The Youngstown Phantoms didn’t let the law of averages get them, not until overtime.  Youngstown (12-19-2) was outshot 47-24 by the visiting Sioux Falls Stampede (18-10-4) but survived the barrage until overtime.  Marcus Perrier buried a twenty-five footer 1:53 into overtime to boost the Stampede to victory by the score of 3-2.

In the first period, Sioux Falls got a power play goal and a 1-0 lead from Thomas ORegan at the 11:33 mark.  ORegan’s goal was his third on the season.  Marcus Perrier and Sam Coatta were awarded assists on the game’s opening score.

Right before the first period ended, the Phantoms were able to tie the contest at one goal apiece when Jiri Sekac connected on an even-strength chance.  Sekac’s tenth goal came with just 19 seconds left in the opening session and he was assisted by Ty Loney and Ben Paulides. The Phantoms were outshot 16-6 in the period, but the only ones that count are the pucks that hit the back of the net.

In an entertaining second period, Youngstown took a temporary 2-1 lead when Adam Berkle made a beautiful pass across the front lip of the crease to Quinn Smith, who buried the puck for his eighth of the season.  Smith beat Sioux Falls Goaltender, Juho Oikinuora with 3:48 of the second period elapsed.  The Stampede rustled back to a 2-2 tie on the wings of a couple of Reilly boys.  Connor Reilly scored on an even-strength feed from Ryan Reilly. Connor was credited with his sixth goal, and you guessed it, Ryan, with his sixth assist.  The fraternal twins are both headed to Minnesota on hockey scholarships.  At the end of the second period, nothing was settled and the Phantoms were outshot 35-17 to this point.

In the third period, neither team could find the goal.  Sioux Falls had a total of 45 shots on goal while the Phantoms only had 23.  A five minute overtime period would be needed to determine a winner, or need be it, a shootout.

In the overtime, Perrier broke Youngstown’s hearts with a twenty-five foot slap shot just beyond the left face off circle that got past Greg Lewis for the game winner.

After the game, Coach Carr reflected on the loss.  “It’s a point, we are 3-1-2 in our last six games, and we can’t be upset getting a point out of this game, but we need to be better tomorrow. Greg [Lewis] played a great game for us tonight, and he got screened by that last shot and unfortunately, we could not block it, but give Greg credit.  He has five starts and we have at least one point in all but one of those games.”

The Phantoms are holding on to the final playoff spot and the team right on their heels, Waterloo, makes a visit on Saturday.  Puck drops at 7:30 at the Covelli Centre.