Saturday, October 31, 2009
FARGO, N.D. — Brett Gensler broke a third-period tie with his second goal of the game and goaltender Matt Mahalak stopped 20 of 21 shots as the Youngstown Phantoms put a four-game winless streak to an end with a 3-1 win over the Fargo Force on Friday night at the Urban Plains Center.
Gensler, who leads Youngstown with five goals in eight games, also tallied late in the second off a Brian Dowd feed to counteract Johnnie Searfoss’ power-play marker and tie the game at 1 heading into the final frame. Defenseman Scott Mayfield iced the Phantoms’ third win of the season with a shorthanded goal that caromed off the side boards and into an empty net.
Searfoss’ goal came with 17:31 remaining in the second period and snapped a scoreless tie.
The score remained 1-0 until just 28 seconds remained, when Gensler scored on assists from Brian Dowd and Richard Young.
Gensler’s tie-breaking power play goal was assisted by Andrej Sustr and Michael Henderson, and came with 12:57 remaining in the game.
Mayfield’s unassisted goal came with 59 seconds to go.
Youngstown outshot the Force 23-21. Matthew Mahalak picked up the win, making 20 saves.
Cody Campbell took the loss for Fargo.
Youngstown was whistled for 10 penalties, totaling 20 minutes, while Fargo took eight penalties for 16 minutes.
Youngstown was 1 for 5 on the power play while the Force was 1 for 7.
The Phantoms (3-4-1) and the Force (4-4-0) play again tonight at 8:05.
Youngstown improved to 3-1-1 on the road while Fargo fell to 1-2-0 at home.