YOUNGSTOWN — Youngstown forward Grant Young scored his first USHL hat trick to help the Phantoms earn a weekend sweep in a 5-3 victory over Cedar Rapids.

The Phantoms responded from an early 2-0 deficit to get the win.

“I thought our guys did a good job of staying focused and finding a way. The biggest thing for us was two points tonight,” Phantoms coach Ryan Ward said. “I thought both games at home here this weekend, we had great crowds. It was loud, and our guys did a great job. I think our special teams came through, obviously gave up a five-on-three goal, but at the end of the day, I was happy with our penalty kill.

“Our powerplay is starting to come and that’s a good sign, but overall, it was a great effort. To have the young, young team that we have and then find a way to win at home here after a tough loss on Thursday was inspiring and I think the guys did a great job.”

Cedar Rapids wasted no time establishing a lead, scoring two quick goals in the opening period.

Rough Riders defensemen Erik Kald and Elliott Groenewold were credited for filling the net.

The Phantoms were able to cut into that lead before the break however, as Sam Ranallo connected with twine to get on the board.

Ranallo’s first period goal was met with a flurry of teddy bears raining down on the ice for the team’s teddy bear toss night.

“(Kuzma Voronin) had it on the wing and (Conner) de Haro drove the middle and then made a really great play to me on the back door,” Ranallo said. “Just a textbook 3-on-2 which we work on every day. … I was licking my chops and I was able to bury it, so it felt good.”

A single power play in the second period turned a Phantoms deficit into a lead.

With four minutes of power play time due to a high-sticking double minor, the Phantoms had an opportunity to turn things around quickly.

Just 31 seconds apart, the Phantoms erased that deficit with Young and Voronin each finding the back of the net.

The Rough Riders weren’t going away easily however, with Kald knotting the game back up at 3-all midway through the third.

Right after Cedar Rapids’ equalizer, the Phantoms responded to retake the lead. Young, the Harvard commit, scored his second of the night, putting away a Brecken Smith shot.

With four seconds remaining on the clock, Young snuck the puck into an empty net to ice the game.

“(Young) is a kid that works extremely hard. He cares about hockey,” Ward said. “Young actually lived in my basement in his U15 year, so I know him pretty well. It’s good to see him have success. He works real hard. He’s doing a good job. He buys in. He’s a young player, his first year in the league, and I thought tonight he got rewarded in the hard areas and that’s not easy to do for a guy that is a rookie and is a smaller guy. He’s still growing and going through puberty and all that stuff. I think to see him get rewarded was good.”

CENTURY MARK

Saturday’s game marks Ward’s 100th game at the helm of the Phantoms program, as well as the 100th game for assistant coach Brandon Dennis, athletic trainer Amber Martinelli, equipment manager Steven Smith, goalie coach Neil Conway, and strength and conditioning coach Tommy Malloy.

Ward joins Brad Patterson (head coach 2016-2022) and Anthony Noreen (head coach 2011-2015) as the third Phantoms coach to reach the milestone.

“It feels good to be in one spot for more than a year. This organization, for the rest of my life will be something special,” Ward said. “Youngstown is now our home and obviously I’m here for the next five, so hopefully we get way more than 100, but the first 100 have gone better than I thought. I’ve been fortunate to meet unbelievable people and I love this city. My family loves this city. We’ve had some good success and I can’t wait for the next 100.”

NEW THREADS

The Phantoms debuted new jerseys for Friday’s game against Cedar Rapids. After primarily wearing black, gray, and white jerseys for the last two seasons, the Phantoms are back in purple uniforms with silver and orange detailing.

UP NEXT

The Phantoms (22-11-4-1, 49 points) are on the road each of the next two weekends. The first series is a two-game set with rival Muskegon, then the week after the Phantoms take on Madison on Friday and Saturday, capping off the weekend at Waterloo.

Youngstown returns home on Feb. 23 when they host Chicago for a two-game series.

byauger@tribtoday.com