Phantoms extend unbeaten streak to 4

Staff report

CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA

Markus McCrea netted two goals as the Youngstown Phantoms blasted the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders, 5-1, on Saturday for their fourth straight victory.

McCrea’s first goal, set up by Alfred Larsson, put the Phantoms ahead seven minutes into the game. After Davey Middleton scored to tie the game, Luke Stork scored to put the Phantoms ahead for keeps.

John Padulo and Ryan Lowney assisted on Stork’s goal.

In the second period, Sam Anas, McCrea and Daniel Renouf scored for a four-goal advantage.

Renouf, a defenseman, has three goals on the season as the Phantoms (4-0-0) are off to their best start in their four seasons in the USHL. The win keeps the Phantoms two points ahead of unbeaten Dubuque and Muskegon.

Goaltender Patrick Spano stopped 29 shots to improve to 2-0-0. Chris Birdsall made 31 saves for the RoughRiders.

Both team’s penalty killers excelled as the Phantoms went 0-for-7 on the power play and the RoughRiders were 0-for-5.

Next weekend at the Covelli Centre, the Phantoms will play the Dubuque Fighting Saints twice.