Force shuts out Phantoms

Staff report

FARGO, N.D.

Twenty-four hours after a 5-1 defeat, Fargo goalminder Robbie Beydoun earned a measure of revenge by blanking the Youngstown Phantoms, 3-0, on Saturday.

“We lacked a killer instinct tonight, it’s pretty simple,” Phantoms head coach John Wroblewski said. “Their first goal, someone has to block that, that can’t end up in the net.

“We had chances to take the lead before that, but from then on Fargo played desperate hockey and we didn’t match their intensity,” Wroblewski said.

Twelve minutes into the game, Fargo Shane McMahan’s wrist shot beat Phantoms goaltender Ryan Bednard.

Late in the second period with both teams having a player in the penalty box, Fargo capitalized on extra ice space. Hugo Reinhardt’s seventh goal of the season gave the Force a 2-0 lead.

Right before the third goal, Phantoms defenseman Vas Kolias had his stick knocked out of his hands exiting his own zone. The Force picked up the puck in the Youngstown end and Hank Crone beat Bednard for his 10th goal of the year.

“I think fatigue might have played a factor tonight,” Wroblewski said, citing the 18-hour journey. “We’re already playing short, then when you add the travel from Eastern Ohio to North Dakota, I think that could have played a part in our lack of killer instinct.

“Hopefully we can get some guys back for next weekend,” Wroblewski said.

Friday and Saturday at the Covelli Centre, the fourth-place Phantoms 21-15-4-5, 51 points) will take on the first-place Cedar Rapids RoughRiders (28-11-2-1, 59 points).