MacEachern, Schoen lift Phantoms to shootout victory

Staff report

PLYMOUTH, MICH.

The Youngstown Phantoms rallied from a two-goal, third-period deficit to post a 4-3 shootout win on Friday against the Team USA 17-younger squad.

Connor MacEachern scored twice in 122 seconds to lift the Phantoms into a 3-3 tie.

His first goal was unassisted while the second one was set up by linemate Brett Murray.

Ben Schoen, who scored the Phantoms’ other goal, scored the only goal of the shootout.

Goaltender Chad Veltri stopped all seven shootout shots he faced. He made 41 saves in regulation and overtime.

The win was the 99th of Brad Patterson’s head coaching career (three seasons) and the Phantoms’ 299th in 10 seasons.

Schoen’s first goal was unassisted and came midway through the first period.

Two-and-a-half minutes later, Landon Slaggert tied the game on an assist from Hunter Strand.

Hunter McKown snapped the tie early in the second period. Sixty-one seconds into the third period, Ryder Rolston’s goal made it 3-1.

The Phantoms (32-19-1-4, 69 points) remain in fourth place in the USHL’s Eastern Conference, three points ahead of Team USA which has a game-in-hand.

The Phantoms trail second-place Chicago by three points and third-place Cedar Rapids by two.

The Phantoms’ next two games are against Team USA’s 18-younger squad.