Staff photo / Brian Yauger Youngstown Phantoms forward Adam Benak looks for an open man while in the attacking zone during Saturday's victory. Benak recorded two assists in the win.

YOUNGSTOWN — Even though they won Friday’s contest against the US National Team Development Program, the Youngstown Phantoms still wanted more from themselves.

They got that on Saturday, stifling the U18s, 4-2.

“I thought we played much better tonight,” Phantoms coach Ryan Ward said. “A couple of small mishaps on the (penalty) kill, but overall, I thought 5-on-5 we didn’t give up a whole lot. We didn’t spend a lot of time in our (defensive) zone. I thought the power play, we had enough of them, got us a couple big goals there. We played a good team game, 60 minutes. Tough to get into a flow with all the penalties, but proud of the guys. It was a great weekend. We needed it. Hopefully that can jump start us a little bit.”

Team USA found the back of the net first however, with Charlie Trethewey getting the opening goal.

Youngstown found a way to respond however, much to the delight of the teddy bear-wielding crowd.

Defenseman Jack Willson’s first-period goal not only tied the game, but ignited a downpour of teddy bears that flooded the ice for the team’s annual Teddy Bear Toss.

“It was actually a 3-on-2. Me and (Adam) Benak. Great player, knows how to find guys. He was able to find me,” Willson said. “I broke away and shot at the hash marks and it was able to go in.”

The U18s responded, with Jake Stuart getting the go-ahead goal, but they wouldn’t find the back of the net again on Saturday.

Jamison Sluys continued his dominant year in Youngstown connecting with the back of the net off a one-timer only a minute after the Team USA goal.

Sluys was skating backwards toward the goal line, and Benak set him up to re-tie the game at two.

A wonky angle — one that most players wouldn’t attempt a shot from — but it went in.

“Funny enough. Me and (Michael) Mesic were talking right before that face off, and we were just like, ‘Yeah, someone’s got to start shooting the puck’, because I mean me, Mesic, and (Benak) all like to make some plays,” Sluys said. “Believe it or not, me and (associate head coach Brandon Gotkin) practice that shot here and there. It was lucky enough to find its way in the net.”

Youngstown controlled the pace in the middle frame, limiting Team USA to just one shot.

The Phantoms matched that one shot with one goal in the period.

With just eight seconds remaining in the second period, Phantoms forward Ryan Rucinski took advantage of the power play just seconds into it.

Willson wasn’t content with just one goal, scoring again in the beginning of the third period to further extend the Phantoms’ lead.

With the win, Youngstown (22-14-0-1) swept the weekend series and the U18s this season.

The Phantoms are away from the Covelli Centre for the next three weekends, as they will travel to Plymouth to take on the U17s, make a trip to Iowa for Des Moines and Waterloo, then they have a twinbill with Chicago. The Phantoms return home on Feb. 21 to take on Muskegon.

Saturday’s win was a good one to take into a long series of road games.

“We’re used to being on the road,” Ward said. “I think we have to probably learn what a good road game is. I think we have to simplify a little bit and I think starting on time is a huge thing when you go on the road, but it’s good. The guys will spend time together, and we’re no stranger to it, so it’d be nice to jump over .500 and stay there on the road. I think we have a good opportunity here coming.”