Phantoms clinch playoff berth


March 9, 2012 at 9:57p.m.

Phantoms clinch playoff berth

Staff report

INDIANAPOLIS

Despite Friday’s 5-2 loss to the Indiana Ice in Indianapolis, the Youngstown Phantoms (29-15-5, 63 points) clinched their first USHL playoff berth in three seasons when the Muskegon Lumberjacks (15-25-7, 37 points) lost to the Chicago Steel, 3-1.

Sam Anas and Dylan Margonari scored goals for the Phantoms. Goaltender Sean Romeo was pummeled with 53 shots. He stopped 48 of them. Youngstown went 1-for-4 on the power play.

The loss knocks the Phantoms into third place in the Eastern Conference. The top six teams in each conference qualify for the postseason. First-place Green Bay and second-place Indiana also have clinched playoff berths. The Ice and Phantoms are dueling for the second seed which earns a first-round bye.

The Phantoms play Saturday night in Ann Arbor, Mich., against Team USA.