Phantoms earn weekend split

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

Despite a heartbreaking overtime loss, the Youngstown Phantoms captured three of four possible points during their weekend trip to Nebraska.

The Lincoln Stars scored a last-minute power play goal to force overtime on Saturday. The Stars won with another special teams tally for a 2-1 victory.

“I’m not disappointed with the outcome of our weekend, I’m disappointed for our guys who deserved a win [Saturday],” Phantoms Head Coach John Wroblewski said.

Friday, the Phantoms defeated the USHL-leading Stars, 4-1.

The Phantoms got on the board first when Matt Miller found the rebound following a Yushiro Hirano slap shot. It was Miller’s first goal of the season.

Youngstown kept the league leading Stars off the board for more than 59 minutes, until Ethen Frank squeaked a rebound past Phantoms goalie Ryan Bednard with just 29 seconds left in regulation.

Frank’s goal came on the power play with a 6 on 4 advantage after Lincoln had pulled goaltender Patrik Virtanen.

The Stars caught a break when Luke McInnis was called for tripping. Ludvig Hoff snuck a one-timer past Bednard to win the game for Lincoln.