Lumberjacks ignite for six goals to down Phantoms

Staff report

MUSKEGON, Mich.

The Muskegon Lumberjacks scored three times in the second period in Friday’s 6-2 victory over the Youngstown Phantoms.

After Mike Ambrosia’s first-period power-play goal gave the Phantoms (11-18-2, 24 points) a 1-0 lead, the Lumberjacks (13-11-6, 32 points) took over, scoring six times against goaltender Matt O’Connor.

Jordan Young assisted on Ambrosia’s goal and Stuart Higgin’s power-play goal late in the third period.

“I thought the first period was very even,” Phantoms coach Curtis Carr said. “Each team had their opportunities but both goalies played well to keep the game tied.”

Scoring for the Lumberjacks were Isaac Kohls, Alexx Privitera, Mike Moran, Charlie Taft, John Parker and Chris Lochner. Paul Berrafato made 38 saves.

“You have to give their goalie a lot of credit,” Carr said. “We know we need to put pucks and bodies on the net.

“Our gameplan focuses around that and their goalie played extremely well stopping 38 of 40 shots,” Carr said.

O’Connor stopped 30 shots.

“We had three bad breakdowns in the second,” Carr said. “We got away from our gameplan and made some bad decisions with the puck. We tried to make some highlight real plays and they hurt us.”

The Phantoms-Lumberjacks rivalry heated up when 14 penalty minutes were issued in the final three minutes.

Today at 4 p.m., the Phantoms’ weekend road trip will end with a game in Ann Arbor, Mich., against Team USA 18-under squad.

The Phantoms are 1-0-1 against the Nationals, including last Sunday’s 4-3 shootout loss to the 17-Under squad.

“It should not be too hard to motivate our guys for tomorrow,” Carr said. “Anytime you play a team as good as the National Team you know you need to bring your best game. We know we need to be better.”