Adam Schmidt and Mitch Zion netted goals 1:29 apart in the third period, helping the Sioux City Musketeers erase a one-goal deficit en route to a 3-2 road win over the Youngstown Phantoms at Covelli Centre Saturday night.
Jefferson Dahl had put the Phantoms (17-33-3, 37 points) ahead 2-1 at 7:46 of the third, finishing the rebound of Ryan Jasinsky’s shot for his 15th of the campaign, one behind Brett Gensler, who picked up the other Youngstown goal in the second period.
Sioux City (21-23-8, 50 points) avenged the Phantoms’ shootout win Friday night with help from their potent power play, which scored four times during the two-game weekend series. During a man-advantage midway through the third, Stephan Vigier’s quick drive from the right of the Youngstown goal bounced off goalie Jordan Tibbett’s lower body and right to Schmidt for the tying tally at 10:22.
With the score tied for the second time, the Musketeers kept at work, generating a turnover behind the Phantoms’ net and converting a greasy goal for their first and only lead of the game. Matt Paape grabbed a loose puck behind the goal line and tossed it in front where Tommy Olczyk and Zion got cracks at it, with Zion finding twine with 8:09 to play.
Youngstown threw 14 shots at Sioux City netminder Jake Hildebrand in the third, many of them late, but couldn’t squeeze another past the Pittsburgh-born rookie, who stopped 28 shots for his first USHL win.
After firing 51 shots Friday night, Sioux City picked up where it left off Saturday, gunning at Tibbett from every angle in the first period en route to an 18-3 advantage in that category after 20 minutes of scoreless hockey. The Musketeers would go on to outshoot Youngstown 47-30 and are averaging 44 shots per game in the season series, which they lead 2-1.
Despite the early shot deficit, the Phantoms pushed the pace to begin the second and were rewarded with the first goal for the second straight game. With Youngstown enjoying its first power play of the night, Holstrom rifled a shot toward the Sioux City net that Gensler stopped in front. The second-year USHL forward then dealt the puck around goaltender Hildebrand with a backhand for his team-leading 16th of the season.
Sorkin, who earned his first goal as a Musketeer Friday night, continued his strong play with the equalizer later in the frame. The Maryland-native drilled a one-timer, assisted by Ford, from the right circle through traffic and past Tibbett to knot the score 1-1 heading for the third.
Courtesy: Youngstown Phantoms
