Neither the Youngstown Phantoms or Lincoln Stars won or lost a game via the shootout this season.  Something had to give as the two teams were deadlocked at four goals apiece at the end of overtime.  John McCarron scored Lincoln’s second goal of the shootout and the Phantoms could only muster one goal in their five chances.  The result was a 5-4 shootout loss for Youngstown in a game that saw Lincoln tie things up with just 12 seconds left in regulation.

The Stars hit the scoreboard at the 5:55 mark of the first quarter when Brodie Reid scored shorthanded. For the Stars, it was their second shorthanded goal of the year. Reid connected from just inside the face off circle to the right of goaltender Matt Mahalak.

The first period came to an end with the Stars holding a 1-0 lead. The Phantoms played what may have been their sloppiest period of the season marred with turnovers and lackluster passing. They were hitting, and that is great, but hitting doesn’t register digits on the scoreboard.

That would all change as the Phantoms took just 37 seconds of the second period to find the net. Luke Eibler (pictured) connected on an even-strength shot that deflected in off the post to beat Stars net minder Jared Coreau. The tally tied the game at a goal apiece.

Nick Czinder got in on the act at the 4:31 mark, assisted by Stuart Higgins. Czinder’s goal, his seventh on the season, put the Phantoms ahead 2-1. Coach Bob Mainhardt should be given assists on the two Phantoms goals as he surely lit a fire under his team at the intermission. The Czinder goal also saw the Stars replace Coreau with new goalkeeper Matt Green.

Youngstown kept scoring as they registered a powerplay goal at the 10:38 mark. David Dowd connected from 20 feet to capitalize on a two-man advantage. Dowd was assisted by Andrej Sustr and David Donnellan. The powerplay score marked the sixth time in the last seven games the Phantoms have cashed in with a man advantage.

Lincloln cut into the Phantom lead at the 18:52 mark of the second period. Stars Defenseman Cory Hibbeler scored his first of the year, assisted by David Gerths and Reid. The second period would end with the Phantoms ahead 3-2.

The Phantoms took a two-goal lead with 3:56 left in the game when Eibler connected for a second time in the game. Stuart Higgins and Andrew Lamont picked up assists on some pretty passing at close range.

The Stars showed some resiliency in scoring a goal with 2:38 left in the game to cut the Phantom lead to 4-3.  Brodie Reid connected on a power play chance with assists from Matt Bruneteau and Ben Lynch. The goal was Reid’s seventh on the season.

With twelve seconds remaining in the game and the Stars on the power play, Lynch tied the game, 4-4, on a nice feed from Kyle Gibbons and the two goal lead had now evaporated and overtime was needed to decide the outcome.

No one was able to score in overtime setting the stage for the first-ever Phantoms shootout. The Stars also were untested in shootouts.

Gibbons shot first for Lincoln and missed. Brett Gensler went first for Youngstown and also missed. Brodie Reid was next for Lincoln and he hit the post and missed.  The Phantoms sent Andrej Sustr who connected and put the Phantoms ahead 1-0. Dominic Shine tied it up for Lincoln. The Phantoms sent Stuart Higgins who was stoned attempting the five-hole shot. All tied up 1-1. Tucker Brockett was stopped for Lincoln, and Joe Zarbo was denied for the Phantoms. Tied at 1-1, John McCarron scored to put Lincoln ahead 2-1. David Dowd was given the chance to tie it up but was stopped by Stars goaltender Matt Green preserving the shootout victory for Lincoln.

The Phantoms were outshot 33-21 but still managed to stay in the game thanks to some great stops by Mahalak. With the loss the Phantoms fell to 8-7-2 and the Stars improved to 7-12-0. The two teams will meet again Saturday night.

Coach Mainhardt was not pleased with the effort put forth by the Phantoms.  “We have guys that have never won before, and they refuse to learn how to win.  We continuously give up games because guys won’t stick to the gameplan.  I’m getting to the end of the line with some of these guys and Youngstown could have some new guys to cheer for if things don’t change real soon.  We have got a selfish group.  They think that when you go up two goals that it is time to put up stats and that is how they will get to the next level.  I am very frustrated because I have never had a group that refuses to stick to the gameplan like this group.”

Richard Young Tilt-O-Meter.

Entering This Game: 82 Penalty Minutes

vs Lincoln 11/27: 7 minutes

New Total: 89 minutes

Young was on his best behavior in the first two periods, almost eerily. That would all change in the third period as Young got whistled for elbowing and immediately fought with Stars D Cory Hibbeler to pick up a five minute fighting penalty.