Stampede’s Lindblad nets 2 as Phantoms fall

Staff/Wire report

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — Matt Lindblad scored twice — the game winner and a late insurance goal — to help the Sioux Falls Stampede defeat the Youngstown Phantoms, 3-1, on Friday at the Sioux Falls Arena.

Jefferson Dahl dragged the Phantoms within 2-1 with 3:36 remaining in the game. He buried his team-leading 13th from a sharp angle to stun the Stampede fans. But Lindblad ripped home a one-timer on the power play 1:24 later to restore Sioux Falls’ two-goal margin.

The Stampede (23-9-9, 55 points) swept the four-game season series with the Phantoms, outscoring them 22-5 in the process.

Sioux Falls netminder Lino Chimienti saw his first action of the season against Youngstown (14-25-2, 30 points), stopping 23 of 24 to drop the Purple and Orange to their eighth-consecutive loss and seventh straight away from home.

The Phantoms played a strong road period in the first, killing two Sioux Falls power plays, but it was an even-strength goal that put Youngstown behind after 20 minutes.

Brent Darnell plucked a Youngstown clearing attempt off the right-wing boards and fed Matt Farris in the slot for the 1-0 Sioux Falls lead with 2:27 remaining in the opening frame.

Lindblad extended the lead to 2-0 on a breakaway against Jordan Tibbett (28 saves) just 1:10 into the second frame. Jacob Johnstone found Lindblad, who had 10 points (three goals, seven assists) against the Phantoms this season, behind the defense for the chance.

Cody Strang set up Dahl’s goal with a lead pass through center. Dahl deked to the forehand and roofed a wrister between Chimienti’s left shoulder and the right post from a seemingly impossible angle.

The Phantoms’ four-game road swing continues tonight at the Ice Box in Lincoln, Neb., with the team’s fourth and final matchup with the Stars.