Three late goals help Phantoms rally for 5-3 victory over Chicago

Vindicator staff report

BENSENVILLE, Ill. — Taylor Holstrom, Brett Gensler and Nick Czinder scored third-period goals as the Youngstown Phantoms rallied on Sunday for their second straight win.

The Phantoms (2-1) overcame a 3-2 deficit to defeat the Chicago Steel, 5-3, at the Edge Ice Arena.

Youngstown completed its first USHL regular-season road trip a perfect 2-0 after Saturday night’s 5-4 victory over the Des Moines Buccaneers.

Second-year USHL forward Holstrom triggered the Phantoms’ surge by stealing an attempted breakout pass in front of the Chicago goal and tossing a firm backhand into the top right corner at 10:28 of the third period. The goal tied the game 3-3.

Seconds after a power play expired, Gensler threw a forehand toward the goal from the bottom of the left circle. The puck somehow squirted through Steel goalie Connor Wilson with 6:13 to play.

Czinder added an insurance marker 56 seconds later, firing a wristshot over Wilson’s left shoulder.

The Phantoms took an early lead with a power-play goal. Defenseman Scott Mayfield pinched in from the point and rifled the puck over Wilson’s blocker.

Youngstown scored on its second power-play opportunity, with Andrew Lamont scoring his second goal in two games.

Chicago flexed its offensive muscle just 12 seconds after Lamont’s goal, with blueliner Patrick Raley blasting a shot over Jordan Tibbett’s glove hand from the right wing to cut the Phantoms lead to 2-1.

After Youngstown killed off the first four Chicago power plays, the Steel were able to convert the fifth into a goal courtesy of a Greg Wolfe goal.

Alex Krushelnyski set Wolfe up with a one-touch pass into the slot.

The Steel onslaught continued at 9:19, with Alex Carpenter tipping Sahir Gill’s drive up under the crossbar from close range to give the home team a 3-2 lead.

This weekend, the Phantoms will be back on the road again, playing the Lincoln (Neb.) Stars on Friday and the Buccaneers in Des Moines on Saturday.

Their next home games at the Covelli Centre will be Oct. 23-24 against the Tri-City Storm.