Sekac’s shootout goal gives Phantoms 2-1 win over Lincoln

Staff report

LINCOLN, Neb. — Jiri Sekac scored the only goal of the shootout to lead the Youngstown Phantoms to a 2-1 victory over the Lincoln Stars in a United States Hockey League game on Saturday night.

The victory snapped an eight-game losing streak for the Phantoms (15-25-2, 32 points), who moved into a tie with Team USA for sixth place in the USHL East.

Lincoln fell to 12-26-6 (30 points) and remained in last place in the USHL West.

Adam Berkle also scored for the Phantoms, a short-handed tally with 5:25 remaining in the second period. It was Berkle’s ninth goal of the season. The Stars were less than a minute into a power play after the Phantoms’ Tyler Holstrom was second off for hooking.

The Stars tied the game with 12:19 remaining in the third period on a power-play goal by Ryan Dzingel, his sixth of the season. The Phantoms had just killed off a two-man advantage for Lincoln two seconds before Dzingel’s goal.

Youngstown’s Andrew Lamont was given two minutes for hooking with 14:21 to go, then Ben Paulides was whistled with 13:19 remaining for roughing.

Matthews Mahalak made 31 saves for Youngstown to pick up the win.

Neither team scored in the overtime, though Youngstown held a 5-2 advantage in shots on goal. The Phantoms enjoyed a 40-32 advantage in shots on goal for the game.

Youngstown has won all three games against Lincoln this season.

The Phantoms visit Omaha today at 6:05 p.m., then travel to Indiana on Wednesday night before playing host to Omaha for two games next weekend.