Ambrosia extends streak as Phantoms fall to Indiana

Staff report

indianapolis

The Youngstown Phantoms could not finish the year with a win as they lost a tough one to the Indiana Ice, 5-4, in a United States Hockey League game Friday night at Pepsi Coliseum.

Mike Ambrosia recorded an assist extending his point streak to four games in the losing effort for Phantoms (9-17-1, 19 points)

“We responded really well tonight,” said Phantoms Curtis Carr. “After a tough game after the break and the game against Des Moines our guys came out ready to play tonight. It was a tough day of travel and to play a hot Indiana team they way we did, there is nothing but positive things to say after this one.”

Cody Strang, Ryan Belonger, Ty Loney and Stuart Higgins scored for the Phantoms, who held a 37-33 edge in shots. Ben Paulides added two assists, while Adam Berkle and Jiri Sekac also had assists for Youngstown.

After a quiet 10 minutes to start the first period, Fritsche was sent to the penalty box for tripping at 10:22.

The power play was killed off by the Phantoms but the momentum gained while on the man advantage gave the Ice (13-10-2, 28 points) the edge they needed.

David Johnstone tipped a pass from Ferlin behind Matthew O’Connor to take the 1-0 lead.

Just over four minutes later on a Phantoms power play, Strang scored on a Berkle rebound for his sixth goal of the season. The secondary assist on the tying goal was credited to Sekac.

Forty-one seconds after the Phantoms goal, forward Belonger took advantage of a misplayed puck by Ice netminder Casey DeSmith to put the Phantoms up 2-1.

The goal was unassisted and it was Belonger’s ninth goal of the season. With 1:42 remaining in the first period, Berkle was issued a two-minute penalty for elbowing.

Before the Phantoms touched the puck to stop play, Ice forward Will Aide dropped the gloves with Berkle in response to his thrown elbow.

On the ensuing Ice power play, Ferlin was able to tie the game at two right off the faceoff in the Phantoms zone.