Staff photo / Brian Yauger Phantoms forward Peter Cisar looks toward the net during the second period of Saturday's game.

YOUNGSTOWN — It would be hard to script a worse start for the Youngstown Phantoms on Saturday. With three goals on the scoreboard against them before they even registered a shot on net in their favor, the Phantoms had quite a hole to dig out of.

The Phantoms dug themselves out of that hole, scoring five unanswered to take down Fargo, 5-3, and sweep the weekend series.

A big part of that came from forward Michael Mesic, capping off the weekend with a hat trick performance. Mesic finished the weekend with five goals in two games.

“At the end of the day, those things happened. There was never a moment where our team was deflated or I felt that we weren’t going to win the game,” Phantoms coach Ryan Ward said. “I thought the guys did a great job staying focused and just sticking with it. Mesic had a huge night getting us going on the power play, but overall, I thought it was a good effort, and a great weekend. The league’s real good right now, and every single point matters, so I’m proud of the guys for gutting it out.”

After surrendering three goals in the first seven minutes of the game, the Phantoms swapped netminders, bringing in Owen Lepak off the bench.

Getting thrust into the net with barely a minute to gather yourself is a tough ask for any goaltender, but Lepak handled it well, stopping 21 of 21 shots that he faced.

“It’s a little (nerve-wracking), like the butterflies definitely started coming when you step out there,” Lepak said. “My eyes have to adjust, and you just have to take it in and breathe, so it’s a battle out there. … I love getting in the net. I’d rather be in the net than on the bench, so I just gotta let my body take over and just quit the thinking.”

It didn’t hurt that the Phantoms started finding the back of the net either.

Mesic continued his hot streak, finding the back of the net twice in the opening period. Kade Stengrim also scored in the first, completely erasing the three-goal deficit before the Phantoms returned to the locker room.

“We just wanted to chip away at that point,” Ward said. “We always say ‘Tie or better after one and we have a chance,’ so it was a new lease on life and I think the guys took advantage of it.”

After a scoreless middle frame, Landan Resendes potted what would be the game-winner six minutes into the third period. Resendes missed Friday’s game due to a personal matter.

“He flew in from Massachusetts last night, and family’s most important. Obviously all of us have his back here and we support him, and we wanted to make sure that he knew that,” Ward said. “I think the boys dug a little bit deeper to get this one for (Resendes), so it was good, and obviously scoring the game-winner is some poetic justice.”

Mesic tapped in the empty-netter to ice the game and secure the hat trick.

His season has been one to remember. Returning from college, Mesic wanted a chance to be “the guy” for a team, and he has run with the opportunity in Youngstown.

“Mesic has been awesome,” Ward said. “He hit a point in the season where he flipped the switch a little bit and became a little pro and he works hard every day. His preparation is second to none and he’s done a great job. He’s been a great shot in the arm for us, a great veteran presence, a great locker room guy, and we’re happy to have him as a Phantom.”

In the heated Eastern Conference playoff race, the Phantoms end the weekend in a solid position. Both Youngstown and Dubuque have 77 standings points, Muskegon has 76 and Madison leads with 80. The top two seeds get home ice advantage, and teams are scrambling to get those spots.

The Phantoms (38-18-0-1) are back at the Covelli Centre next weekend, hosting Waterloo on Friday, then Chicago on Saturday and Sunday. Puck drop on Friday is set for 7:05 p.m.