Staff photo / Brian Yauger Youngstown Phantoms forward Ryan Rucinski skates toward the net on a 2-on-1 during the second period of Friday’s playoff game against Madison at Covelli Centre.

YOUNGSTOWN — The Youngstown Phantoms were aggressive in the offensive zone, but were held off the scoreboard for over 57 minutes. Despite a late push, the Phantoms fell short in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, falling to the Madison Capitols 2-1 at Covelli Centre.

“It was obviously a tight-checking game, playoff hockey,” Phantoms coach Ryan Ward said. “I thought we started a little slow, which we have to have better starts than that. I thought in the second, third, we were way better. Their goalie made some big saves. I think it’s a series for a reason, and we’ve got to come out tomorrow and do our jobs.”

Madison forward Tyden Bergeson struck first, going blocker-side on Tobias Trejbal to give the Capitols a 1-0 lead early in the game.

Despite multiple opportunities, the Phantoms couldn’t get on the board in the first period and went into the locker room trailing.

More opportunities came in the second period, but the Phantoms came up empty once again after some stellar saves by Madison’s Caleb Heil.

The Phantoms upped the pressure into the third, but continued to get stonewalled by Heil.

A deflected shot on the other end led to a breakaway opportunity for Madison, where Bergeson scored his second of the night to extend the Capitols’ lead.

As the minutes ticked down, the Phantoms continued to apply pressure on Madison, but Heil absorbed every shot that came his way. The shots he didn’t save himself, bounced off the crossbar.

Relief finally came for the Phantoms with two-and-a-half minutes remaining in the contest. Cooper Simpson took advantage of a netfront scrum and forced the puck through, giving Youngstown new life.

The Phantoms weren’t able to find the game-tying goal, however, and went down 1-0 in the series.

Youngstown outshot the Capitols 33-17 on Friday.

“I thought we were just a little tentative to start, and I think in the second and third, we kind of played a little more downhill,” Ward said. “At the end of the day, we learn from it, short memories, and off we go.”

Game 2 of the series is scheduled for tonight at the Covelli Centre. Puck drop is set for 6:05 p.m.

ANOTHER ACCOLADE FOR COOP

On Friday, the USHL announced its finalists for the league’s Player of the Year award.

Simpson, Lincoln Stars forward Alex Pelletier and Des Moines Buccaneers forward Ryan Seelinger are up for the award.

Simpson made his full-time debut in the USHL this season after a nine-game stint with the Tri-City Storm last year. Simpson was the league’s second-leading scorer during the regular season, finishing with 74 points (34 goals, 40 assists).