Phantoms drop 2-1 game to Team USA

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — The Mahoning Valley Phantoms defense had another strong outing Saturday night against Team USA, but the offense came up short as the Nationals held off the Phantoms. 2-1.

Goaltender Garrett Bartus made 28 saves in the loss, dropping him to 3-4-2 on the 2008-09 campaign.

Veteran Phantoms defenseman John Houston praised Bartus’ effort despite the loss.

“Garrett stepped up and played really well,” Houston said. “He was there with big saves when we needed him. It’s tough because he deserved a win tonight but we couldn’t pick him up.”

After a scoreless first period, Team USA broke through for two goals in the second period. Luke Moffatt opened the scoring when he poked a rebound beneath Bartus 4:45 into the second period.

The eventual game-winner came when USA forward Chase Balisy snuck behind the Mahoning Valley defense for a breakaway while on the penalty kill. He deked to the left and beat Bartus stick side for the Nationals’ second goal of the period.

The Phantoms briefly tied the game on Erik Higby’s seventh goal of the season. Higby lifted a Brandon Saad rebound past Nationals goalie Will Yanakeff and knotted the affair at 1-1.

Yanakeff also made 28 saves and improved to 5-4-1 on the season with the win.

The loss dropped the Phantoms (16-6-2, 34 points) back into second place in the North Division, one point behind the Traverse City North Stars (15-5-5, 35) who lost 4-3 in a shootout to Alpena on Saturday.

The surging Marquette Rangers (14-13-4, 32 pts) pulled to within two points of the Phantoms with a 4-3 win at Motor City.

The Phantoms return to action Friday when they host the Rangers at the Chevrolet Centre. The game is scheduled for a 7:15 p.m. faceoff.