Shorthanded Phantoms fall to Force in ND

Staff report

FARGO, N.D.

Missing four players, the Youngstown Phantoms fell to the Fargo Force,5-2.

“Missing four of our regular forwards really hurt us tonight,” Phantoms coach Curtis Carr. “With the players we have out and the 19-hour trip, our guys were not as sharp as they could have been.”

Phantoms forward JT Stenglein scored his first USHL goal and Ryan Belonger recorded his fifth point in six games.

The Phantoms allowed a goal 1:29 into the game on a shot by Tyler Maugeri.

Stenglein tied the game 10 minutes later on a rebound goal off a shot from Adam Berkle. Defenseman Scott Mayfield was credited with the secondary assist.

The Phantoms then allowed two unanswered goals to give the Force a 3-1 lead.

Belonger’s second-period goal slice the lead to one, but the Force’s Chad Demers scored with 10 seconds remaining in the period.

Five third-period penalties helped limit the Phantoms to 13 shots in the game. Phantoms goaltender Matthew O’Connor stopped 30 shots.

“We need to get some rest and get some guys healthy as we head into Saturday night.” Carr said.

Garrett Allen scored a power-play goal for the Force in the final period.