Staff photo / Brian Yauger Youngstown Phantoms defenseman Jack Willson (3) fires a shot on net during a game against Omaha on Friday at Covelli Centre.

YOUNGSTOWN — The Youngstown Phantoms ran into a hot goaltender, dropping their first contest of the weekend to the Omaha Knights, 4-0.

The Phantoms came out aggressive in the first period, peppering the net with 16 shots on goal, but came up empty.

Despite getting outshot 16-3 in the first period, Omaha got on the board first. Just 50 seconds into the second period, forward Kole Hyles beat out Tobias Trejbal to put the Knights ahead.

It proved to be the story of the night. The Phantoms outshot Omaha considerably, 42-19, but Nils Roberts Maurins had an outstanding game for the Knights, earning the shutout.

Omaha found the back of the net again at the midway point of the period, capitalizing immediately on a power-play opportunity. Yegor Kim was the goalscorer.

Right before the halfway point of the third period, Omaha further extended its lead. This time it was defenseman Ryder Reynolds. Reynolds was assisted by Tanner Morgan, who also assisted on the Knights’ first goal of the evening.

With hopes of coming back, the Phantoms pulled Trejbal with just under seven minutes left. But Lefty Markonidis iced the game for Omaha, scoring on the empty net.

It’s the first time the Phantoms were held off the scoresheet this season.

Phantoms forward Cooper Simpson and defenseman Carter Murphy led the team in shots on goal, each recording seven. Jack Willson put five shots on net.

There was no press conference following Friday’s game.

The Phantoms are back at the Covelli Centre tonight against Omaha. Puck drop is set for 6:05 p.m.

NHL DEBUTS

Youngstown Phantoms alumni Jacob Fowler and Trevor Kuntar both made their NHL debuts on Thursday.

Fowler suited up for the Montreal Canadiens against Pittsburgh, recording 36 saves, boasting a .947 save percentage and earning a 4-2 win over the Penguins.

After signing with the AHL’s Rochester Americans in the offseason and playing just 24 games, Kuntar earned an NHL deal with Rochester’s parent club, the Buffalo Sabres. Kuntar logged five minutes of ice time in his debut against the Vancouver Canucks, a 3-2 victory for Buffalo.

Fowler and Kuntar are the 17th and 18th players who finished their junior careers in Youngstown to suit up in the NHL.