Phantoms extend Steel success

CHICAGO

Stu Higgins and Scott Mayfield scored power-play goals as the Youngstown Phantoms improved to 2-0-0 with Saturday’s 2-1 victory over the Chicago Steel.

The Phantoms have won seven straight games against the Steel (1-1-0), dating to last year’s first season in the USHL.

Higgins scored at the 12:36 mark of the first period, with Jordan Young and Ryan Belonger getting assists.

“It was big for us to grab the first goal,” Phantoms forward Ty Loney said. “The early goal gives us a lot of confidence.”

Less than a minute later, the Steel tied the game when Darik Angeli beat Phantoms goalie Matt O’Connor.

Mayfield’s goal was unassisted and came with 56 seconds remaining in the first period.

“With Stu and Mayfield grabbing our two goals, it is very important to see the veterans on our roster take the lead early in the season,” Loney said. “In the beginning of a new season, it is important for us older guys to lead on the ice and that is what we were able to do the past two nights.”

The Phantoms went 0-for-1 and the Steel 0-for-2 in the remaining powerplays.

The Phantoms peppered Steel goalie Connor Wilson with 37 shots.

“Connor Wilson played a great game for Chicago,” Phantoms coach Curtis Carr said. “It was good to see our guys come out the way they did after a long bus trip from Des Moines to Chicago. It can be difficult to get the legs going at the start of a game and it was great to see the team work so hard after a tough game last night.”