Black Hawks Feel Late Pressure From Phantoms

Hopes rose and fell for Waterloo Black Hawks fans during the closing minutes of the third period Friday (March 20, 2015) at Young Arena.

The Youngstown Phantoms extended their USHL-best winning streak to 15 games with a 2-1 decision.

The visitors had recorded the only goal during the first 55 minutes of hockey, but with 4:20 remaining in regulation, the Hawks’ Brock Boeser tied the score with a power play goal, shooting from the left circle and lifting the puck to the opposite top corner over the glove of goalie Colin DeAugustine.

Waterloo battled through a subsequent Youngstown man-advantage, then thought they had taken the lead when Nick Swaney batted a loose puck toward a seemingly open Youngstown net with a minute to go. Somehow, the disc stayed out, and on the Phantoms’ subsequent trip down the ice, Josh Nenadal capitalized on a feed out of the right corner with 42.7 seconds to play. After a review confirmed Swaney’s chance had not gone in, Nenadal’s goal proved to be the winner.

The Hawks had outshot the Phantoms 11-3 in the opening period, but Youngstown registered the only goal before intermission on their second shot at 16:33. Max Letunov centered from behind the net and found Josh Melnick, who scored with a quick release from the left hashmark.

NEXT UP: The Hawks and Phantoms don’t have to wait long to meet again. Waterloo hosts a rematch at 7:05 p,m, Saturday. The contest is part of the Hawks’ annual UAW Weekend, with $8 tickets for all UAW Local 838 members and their families. All college students can also purchase $8 tickets (limit one college ticket per student ID). For more details, call the Domino’s Black Hawks Box Office at (319) 291-7680.