Staff photo / Brian Yauger. Phantoms forward Landen Resendes is shoved along the wall by Muskegon’s Xavier Veilleux during the second period of Sunday’s game against the Lumberjacks.

YOUNGSTOWN — The Youngstown Phantoms hoped Saturday’s big third period would spark momentum heading into Sunday’s Game 2 against Muskegon.

A quick goal from Youngstown was undone, and unfortunately for the Phantoms, Muskegon had an answer for what was thrown at them, as the Lumberjacks left Youngstown with a pair of wins after downing the Phantoms 6-2 on Easter Sunday at the Covelli Centre.

Brecken Smith gave the Phantoms the early edge, beating out Muskegon goaltender Stephen Peck in front of the net.

But it didn’t last long as the Lumberjacks pushed back, scoring twice in the opening period.

David Deputy scored just two minutes after Smith, then Tynan Lawrence matched it with a goal of his own toward the end of the period.

Muskegon tacked on another to start the second, with Deputy connecting with the back of the net once more for his second of the night and fourth of the postseason.

Luke Osburn gave the Phantoms a jolt in the second, cutting into the Muskegon lead with a perfectly-placed wrister.

But every Phantoms’ momentum shift was stifled by the Lumberjacks, this time off a power play goal by Jack Galanek that put Muskegon up 4-2.

That lead was further extended when Jack Christ beat out Phantoms netminder Melvin Strahl to make it 5-2 in favor of Muskegon.

Strahl headed to the bench with just under five minutes remaining to give the Phantoms the extra man, but Christ filled the empty net for the Lumberjacks, all but officially sealing the Phantoms’ fate on Sunday.

With their backs against the wall, the Phantoms hit the road to take on Muskegon in their barn on Tuesday for a do-or-die showdown.