Lomberg’s shootout goal lifts Phantoms

Connor’s penalty shot tied the game in the third period in Madison

Associated Press

MADISON, WIS.

Youngstown Phantoms co-captain Ryan Lomberg scored the only goal in the shootout in Saturday’s 2-1 victory over the Madison Capitols.

The Phantoms’ regulation goal also came on a penalty shot. Kyle Connor tied the game midway through the third period, beating Capitols goaltender Darren Smith.

The Capitols’ Sam McCormick scored early in the second period on an assist from Mitch Hults.

Phantoms goaltender Colin DeAugustine earned his second victory in two nights, stopping 24 shots. DeAugustine was the winner in Friday’s 3-2 victory over the Muskegon Lumberjacks in Michigan.

Smith made 48 saves during regulation and the five-minute overtime.

The Phantoms (21-13-5, 47 points) have a five-point lead over first-year Madison (17-13-8, 42 points) in the Eastern Conference standings. They will play again this afternoon.

Youngstown did not score on eight power-play chances. Phantoms penalty killers stopped all four of the Capitols’ opportunities.

The Phantoms have won their last four road games. That offsets their four-game losing streak at the Covelli Centre.

Friday in Muskegon, James Winkler scored a pair of power-play goals, while Connor netted the game-winner.

“We practiced crashing the net and making it tough for the goalie all week in practice, and it was good to see it pay off tonight,” Winkler said. “It was my first time on the power play this year and it was really great to get a regular rep, and I think I made the best of it.”

Head coach Anthony Noreen said there is still work to be done on special teams.

“We talked about special teams needing to get better, and we get two power-play goals and our penalty kill shuts them down, so I think those were the biggest differences in the game,” Noreen said.

“We talked about needing to get to the net and score ugly goals and make it hard for their goalie, and I think we made it an extremely hard night for him.

DeAugustine stopped 33 of the 35 shots he faced against the Lumberjacks.