Late goal defeats Phantoms in Iowa

SIOUX CITY, Iowa — Despite dominating play throughout Friday’s third period, the Youngstown Phantoms surrendered a late goal to the Des Moines Buccaneers and lost 3-2 in the USHL Fall Classic game at the IBP Ice Center.

D.J. Vandercook whipped a shot past Phantoms goalie Matt Malahak with 1:54 remaining to boost the Bucs to their second win in as many days. This morning, Youngstown will gun for its second preseason victory and first of the three-day league convention when they take on the Tri-City Storm at the Tyson Events Center.

Youngstown outshot the Buccaneers 39-21, including 18-6 in the second frame.

But the Phantoms couldn’t get a third goal past Des Moines netminder Charles Williams, who stopped 37 of 39 shots.

Mahalak turned away 18 shots in the Phantoms’ net.

The Phantoms weathered heavy Des Moines pressure in the opening 10 minutes and appeared to be on the verge of a breakthrough after being awarded back-to-back power plays.

But it was the Buccaneers who broke the ice, getting a shorthanded wrist-shot goal from Ryan Walters at 16:31.

Youngstown tied the game when Adam Berkle connected from close range at 18:07. Defenseman Ben Paulides gained the offensive zone, dropping a no-look pass onto the stick of Cody Strang, who drove the goal and found Berkle open on the right edge of the crease.

The Buccaneers regained the lead early in the second period when T.J. Tynan converted a Taylor Wolfe centering feed to make it 2-1.

The Phantoms tied the game when Brian Dowd scored late in the second period.