DeMelis scores game-winner vs Team USA

Staff report

PLYMOUTH, Mich.

The Youngstown Phantoms scored three goals in the third period to beat the Team USA 17U squad Friday night at USA Hockey Arena.

Youngstown forward Matt DeMelis scored the go-ahead goal with 13:27 left in the final period. It was his 13th goal of the year.

Connor MacEachern recorded his 25th goal of the season and Jack Malone added his 19th in the final minutes.

Ben Schoen opened the scoring less than three minutes into the game.

Schoen scored a power-play goal 22 minutes into the man advantage after Team USA’s Luke Tuch was called for checking from behind. It was his sixth of the season and third in his last six games.

It was the Phantoms’ only power play of the night.

Dalton Messina, Joey Abate, Liam Robertson, Malone and Schoen each recorded an assists for the Phantoms (35-21-1-4, 73 points).

Chad Veltri recorded his 20th win of the season. The Phantoms goalie stopped 24 of 25 shots.

Ryder Rolston scored for Team USA (30-23-2-6, 68 points) in the first to tie the game at 1. Carter Mazur was credited with an assist.

Drew Commesso made 22 stops for Team USA.

The Phantoms and Team USA 17Us will return to the Covelli Centre tonight to close out the regular season. Puck drops at 7:05 p.m.