Phantoms lose fourth straight

Staff report

MUSKEGON, MICH.

Charlie Taft scored two goals and the Muskegon Lumberjacks held Youngstown scoreless on six power-play chances to defeat the Phantoms, 3-2, in a United States Hockey League game on Saturday night.

Youngstown (9-14-1) scored the game’s first and last goals, by Mike Ambrosia and Ryan Belonger, but the Lumberjacks (11-9-5) scored three straight goals, including one by Brendan Woods, to claim the victory.

Ambrosia’s goal, his fourth of the season, was a short-handed tally with 8:51 remaining in the first period (on an assist by Ben Paulides) to give the Phantoms a 1-0 lead.

Ambrosia and Justin Stevens assisted on Belonger’s goal with 2:39 remaining in the game.

Belonger’s goal was his seventh of the season. He’s tied for second on the team with 14 points.

Woods’ goal came on a power-play with 8:19 remaining in the first period, just 32 seconds after Ambrosia’s tally, and with only 15 seconds remaining with the extra man after the Phantoms were whistled for too many players on the ice.

Taft’s first goal, with 7:09 left in the second period, gave the Lumberjacks a 2-1 lead. Chris Lochner assisted on the play.

Muskegon made it 3-1 with 11:41 remaining the game on Taft’s goal, with helpers by Kevin Albers and Woods.

The Phantoms have lost four straight games.