The Youngstown Phantoms entered Fridays game against Dubuque 4-0-0, and undefeated.  The problem was that the Fighting Saints (3-0-0) also came in unscathed this young USHL season.  Unfortunately for the Youngstown hockey fans, the Phantoms could only get off 13 shots on goal and fell to a very good opponent, 4-1.

Dubuque wasted little time jumping out to a 2-0 lead in the first with less than four minutes played.  Frank DiChiara tallied the first goal for the Fighting Saints.  DiChiara was assisted by John Stevens.  Moments later, Jarrid Privitera claimed the second goal just 1:11 later at the 3:58 mark of the first period.  Peter Quenneville notched an assist on Privitera’s first goal of the season.

Phantoms goaltender Sean Romeo (below) buckled down after the rough start and was able to keep the Fighting Saints off of the scoreboard for the rest of the first period.  Dubuque only took five first period shots, and with two resulting in goals, Romeo held a save percentage of .600 through the first period.

In the second period, Dubuque would add to their lead when Alex Fossen connected with his first goal of the season.  The even-strength goal came with 15:18 left to play in the second period and Eric Freschi and Matt Benning were credited with assists.

The Phantoms showed life when they were able make it 3-1 with 11:13 left in the second.  Mac MacSorley recorded his first point of the season when he beat Dubuque netminder Arthur Brea.  First-year Phantom JJ Piccinich also hit the stat sheet for the first time with an assist.

With about a minute left in the second, Phantoms forward Alfred Larsson  and Dubuque defenseman Brandon Carlson dropped the gloves.  Carlson probably wishes he would have reconsidered as Larsson landed about 15 rights.  Both were sent off of the ice with five minute majors and the second period ended shortly after.

JT Stenglein, serving a league-imposed one game suspension for a punch thrown at Cedar Rapids commented on the positive effect of Larsson’s antics.

“That was Larsson just stepping up and being a leader.  The team was kind of down and he went out there and took on one of their tougher guys and wins his first fight, it will lift the team for the third period”, said Stenglein between periods.

In the third period, the Phantoms did their best to recreate the magic they captured two weeks ago on the opening homestand with two dramatic come-from-behind wins.  Unfortunately, Dubuque was up to the challenge in holding off the Youngstown charge.

DiChiara added an empty-net goal to close the scoring at 4-1.

The story of this game was shots on goal.  The Phantoms only took 13 of them and it seemed like 75% of the third period was played on the wrong third of the ice.