Phantoms’ streak snapped with 5-1 loss to Fighting Saints - 21 News Now, More Local News for Youngstown, Ohio -

DUBUQUE, Iowa – Thirteen days after their last game, the Youngstown Phantoms struggled to find their footing Friday night against the Dubuque Fighting Saints. The United States Hockey League's top-ranked team potted a pair in the first and went on the down Youngstown 5-1.

Alexander Dahl scored the lone goal for the Phantoms (9-12-0, 18 points), who saw their winning streak snapped at four games. Goaltender Sean Romeo surrendered five goals on 38 shots for his first loss in nearly three weeks. The two teams will face off again Saturday night at Mystique Community Ice Center.

Eric Freschi put the Fighting Saints (18-3-1, 37 points) in front 6:31 into the contest when Mike Szmatula skated into the Phantoms' zone and dropped a pass for him in the slot. Evan Janssen gave Dubuque a two-goal cushion with 5:51 remaining in the period when he jumped on a rebound.

The Fighting Saints stretched their lead to three before the second period was five minutes old when Seamus Malone followed up on Frankie DiChiara's unsuccessful breakaway attempt and poked the puck out of Romeo's glove and in the net.

The Phantoms followed that up with a goal of their own less than three minutes later. Dahl poked the puck off Dubuque defenseman Keegan Ford's stick at center ice and the Captain led 2-on-0 rush with John Padulo. The pair did a give-and-go and Dahl flung a wrist shot high on Arthur Brey for his fifth goal of the season.

But, John Stevens regained the three-goal cushion for the Fighting Saints when he put in a rebound on the power play with 3:04 left in the period. Malone closed out the scoring for with his second of the night at the 5:18 mark in the third.

Phantoms by the Numbers

Shots – 18

Saves – 31

Power Play – 0-for-5

Penalty Kill – 1-for-2

Goals – Dahl

Assists – Padulo