Phantoms score early for win

Staff report

MUSKEGON, Mich.

The Youngstown Phantoms grabbed the lead on the Muskegon Lumberjacks early Friday night at L.C. Walker Arena, netting three goals before the 11-minute mark.

The Phantoms went on to win, 5-2. It was a chippy game, punctuated with four fights on the night, and it set the stage for the series finale on Sunday in the Covelli Centre.

“We did a very good job of capitalizing on our chances tonight,” Phantoms head coach Anthony Noreen said. “I think in some other areas we could have improved, but we’ll work on that for Sunday.”

Austin Cangelosi scored a pair of goals and Sam Anas, Dylan Margonari and JT Stenglein also found the back of the net for the Phantoms (24-13-3).

Goaltender Matthew O’Connor turned away 21 of 23 shots from the last-place Lumberjacks (11-20-4) for his 21st win of the season.

“I think we set the tone [for Sunday],” Cangelosi said. “I think our third period we maybe backed off a bit.

“We could have gone a little bit harder and maybe scored a couple more goals, but I think for the most part we did a good job executing.”

Anas put the Phantoms up 1-0 on their first power play. He picked up a bouncing puck just inside the blue line, deked around ‘Jacks defenseman Travis Walsh, cut to the slot and put a wrist shot past Hayden Stewart, who was playing in just his third USHL game.