Phantoms hang on for their first USHL victory

vindicator staff report

DES MOINES, Iowa — Jefferson Dahl’s two goals included a shorthanded tally that led the Youngstown Phantoms to their first USHL victory.

Dah’s shorthanded goal in the second period put the Phantoms ahead 5-2 and they hung on for a 5-4 victory Saturday against the Des Moines Buccaneers before 2,110 fans at the Buccaneer Arena.

Phantoms goaltender Matthew Mahalak stopped 25 shots to pick up the victory.

Set up by Brett Gensler and Scott Mayfield, Stuart Higgins scored the Phantoms’ first goal about three-and-a-half minutes into the game.

After the Buccaneers’ Connor Frick tied the contest, the Phantoms jumped ahead 3-1 on goals by Andrew LaMont and Jean-Laurence Beauchemin.

Nick Czinder and Taylor Holstrom set up Lamont while J.D. Carrabino assisted on Beauchemin’s goal.

Des Moines’ T.J. Tynan scored a power-play goal late in the first period.

Czinder assisted on Dahl’s first goal early in the second period that restored the Phantoms’ two-goal bulge.

About 90 seconds later, Holstrom fed Dahl a pass that he converted into a shorthanded goal.

Austin Coldwell and Ryan Walters scored the Buccaneers’ other goals.

Youngstown outshot Des Moines, 42-29.

The Phantoms’ roadtrip continues this afternoon with a game against the Steel in Chicago at 4 p.m.