ICE HOCKEY Phantoms edge national team

Joe Federoff, a new face in the lineup, made a difference for Youngstown.
By GREG GULAS
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
BOARDMAN -- Joe Federoff and Casey Russell each had a goal and assist, and Youngstown outshot the USA National Team 44-28 to win 3-2 in Junior A/North American Hockey League action Friday at The Ice Zone.
The Phantoms (12-7-6) have won three of four, while the USA National squad (16-10-1) lost its fourth straight.
"This was a great game for us," Phantom coach Bob Mainhardt said. "It seems like every time we hit the ice, we come together just a little bit more than the previous outing.
"The key to our recent play has been the personnel changes that we have made," he added. "Team chemistry is just as important as team skill and we seem to have both going for us right now."
Jet-lagged
The USA National team, still a bit sluggish since returning from a recent trip to Russia, took a 1-0 lead when Phil Kessel found the net at 1:19 of the opening period.
"I thought we had a good opening period, then went flat in the second period of play," USA coach David Quinn said. "We really don't match up very well with the Phantoms, plus this seems to be a very difficult place for us to play.
"They are a tough, physical team and we didn't get very many second chances," he added. "Our special teams struggled as their two power play goals spelled the difference for them tonight."
The Phantoms tied the game at a goal apiece when Carson Strang scored his team-best 11th goal at 7:34. When Charley Fetzer and Federoff assisted Casey Russell on his first goal of the year at 7:34, it gave Youngstown a 2-1 lead after the first period.
The Phantoms never trailed again.
Welcome aboard
Federoff, who was playing in just his second game for Phantoms after being acquired last week from the Toledo Ice Diggers, scored his first goal as a Phantom at 6:41 of the second period as Youngstown took a 3-1 lead.
"Federoff has been a great addition in just the short time that he has been with us," Mainhardt said. "He really fits in with our blue-collar work mentality."
Quinn agreed.
"We played better in the third period, but had to contend with Federoff quite a bit," said Quinn. "Federoff is not only a great addition on the ice, but off the ice, as well."
The USA National team made it 3-2 when Ryan Stoa (with an assist from Jack Skille) found the net at 10:19 of the final period.
Phantom goalie John Murray rejected 26 of 28 shots -- 12 of those coming in the final 20 minutes.
USA National goalie Billy Blase had 41 saves -- 30 in the first two periods.