INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana – The Youngstown Phantoms (5-8-1,11pts) won the final game of their four game road trip 6-3 over the Indiana Ice (4-6-1,9pts). Phantoms forward Ryan Belonger recorded two goals giving him five points in his last four games, Ty Loney added three assists in his first game back since October 21 and Cody Strang added two goals and an assist in the dominating performance over Indiana. Five other Phantoms recorded a multi-point game against the Ice.

The Ice put the Phantoms down by a goal early as Brian Ferlin put a wrist shot over the shoulder of Youngstown goaltender Matt O'Connor at the 1:01 mark of the first. At 16:15 of the first the Ice jumped out to a two goal lead off the stick of Daniil Tarasov who beat O'Connor on the glove side from the far face-off circle. Less than a minute later Phantoms defenseman Kevin Liss, in his first game of the season, dropped the gloves with Christian Hilbrich after some pushing and shoving in front of the Phantoms net. Even though the Phantoms trailed by two heading into the second they outshot the Ice 10-8 in the first period.

The Phantoms were quick to respond in the second period as they forced a turnover in the offensive zone that led to their first goal of the game. Phantoms forward Stu Higgins fed Belonger in front of the net for a one time shot that pulled the Phantoms within one only 2 minutes and 43 seconds into the period. At the ten minute mark the Phantoms tied the game on a deflection goal by Higgins, his second point of the game. Defenseman Brandon Russo took the slap shot from the point and was credited with the primary assist while Adam Berkle was given the secondary assist. The Phantoms struck again at the 17:51 mark to take a 3-2 lead over the Ice. The Phantoms Jiri Sekac gained control in the offensive zone as he found Loney along the near boards. Loney fed Strang in the slot as he scored to give the Phantoms a one goal lead. The Phantoms again outshot the ice, 17-11, giving them a two period total of 27 while the Ice had a two period total of 19.

The Loney, Strang and Sekac line struck again for the Phantoms as they jumped out to a two goal lead a minute into the third period. Strang sent a stretch pass into the neutral zone that put Loney and Sekac into Ice territory on a two-on-one. Loney fed Sekac on the near side as he beat Ice netminder Jon Gillies for the Phantoms fourth goal of the game. The Phantoms scored on the power play at the eight minute mark as Belonger put a pass from Berkle in the back of the net to extend the Phantoms lead to three; the assist was Berkle's second of the game. Russo was credited with the secondary assist, his second assist of the game. The Ice climbed back within two goals as Adam Erne beat O'Connor at the 9:02 mark of the third. The Phantoms took back the three goal lead on a goal from Strang. Strang's second goal of the game was assisted by Loney. The final shot totals went in favor of the Ice as they outshot the Phantom 38-35, but O'Connor was up to the challenge as the Phantoms picked up the 6-3 victory. The Loney, Strang and Sekac line took part in three Phantoms' goals and they tallied a combined eight points in the win.

"This was a line we had together at the start of the season," said Head Coach Curtis Carr. "All three guys are very good, smart and creative forwards who work really well together."

According to Carr, the decision not to rush Loney back from injury paid huge dividends for the Phantoms in the victory over Indiana.

"It's great to get Ty back," said Carr. "He is a big part of our team offensively but he is even bigger in the locker room. He is a great character guy and for him to pick up three points was big."