Phantoms fall to Stars

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. — The Mahoning Valley Phantoms failed to hold a third-period lead against the Traverse City North Stars, losing 5-4 Friday after a shootout.

It was the third straight meeting between the two teams that has gone past regulation. The Phantoms are 1-0-2 in those games.

With the Phantoms leading 4-2 in the last two minutes of the third period, North Stars defenseman Phil Wendecker fired a slap shot from the blue line that deflected off a stick and past Mahoning Valley goaltender Jordan Tibbett.

Eighteen seconds later, Traverse City’s Mike Schenfeld found teammate Kyle Bonis alone in front of the Phantoms net. Bonis snuck a wrist shot inside the right post to tie the game with 51 seconds left to force overtime.

In the seven-round shooutout, Erik Higby and Stefan Salituro scored for the Phantoms while Kyle Jean, Josh Miller and David Johnstone scored for the North Stars.

Nick Kenney scored twice for the Phantoms, including a power-play goal in the second period. Linemate Nick Shkreli added a goal and two assists. Also scoring for the Phantoms was Alex Lippincott.

Tibbett (14-3-1) made 29 saves.