Phantoms force OT, then fall to Saints

Staff report

DUBUQUE, IOWA

In their first road game of the year, the Youngstown Phantoms rallied for two third-period goals to force overtime.

But the extra session belonged to the Dubuque Fighting Saints as Keegan Ford scored a power-play goal for a 3-2 victory at the Mystique Ice Center.

Phantoms goaltender Ryan Bednard was penalized for tripping during the extra five-minute session.

Michael O’Leary and Spenser Young set up the game-winning goal.

Bednard finished with 43 saves.

The Phantoms’ offense struggled, producing just 17 shots. Hunter Miska earned the victory by stopping 15 of them.

The Saints (4-2-0, 8 points) took a 1-0 lead in the second period on Evan Smith’s goal set up by Miska. Petter Makitalo made it 2-0 halfway through the third period. William Knierim and Baron Thompson set up the goal.

Vas Kolias got the Phantoms back in the game three minutes later with his first goal of the season. Tyler Drevitch and Matt Miller assisted.

Then with 6:49 remaining in regulation, Yushiroh Hirano tied the game with an assist by Kris Myllari.

The Phantoms (2-2-1, 5 points) went 0-for-4 on the power play. Their penalty killers stopped five of the Saints’ seven opportunities with an extra skater.

The Phantoms will be in Green Bay, Wis., tonight to play the Gamblers.