Story by Tri-City Athletic Communications
The Tri-City Storm dropped an overtime decision to the Youngstown Phantoms by a final score of 5-4 Saturday night at the Covelli Centre. Jake Rozzi, Artemi Nizameyev, Trevor Connelly, and A.J. Lacroix each netted a goal during the contest for the Storm. Tri-City set a new season-high with three powerplay goals during the matchup. The Storm also tied a season-high for most goals scored in a road game this year in the overtime loss. Tri-City will return home to the Viaero Center on Friday night in hopes of snapping a five-game losing streak. Puck drop for Friday’s home game against Waterloo is scheduled for 7:05pm CT.
Conner De Haro scored his first goal of the year at 7:17 of the 1st period to give the Phantoms a one-goal lead in the matchup. Charlie Cerrato and Finn McLaughlin each notched an assist on the scoring play. Jake Rozzi scored his first goal with the Storm at 9:39 of Saturday’s opening period to bring the game to a 1-1 tie. Rozzi’s goal was the Storm’s first of three scored on the powerplay during Saturday night’s matchup. Trevor Connelly and Cooper Simpson each recorded an assist on the Storm’s scoring play. The Phantoms outshot the Storm 10-9 during the 1st period, and Saturday’s 2nd period began in a 1-1 tie.
Artemi Nizameyev scored his third goal of the year at 3:31 of Saturday’s middle period to give Tri-City a 2-1 lead in the matchup. The goal was netted on the powerplay, and was assisted by Trevor Connelly. Connelly scored his fourth goal of the year at 11:30 of the middle period to increase the Storm’s lead to two goals. The goal was scored on the powerplay, and was assisted by Artemi Nizameyev and Jake Rozzi. The final goal of Saturday’s 2nd period was netted by Kuzma Voronin with under six minutes to play. Voronin’s goal was his second of the year, and was assisted by Adam Pietila and Braiden Clark. The Phantoms outshot the Storm 9-8 in the 2nd period, but trailed by a single goal entering Saturday’s 3rd period.
A.J. Lacroix scored the first goal of his USHL career at 8:29 of Saturday’s 3rd period to give Tri-City a 4-2 lead in the matchup. Philippe Blais-Savoie and Luke Posthumus each notched an assist on Lacroix’s even-strength goal. The Phantoms lifted goaltender Colin Winn for an extra attacker with under two minutes to play in Saturday’s 3rd period. Youngstown scored on a six-on-four attack while Charlie Kinsman served a minor penalty for hooking. The goal was netted by Tory Pitner, and was assisted by Kuzma Voronin. Ryan Botterill scored his seventh goal of the year with under a minute to play to tie the game at 4-4 and to force an overtime finish to Saturday’s game. The Phantom’s game-tying goal was also netted with an extra attacker on the ice.
The Storm outshot the Phantoms 5-3 during the overtime period, but fell by a final score of 5-4. Ryan Botterill scored his second goal of the night, and eighth goal of the year with less than fifteen seconds remaining in the overtime period to seal the Phantoms’ victory. The Storm was outshot by an overall margin of 35 to 25 during the battle.
Ivan Zhigalov recorded the overtime loss in net for Tri-City after making 30 saves on 35 shots during the contest. Colin Winn collected the win in net for Youngstown after turning away 21 of Tri-City’s 25 shots on net. Winn was assessed a ten-minute misconduct penalty following the game.
The Storm finished the game 3/7 on the powerplay, and 5/6 on the penalty kill. Tri-City dropped to 7-6-1-0 on the season in Saturday’s loss.
Tri-City will return home for back-to-back games against the Waterloo Black Hawks on Friday, November 10th, and Saturday, November 11th. Friday’s game will feature a $5 Kids Friday presented by Big Apple Fun Center. Saturday’s game will serve as the organization’s annual Military Appreciation Night presented by Nebraska Warriors. The Storm will wear specialty jerseys for the contest that will be auctioned off following the game. Puck drop for Friday’s game against Waterloo is set for 7:05pm CT. Saturday’s game will begin at 6:05pm CT. Tickets to each upcoming home game can be purchased online by skating to www.StormHockey.com, or by contacting a member of the Storm sales staff by calling the Viaero Center Box Office at 308-338-8144.
The Storm hits the ice again on Friday, November 10th, in a home game against the Waterloo Black Hawks. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05pm CT. Skate to www.StormHockey.com for individual game tickets and more information regarding the Tri-City Storm organization. The Tri-City Storm is presented by Viaero Wireless.