Staff photo / Brian Yauger Phantoms forward Grant Young carries the puck into the offensive zone during Saturday's game against Lincoln.

YOUNGSTOWN — The Youngstown Phantoms had a hot start, but were outdueled on Saturday, falling to the Western Conference-leading Lincoln Stars, 3-2.

“I thought we got off to a great start,” Phantoms coach Ryan Ward said. “Obviously, (Ryan) Rusinski hit a post, and I thought we did a lot of good things — a lot of good things to build on, and I’m happy with our guys’ effort. I’m happy with our start. We made a couple mistakes from young players that will get fixed, but I’m encouraged. If that’s the best team in the West, I think we’re all right.”

That hot start came from forward Michael Mesic, scoring his second goal of the year a mere 24 seconds into the game.

Unfortunately for Youngstown, the Stars scored the next three goals.

Just a few minutes after Mesic’s opener, Lefty Markonidis knotted the game back up, and the teams traded chances throughout the opening period.

Jack Pechar and Blake Montgomery filled the net in the second period for Lincoln.

Defenseman Conner de Haro sparked the Phantoms’ comeback hopes with a goal kicking off the third period, and a stellar save by Owen Lepak on a 2-on-0 breakaway kept the deficit to a single goal, but the team was unable to convert on those chances and force overtime.

The Phantoms had quality opportunities on Saturday, including a breakaway chance from Mikey Burchill made possible by a cross-ice pass from defenseman Luke Osburn.

Osburn, a Buffalo Sabres draft selection, has shaped up to be one of the team’s top defensemen early through the year, and is only expected to contribute more and more as the year goes.

“He’s been a horse,” Ward said. “He plays huge minutes. Offensively, defensively, special teams. His growth — like that kid’s gonna be an NHL player for a long time. He’s done a great job. He’s becoming a real leader and a little more vocal kind of growing into his personality. Luke has been great.”

While scoring has been an issue for the Phantoms so far this season — they’ve averaged only two goals per game — it’s not something Ward is worried about. In Ward’s time at the helm in Youngstown, slow starts to the season have not lasted long.

“We’ve had some chances,” the third-year coach said. “Last night, we hit four posts. Like today, we missed two breakaways. You just keep going and those go in. It’s very similar to a couple years ago when we obviously started off slow. I’m not concerned about this team scoring goals.”

Youngstown (3-5-0-0) looks to get back in the win column next weekend when they host Sioux City on Friday and Saturday. Friday’s game starts at 7:05 p.m. at the Covelli Centre, and on Saturday, puck drop is set for 6:05 p.m.