The Youngstown Phantoms topped the Tri-City Storm in overtime on Day 1 of the USHL Fall Classic. Here are my standouts and top performers from the game.
The Youngstown Phantoms topped the Tri-City Storm in overtime on Day 1 of the USHL Fall Classic. Here are my standouts and top performers from the game.
The Youngstown Phantoms topped the Tri-City Storm in overtime on Day 1 of the USHL Fall Classic.
The Storm took a two-goal lead less than eight minutes into the game after A.J. Lacroix (2025) and Ilya Morozov (2026) found the back of the net. Tri-City held a lopsided 16-2 shots on goal advantage after the opening 20 minutes.
However, Youngstown responded with three straight goals in the second period. Tri-City tied the game late in regulation to force overtime, where Kuzma Voronin potted the game-winner with 17 seconds left on the clock.
Phantoms netminder Melvin Strahl (CBJ) earned his first USHL win, stopping 29-of-32 on Wednesday.
Here are my standouts and top performers from the game.
Youngstown 4, Tri-City 3 (OT)
#9 Adam Benak (Youngstown)
Benak could not have drawn up a better USHL debut. The 2025 draft-eligible forward registered just one shot on goal but picked up two crucial assists, including the primary helper on Kuzma Voronin's overtime winner. Benak also found Jack Hextall (2026) on the backdoor for Youngstown's second goal of the game.
#17 Jack Hextall (Youngstown)
Hextall looked comfortable in his USHL debut and tied for a team-high three shots on goal. The 16-year-old tender signing found the back of the net for his first career USHL goal in the second period. Hextall and Benak's synergy was apparent throughout the game.
#79 Kuzma Voronin (Youngstown)
A key returner from last season, Voronin potted the overtime winner on a beautiful feed from Benak. The 18-year-old forward also picked up an assist on Conner de Haro's marker approaching the end of the second period, which put the Phantoms on top 3-2 at the time. Voronin finished with two points and two shots on goal.
#5 Conner de Haro (Youngstown)
After recording 10 points in 51 games last year, de Haro already has two after his first game. The New Hampshire commit exuded good offense from the blueline, finding the back of the net in the second period. de Haro also collected a secondary assist on Mikey Burchill's goal early in the frame, starting a run of three straight goals for the Phantoms.
#18 Ilya Morozov (Tri-City)
I'd have to look it up, but I am wondering if there has ever been two tender signings who scored their first USHL goals in the same game. Morozov was one of six Tri-City Storm skaters who registered three shots on goal. The 16-year-old found the back of the net off a deflection in front moments after taking a big hit against the boards.
#91 Colby Woogk (Tri-City)
Having spent the last two years in the NAHL, Woogk did not look out of place in his first USHL game. In fact, he was one of Tri-City's best skaters, tying for a team-high three shots on goal. Woogk found the back of the net on a beautiful goal, finding the top corner of the net to tie the game late in regulation.