Stingy Phantoms defeat Gamblers

Staff report

GREEN BAY, WIS.

Jack Malone, Matthew Barry and Eric Esposito scored goals as the Youngstown Phantoms defeated the Green Bay Gamblers, 3-2, in Friday’s USHL contest at the Resch Center.

Goaltender Ivan Prosvetov stopped 26 shots as the Phantoms (27-18-5-1, 60 points) moved into second place in the Eastern Conference standings.

The loss keeps the Gamblers (25-19-4-1, 55 points) in fourth place, two points ahead of the Dubuque Fighting Saints. Only the top four teams in each conference qualify for the postseason.

After a scoreless first period, Noah Prokop’s goal gave the Gamblers an early lead.

Four minutes later, Malone tied the game on an assist from Joey Abate.

Three minutes later, Barry beat Gamblers goaltender Maksim Zhukov for a 2-1 lead. Mike Regush assisted on the goal.

One hundred seconds later, Esposito scored a power-play goal set up by Curtis Hall and Max Ellis.

Nolan Moyle scored the Gamblers other goal late in the second period.

Prosvetov stopped 12 shots in the third period to preserve the victory.

The Gamblers and Phantoms play again tonight.