Team USA rallies, edges Phantoms in SO

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

The Youngstown Phantoms jumped out to a four-goal lead but couldn’t hold on, falling 5-4 in a shootout to Team USA in a USHL game on Friday night at the Covelli Centre.

Trey Bradley scored twice and had an assist and Taylor Best had a goal and an assist for the Phantoms, who led 4-0 early in the third period.

Ryan Lomberg also scored, Bryan Lemos had three assists and Josh Melnick and Maxim Letunov also had assists for Youngstown.

Auston Matthews scored twice in the third period for Team USA, while Brendan Warren added a goal and an assist and Casey Fitzgerald also scored.

Letunov scored to open the shootout for the Phantoms but Melnick and Kyle Connor both failed. For Team USA, Michael Floodstrand failed on the opening attempt, but Troy Terry and Matthew Tkachuk each scored to put the game away.

Chris Birdsall had 39 saves for the Phantoms, who went 0 for 5 on power plays.

Luke Opilka had 16 saves for Team USA. The teams play again tonight starting at 7:05.