Phantoms Fall, 3-2, in Shootout

Published on March 7, 2026 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Youngstown Phantoms News Release

YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO - The Youngstown Phantoms (37-13-3-2, 79 points) saw their 2-0 first period lead evaporate, but still managed to earn a point, falling to the Madison Capitols 3-2 after Madison won the shootout 2-0 Saturday night at the Covelli Centre.

"I thought we were really good. We were on our toes; I liked our process," said Phantoms Head Coach Ryan Ward. "Our details were good."

Youngstown opened the scoring just past the halfway point of the first period. Jakub Heš made a high-effort play to poke the puck to Jack Willson at the left point. Willson quickly fired to the right point for Cal Huston. Huston eyed the cage and snapped a wrister past Caleb Heil at 11:10 for his second of the season. Evan Jardine put home a rebound at 16:00 for his 22nd of the season, doubling the Phantoms advantage.

Madison took advantage of a lucky bounce early in the second period to get on the board. John Stout 's one-timer from center point hit Eero Butella and ricocheted past Owen Lepak just 1:10 into the period to cut the lead in half. Later in the period, it was Stout again, this time blasting a one-timer from the top of the right circle past Lepak at 12:53 for his second power play goal of the weekend and a tie game.

All was quiet until the shootout, as Heil kept Youngstown off the board, stopping the final 18 shots he saw after the Jardine goal, as well as both shooters in the shootout. Lepak stopped 9-of-11 during the game, but allowed goals to Stout and Butella during the skills competition, giving Madison the extra point.

Youngstown will conclude the home portion of their 2025-26 schedule next weekend with a pair of games against the Dubuque Fighting Saints before starting a season-ending five-game road trip.

BY THE NUMBERS

Shots - 25

Saves - 9

Power Play - 0/2

Penalty Kill - 1/2

Goals - Huston, Jardine

Assists - Heš, Sasaki, Thompson, Willson

BY MATTHEW LIPCSAK

Youngstown Phantoms Head Coach Ryan Ward, Evan Jardine, Lenny Boos, and Ryan Rucinski on game night (Scott Galvin/Scott Galvin Photography)

United States Hockey League Stories from March 7, 2026

• Chicago Impresses in 5-1 Win over Dubuque - Chicago Steel
• Phantoms Fall, 3-2, in Shootout - Youngstown Phantoms
• Saints' Win Streak Ends at Three in Loss to Steel - Dubuque Fighting Saints
• RoughRiders Keep on Scoring - Waterloo Black Hawks
• Stampede Sweep Away Storm in Kearney - Sioux Falls Stampede
• Sioux Falls Uses Trio of Third Period Goals to Beat Tri-City 5-2 on Saturday Night - Tri-City Storm
• Jacks Suffer Saturday Night Loss, 4-2 at the Hands of the Stars - Muskegon Lumberjacks
• Stars Sweep Lumberjacks Saturday - Lincoln Stars
• Timm to Help New Program - Waterloo Black Hawks
• Hinostroza Back to Florida - Waterloo Black Hawks
• Storm Close Two-Game Series with Stampede Saturday Night at Viaero Center - Tri-City Storm

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