Pee Wees lose two, cling to final playoff spot

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Defenseman Tallon Price (Poland) sits patiently waiting on the opponent during one of last weekend's games.

The Youngstown Phantoms Pee Wee AA team resumed league play and began the final run to the playoffs by hosting two games last weekend at the Covelli Centre.

The Phantoms were holding onto the fourth spot in the standings with five games remaining. The top six teams qualify for the postseason tournament.

On Saturday, the Phantoms fell to the Pittsburgh Vipers, 3-2. Youngstown scored first on a power-play goal by Devin Whitaker (Boardman) at the 8:01 mark of the first period. Assisting was Robbie Stanko (Canfield).

The Vipers tied the game on a breakaway shot with 16 seconds left in the period and added two more goals in the second period, while holding Youngstown to only five shots.

Starting the third period, Whitaker scored his second goal of the game, assisted by RJ Pozzuto. But the Phantoms were unable to get the tying goal. Youngstown goalie Nick Beck (Boardman) faced 23 shots.

Youngstown hosted the Pittsburgh Huskies on Sunday morning, suffering its second one-goal loss of the weekend, 4-3. The Phantoms fell behind 30 seconds into the game on a Huskie breakaway goal. Youngstown tied the game 1-1 when Alex Ritz, assisted by Stanko and Pozzuto, scored on the first power play of the game.

The Phantoms took the lead at the 1:43 mark of the period when Tallon Price (Poland) found the net, getting assists from Maguire Franko (Poland) and Nick Neiger. That lead lasted only 30 seconds as the Huskies tied it up at the 1:13 mark.

Pittsburgh scored the only goal of the second period and added its fourth goal at 11:16 of the third period. Youngstown fought back and scored at the 1:34 mark, but could not generate enough offense to overcome the two goals. Getting the final goal was Franko, assisted by Ritz and Justin Beachler. Nick Beck faced 32 shots at goalie.

The Phantoms now hold the sixth and final playoff spot with three games remaining.