Staff photo / Brian Yauger Phantoms forward Michael Mesic, left, collides with Fargo’s Mason West in the offensive zone during Friday’s game at Covelli Centre. Mesic had two goals in the win.

YOUNGSTOWN — After taking 3-of-4 on a two-week road trip, the Youngstown Phantoms returned to the Covelli Centre in a big way.

In Fargo’s first trip to Youngstown since the 2023 Clark Cup Finals, the Phantoms achieved a similar result, downing the Force 6-1.

Three of those goals came in the third period where the Phantoms hit a different gear than they had for the other 40 minutes.

“We were moving our feet. We were on top of them. Our (defensemen) were on the wall, as we were getting in sets quick,” Phantoms coach Ryan Ward said. “We were playing fast and we were punching pucks north and using the walls and then putting pucks into space where you can kind of open it up and get onto it. We were winning loose puck recoveries and were all in on the forecheck. That’s a typical period of how we play hockey and that we need to bottle that up.”

Physicality was the name of the game early as both teams came out of the gate eager to set the tone.

“I think it’s Friday, we’re back home in Gritty City and the fellas want to give the fans what they want to see,” Ward said. “I think the boys enjoy that, and you know me. We’re a much better team when we play with passion and emotion.”

Captain Coleson Hanrahan got things started for the Phantoms on Friday, threading the needle through a sea of bodies to put the Phantoms up early.

Ryan Rucinski added to that with a goal of his own less than a minute later.

The Force started gelling following the second goal, getting into the offensive zone and forcing Melvin Strahl to make multiple highlight-reel saves.

In his return to Youngstown following a February trade, forward Kuzma Voronin scored Fargo’s lone goal.

After getting hemmed in the defensive zone by a relentless Fargo attack, the Phantoms broke out and made the most of the opportunity.

A pass from Jamison Sluys found the stick of Michael Mesic, who put it home and added to the Phantoms’ lead, turning what could have been a tied game into a 3-1 lead that Youngstown wouldn’t surrender.

“It’s massive for us,” said of Sluys’ play. “That third goal, you’re up one, and we get hemmed in our zone for about 8 minutes and 30 seconds, and then (Sluys) comes down and makes an unbelievable play and makes it 3-1. That’s really deflating for the other team. I thought that was a big moment and (Sluys) is getting used to those big moments.”

After that, the goals kept coming.

Brecken Smith, Luke Osburn, and Mesic each scored in the third period.

Smith, who assisted on Rucinski’s goal earlier in the game, finished with a Gordie Howe Hat Trick, ending his night with a fight against Voronin.

“Brecken’s been coming for a long time. His game has been pretty consistent for the last 4 or 5 weeks,” Ward said. “I was happy that Brecken got on the board tonight. Obviously he had a great fight. He had a Gordie Howe Hat Trick so that’s pretty cool for him. That should breed some confidence into his game.”

The Phantoms (37-18-0-1, 75 points) look to earn another crucial two points in the hotly-contested Eastern Conference race tonight when they host the Force. Entering Friday’s game, just four standings points separate the Phantoms from conference-leading Dubuque. Puck drop is set for 6:05 p.m.