Omaha’s two-goal third period trumped a pair of shorthanded tallies by Youngstown’s Brett Gensler, as the Lancers topped the Phantoms 4-2 Thursday afternoon at the IBP Ice Center.
The contest, the first of the USHL Fall Classic for both sides, turned on Matt White’s even-strength marker at 5:43 of the third, which gave Omaha its second and final lead of the day. Erik Haula’s power-play drive from the right point at 11:10 provided the final margin.
Unfortunately for Youngstown, which fell to 1-2 in the preseason, Gensler’s sparkling contributions weren’t enough to trigger a victory over 2008 Clark Cup champion Omaha. The Phantoms will look to even their Fall Classic record Friday morning at 9:30 against the Des Moines Buccaneers, who beat Green Bay 4-2 Thursday at the Tyson Events Center.
The Phantoms were the only team to be shorthanded in the opening frame, but they escaped with the early lead after Gensler cashed in his second of the preseason at 7:29. With Youngstown’s Ryan Jasinsky serving a crosschecking penalty, Luke Eibler’s high clearing attempt glanced off an Omaha defensemen and popped into the neutral zone where Gensler scooped it up in full flight. He then swept a forehand around Lancers goalie Jeff Teglia for the only score of the period.
The Gensler Show continued in the second period. After Omaha’s Troy Power and Colin Markison wriggled the twine 2:29 apart early to push the Lancers ahead 2-1, Gensler netted what could hold up as the Phantoms’ goal of the season. Working 1-on-1 against defenseman Joe Lavin, the 5-foot-9 Gensler slithered the puck between Lavin’s feet twice, turning him inside out and tearing through.
With only Teglia to beat, Gensler ripped a wrister through the netminder’s legs to trigger a shocked celebration from the IBP Ice Center congregation. Oh, by the way, the Phantoms were down a man at the time, giving Gensler his remarkable second shorthanded goal of the game at 9:49 and third of exhibition play overall.
The second half of the middle stanza saw the two teams turn up the anger quotient, with Youngstown’s Adam Berkle and Omaha’s Power confronting each other at 16:37. The atmosphere then reached a new level about a minute later when the Lancers’ Nick Oddo was awarded a penalty shot, but was smartly turned away by Tibbett’s blocker hand.
Despite Omaha’s third-period surge, the Phantoms still managed to produce a few highlights of their own in the final 20 minutes. Tibbett snatched a tough deflection with his glove hand with the game still tied, and, with Youngstown trailing by two, Brian Dowd laid out the Lancers’ Dennis Brown with a perfect open-ice shoulder check, sending a roar through the rink.
Following this weekend’s festivities, the Phantoms will return home to northeast Ohio to begin preparations for the regular-season opener Saturday, Oct. 3 at the Covelli Centre in downtown Youngstown. Faceoff between the Phantoms and the defending USHL champion Indiana Ice is set for 7:15 p.m., but the Opening Night celebration starts early with a pregame tailgate party.
Rally towels will be distributed at the gate and Phantoms fans are encouraged to help Black Out the Covelli Centre by wearing black apparel to the game.
Courtesy: Youngstown Phantoms
