Phantoms lose second in row by same score
ST. LOUIS, Mo. — Ben Warda scored two goals and Mike Leone assisted on a pair, leading the St. Louis Bandits to a 5-1 victory over the Mahoning Valley Phantoms in a North American Hockey League game Sunday.
The Phantoms (27-16-4) lost both games of the weekend series by identical scores. They have lost seven of their last 10 games, and six of eight this season against St. Louis (39-8-2).
Nick Kenney’s power play goal early in the second period pulled Mahoning Valley to within 2-1, but Kyle O’Kane found the back of the net less than two minutes later, giving the Bandits a two-goal lead.
Warda added his second goal about 4 1/2 minutes later, and Ben Miller made it 5-1 with 2:50 remaining in the second period.
Grant Gorczyka and Warda scored 15 seconds apart in the first period to give the Bandits a 2-0 lead with 7:03 remaining.
Brent Dexter assisted on Kenney’s goal, which came at the 2:55 mark of the second period.
The Phantoms were outshot 30-24 and were just 1-for-7 on the power play.
St. Louis converted its only opportunity with a man advantage.
Bandits goalie Mike Johnson turned away 23 shots, while Jordan Tibbett suffered the loss with 25 saves for Mahoning Valley.
The Phantoms return home to face Alpena (Mich.) Friday and Saturday at the Ice Zone. Both games are scheduled to begin at 7:15 p.m.