Phantoms’ road losing woes continue with 3-2 setback in Cedar Rapids

SPECIAL TO THE VINDICATOR

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — David Boehm’s rebound goal with 54 seconds to play in the third period provided the winning margin, as the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders struck the final blow Saturday night at the Cedar Rapids Ice Arena, prevailing 3-2 over the Youngstown Phantoms.

With the Phantoms pinned in their own zone as the clock ticked under a minute, Bryce Aneloski’s heavy slapshot from the right point slammed off the right pad of Youngstown goalie Matt Mahalak and toward the left circle, where Boehm found himself alone for the clincher.

Mahalak made a career-high 44 saves for the Phantoms, who will return to Youngstown to begin a five-game homestand Friday night against Sioux Falls. Cody Strang, with his fourth goal in three games this week, and Brett Gensler tallied goals for the Phantoms, who fell for the sixth straight time away from Covelli Centre.

The teams entered the third tied 1-1, but Cedar Rapids’ Eric Robinson nailed his second goal of the season series with Youngstown to give the home side its first lead at 5:12 of the final stanza. Robinson was assisted by blueliner Steven Hensley’s feed from the right boards.

Youngstown evened the score when Gensler struck from the doorstep. Jiri Sekac’s backhand pass found Taylor Holstrom open in front, but Cedar Rapids netminder Cody Campbell made the save, kicking the puck to Gensler. The former RoughRider then punched in his 12th goal of the campaign.

The story of the first period was the perfect play of both goaltenders. Mahalak denied all 12 Cedar Rapids shots while Campbell.

The Phantoms broke the scoreless tie when Strang finally beat Campbell at 3:17. Jefferson Dahl’s centering pass deflected off Ryan Jasinsky and into the right corner, where Strang hopped to it and whistled a bad-angle shot off Campbell. Cason Hohmann’s goal with 5:11 remaining tied the score at 1.