Phantoms get power-play rolling

Staff report

KEARNeY, NEB.

The Youngstown Phantoms needed overtime to seal the franchise’s first win over Cedar Rapids last week. Friday night against Tri-City, they made sure to get the job done regulation.

Five different Phantoms (5-2-0) scored and goaltender Sean Romeo turned away 41 of 42 shots in his first start of the season. The Youngstown power play, which ranked last in the USHL, went 3-for-7 and the Phantoms blew past the Storm 5-1.

“We needed some other guys to step up and start contributing and not just 5-on-5, but on the power play and the penalty kill,” Phantoms coach Anthony Noreen said.

The Storm (3-4-0) scored first, when Adam Chlapik found Nick Lappin open on the backdoor with both Pat Conte and Kevin Liss in the box.

Conte tied the game with 5:22 left in the first quarter on an assist by Richard Zehnal, the Phantoms took the lead on Dylan Margonari’s goal with 18:10 left in the second period.

Ryan Belonger and Michel Gunn also scored for Youngstown in the middle frame, and Jordan Young closed the scoring with 2:37 left in the game.

“We need to make other teams pay,” said Noreen. “Special teams was the difference tonight.”