BOX SCORE

YOUNGSTOWN, OH – A pair of second period power play goals lifted the Youngstown Phantoms (15-6-1-1, 32pts) to a 2-1 victory over the Tri-City Storm Saturday night at the Covelli Centre.

"Was good to get two wins at home," said Phantoms Head Coach Ryan Ward. "We had some opportunities; we had some zone time. Obviously special teams were big for us. Big positive on that side of it."

After a scoreless first period, Youngstown was awarded a major power play at 3:07 of the second, which quickly turned into a 5-on-3 advantage after another Tri-City penalty at 3:38. The Phantoms needed just 24 seconds of the 5-on-3 for Cooper Simpson to cash in on a wrister from the right circle that seemed to hit something in front and redirect behind Michal Pradel (30 saves) to put Youngstown ahead. Later in the same power play, Simpson let go another wrister from the right circle that Pradel stopped, but the rebound settled behind him in the blue paint. Ryan Rucinski was right there and quickly knocked the loose puck into the net, putting Youngstown ahead 2-0 at 6:48 with his league-leading 10^th power play goal of the season. Tri-City was awarded a major power play of their own at 10:51 when Youngstown was called for spearing, but the Phantoms kept the Storm off the board, allowing just one shot during the five-minutes while outshooting Tri-City 15-3 in the middle frame.

Tri-City clawed back into the game with a leaky goal at 5:09 of the third when Mason Jenson's shot from below the right circle found its way through the five hole of Owen Lepak (12 saves), but Lepak shut the door after that, preserving the 2-1 victory.

Simpson and Rucinski both extended their scoring streaks to ten and seven games respectively. Simpson now has seven points (2G-5A) in three games against his former team this season. Jack Willson saw his seven-game scoring streak end, leaving him tied with Tory Pitner, Andrew Strathmann, and Trey Taylor for the longest scoring streak in Phantoms' history by a defenseman.

Youngstown and Tri-City will matchup again next weekend at the Tim Horton's IcePlex in Brighton, New York at the USHL American Cup, powered by Wegmans. The two teams will renew acquaintances Thursday and Friday before Youngstown returns to Covelli Saturday night to take on the U18's.

By The Numbers
Shots – 32
Saves – 12
Power Play – 2/5
Penalty Kill – 3/3
Goals – Rucinski, Simpson
Assists – Hextall, Jardine, Rucinski, Simpson