Berkle and Lamont ignite the Phantoms

Staff report

ANN ARBOR, MICH.

Working hard and waiting patiently for their chances, the Youngstown Phantoms were rewarded three times Friday night against Team USA at the Ice Cube.

The Phantoms overcame an early hiccup to claim a come-from-behind 3-2 win over the U.S. National Team.

Adam Berkle and Andrew Lamont scored 2:20 apart midway through the third period to break a 1-1 tie, with both goals resulting from Team USA turnovers. Berkle whipped a wrister from the slot past goalie Matt McNeely’s glove hand, then Lamont sniped one into the top shelf from below the left circle to raise the lead to two.

National Team defenseman Kevin Clare drew the home side back within one with just 1:18 to play, but the Phantoms rallied around netminder Jordan Tibbett, who made 32 saves, to preserve the victory.

Youngstown is 3-1-0 against the Under-17 squad and has earned points in four of seven games in the month of March (2-3-2).

The Phantoms (18-34-4, 40 points) trailed 1-0 just 19 seconds after the opening faceoff as Travis Boyd cut to the middle and stuck a shot into the top-right corner of the net.

But for the second-straight game, Youngstown successfully battled back after surrendering an opening-minute tally.

A lack of discipline from Team USA (24-29-4, 52 points) opened the door for the Phantoms’ equalizer. Michael Paliotta took a roughing penalty at 12:43 of the second, tossing Youngstown’s Ty Loney to the ice after a collision.

Tom Serratore made that indiscretion loom large when he blasted a slapper from the left point that found its way behind McNeely with under six minutes remaining in the frame. Jefferson Dahl and Berkle, who provided the screen in front, picked up assists.