HOCKEY Beaudry's goal delivers Phantoms past U.S. team

The Phantoms scored their second straight win over the U.S. National squad.
By GREG GULAS
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
BOARDMAN -- Christian Beaudry's goal at 13:19 of the third period broke a 2-2 deadlock, and the Youngstown Phantoms held off the U.S. National Under-17 squad, 3-2, in a Junior A North American Hockey League game Sunday at The Ice Zone.
The win, the team's second straight, gave the Phantoms (2-1-1) a sweep of the Under-17 squad this weekend.
The USA National squad (3-3-1) lost its second straight.
"Christian Beaudry has just been outstanding for us," Phantoms coach Bob Mainhardt said. "He has contributed in many different ways over the past two weeks while his confidence level has increased over that same span.
"Unlike [Saturday's] game, this was an up and down game today. We showed plenty of emotion and character."
Penetration
It took the Phantoms just three shots to penetrate the USA National net. Jared Katz, with an assist from Beaudry, scored the first goal of the game at 2:51, and when Carson Strang assisted Aaron Rhyner at 6:10, the Phantoms opened a 2-0 lead.
That would be their last score for 40:31.
The USA National squad got a Chris Cahill goal at 16:56 of the first period to cut the Phantom lead to 2-1. When Nate Lawrence added a power play goal at 15:05 of the second period, the score was knotted at two heading into the final 20 minutes.
"I was disappointed with our play in the first period but encouraged by our execution in the second period," USA National coach David Quinn said. "When you are dealing with 16 year-olds, it is tough to get their attention span for an entire 60 minutes.
Blew coverage
"We played well defensively, but we allowed the winning goal to score off a blown face-off coverage. We will be fine, but right now it is my job to get the players to understand the mental part of the game," Quinn added
For the second straight game, John Murray turned in a stellar performance in goal for the Phantoms. He rejected 33 shots by the USA National squad Sunday and for the two-game set, turned back 64 of 68.
The Phantoms travel to Toledo Wednesday.