games that the first shot of the contest was not a goal, but the Phantoms would go on the board first at 7:17 in the first period as Conner de Haro scored on Ivan Zhigalov (30 saves) getting his first USHL goal in the process, with assists from Charlie Cerrato and Finn McLaughlin.  Youngstown's lead would not last long, however, as Jake Rozzi of Tri-City would score a goal on the power play to tie the game at 9:39 of the first period.

The Storm scored two power-play goals in the second period. Artemi Nizameyev cashed in at 3:31. With Grant Young in the box for a goalie interference call at 10:14, Trevor Connelly beat Winn with a one-timer at 11:30 to make the score 3-1 in favor of Tri-City. The Phantoms cut the two-goal lead back to one just three minutes later as Kuzma Voronin scored at 14:44.

Tri-City scored the first goal in the third period as well, with AJ Lacroix scoring his first goal in the USHL at 8:29. Charlie Kinsman was sent to the box for hooking at 16:42, cracking the door open for a Youngstown comeback. With a two-man advantage thanks to the extra attacker, Tory Pitner capitalized on the power play opportunity, cutting the lead to one with 1:26 left. With time winding down in the period, Ryan Botterill tied the game with just 57 seconds remaining in regulation, batting the rebound of Braiden Clark's shot out of mid-air and behind Zhigalov after Clark hit the crossbar and sending the game to overtime.

With time winding down in overtime, Cerrato stole the puck at his own blue line and raced up ice. As he was preparing to shoot, the puck rolled on Cerrato, removing his scoring chance. Staying with the play, however, he fed Botterill, who was crashing down the slot, and Botterill fired it home for the game winner with just 13.7 left before the shootout.

Youngstown wrapped up their five-game homestead with a 4-0-1 record and will head to the road for the next four games, stopping in Dubuque and Chicago before returning to the Covelli Centre for a Black Friday games against the U17s.

By the Numbers
Shots – 35
Saves – 21
Power Play – 1/6
Penalty Kill – 4/7
Goals – Botterill (2), de Haro, Pitner, Voronin
Assists – Cerrato (2). Clark(2), McLaughlin, Pietila, Voronin