The Phantoms rally but fall short

They’ll try again tonight against Team USA.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — The Mahoning Valley Phantoms rallied back from a three goal deficit in the middle of the second period, only to lose 4-3 in a seven-round shootout Friday night against the U.S. National Development Under-17 Team.

Team USA forward Drew Shore scored the lone goal of the shoot-out, putting a backhand up over the shoulder of Phantoms goaltender Garrett Bartus to win the game. Bartus stopped 39 of 42 shots in regulation, and six of seven in the shoot-out.

Brent Dexter tied the game at 3-3 with only 7:25 left in the third period. Dexter blocked a shot at his own blue line, beat the defenseman to the puck, and fired a shot off the left post behind American goaltender Adam Murray to complete the rally.

The U.S. opened the scoring when Kyle Palmieri fired a shot over the blocker of Bartus at 14:50 of the first period, giving the Americans a 1-0 lead after 20 minutes.

Sam Calabrese made it a two-goal lead just 2:28 into the second period. Palmieri’s second goal of the game, five minutes later, put the Americans ahead by three.

The Phantoms started their comeback at 12:32 of the middle frame. Johnny Meo cut the lead to 3-1, deflecting the puck off the leg of an American defenseman and over the goal line. Alden Hirschfeld picked up the assist, his fifth point in three games.

Scotty Moser made it 3-2 when he put a rebound between Murray’s legs at 5:09 of the third period. Meo and Graham picked up the assists.

Mahoning Valley and Team USA battle again tonight at 7 at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube. The game will be webcast live on www.mvpphantoms.com.