York’s seven-point outburst powers Team USA over Phantoms

Staff report

PLYMOUTH, MICH.

Three nights after one of their most impressive wins of the season (5-1 at Muskegon against the Lumberjacks), the Youngstown Phantoms were pummeled.

Team USA scored seven goals in the third period for an 11-3 victory at the USA Hockey Arena. Goaltender Chad Veltri played 46:40, allowing seven goals. Christian Stoever relieved Veltri and allowed four goals.

Cam York scored three goals and made four assists to lead Team USA.

Jack Hughes, who many expect to be the first player taken in June’s NHL Draft, scored a goal and assisted on two others.

Brett Murray, the USHL’s leading scorer, produced a shorthanded goal late in the second period for the Phantoms. Also scoring for Youngstown were Matthew DeMelis and Jack Malone.

York’s first goal game 2:06 into the game. But 46 seconds later, the game was tied as DeMelis scored his seventh of the season. Earning assists were Liam Robertson and Gianfranco Cassaro.

The Phantoms struck again 17 seconds later as Malone scored his 15th with an assist from Jayson Dobay.

York’s second goal made it 2-2 after one period.

In the second period, Hughes and Alex Turcotte gave the Nationals a 4-2 lead. Murray’s 20th goal was unassisted and came with two seconds remaining in the second period.

Team USA converted on four of six power-play chances. The Phantoms failed on all five of their man-advantage opportunities.