Phantoms lead early, lose late

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

The Phantoms put a scare into Team USA with a three-goal opening frame, but eventually fell 5-3 on Sunday afternoon at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube.

Although Louis Belpedio opened the scoring for Team USA, the Phantoms ran off three straight goals to go ahead by two in the first period. Alfred Larsson tallied on the power play to tie the game, Luke Stork scored on a centering pass after strong board work from Trey Bradley, and Kyle Connor extended his franchise record for points in a season by getting point number 68 on goal number 27, giving the Phantoms a 3-1 lead.

Team USA got one back before the first intermission, and slowly edged out the Phantoms over the final 40 minutes, scoring twice in the second to take a 4-3 lead it would not relinquish.

Youngstown valiantly tried to find an equalizer in the third, but came up just inches short against Team USA and goaltender Edwin Minney.

Youngstown will return to the Covelli Centre for a traditional Friday/Saturday doubleheader against the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders. Both games are scheduled to start at 7:05 p.m.