Countdown To Puck Drop: Vs. Des Moines
November 6, 2009 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Youngstown Phantoms News Release
Winners of three in a row for the first time this season, the Youngstown Phantoms will host the Des Moines Buccaneers for the second straight night at the Covelli Centre. Last night, the Phantoms posted the franchise's first-ever USHL home victory, as Brett Gensler set up Rich Young for the game-winning goal with 3:15 to play.
The Phantoms (5-4-111 pts, 5th in East) surged to a three-goal second period last night that put them in position for a rousing 4-3 victory. Jefferson Dahl, returning from injury, got Youngstown on the board and was soon followed by Ryan Jasinsky and Nick Czinder to put the down payment on the streaking Phantoms' fifth win, putting them above.500 for the first time since Oct. 17.
Despite getting scores from the previously goal-less trio of Mike Fink, Chris Stafne and Danny Heath, the Buccaneers (4-6-08 pts, T-4th in East) had their two-game winning streak snapped and fell to 1-3-0 on the road. Des Moines has now suffered two of its six defeats at the hands of the Phantoms, as has goalie Charles Williams, who has taken both losses in net.
PHANTOM PHACTS
- The Phantoms' crease-crashing tactics paid great dividends last night, as each of their four goals came from within 15 feet of the goal. Jasinsky and Czinder both buried rebounds from in tight and Dahl and Young benefited from smart centering passes authored by Andrew Lamont and Gensler, respectively.
- Gensler continues to see his name on the scoresheet, as his assist on Young's tally gave him a three-game scoring streak. The second-year forward from St. Charles, Mo., now has his first helper of the campaign to go with his team-leading seven goals. He trails Taylor Holstrom by one point for the top spot on the Phantoms.
- Youngstown earned its first-ever USHL victory Oct. 10 in Des Moines, scoring five times in the opening 28 minutes to pull out a 5-4 result. Jefferson Dahl applied the noose to the Buccaneers in the second period, scoring at even strength and shorthanded 2:39 apart to chase goalie Eric Mihalik and rudely greet his backup Charles Williams.
BUCCANEER BITS
- Despite the loss, Des Moines' highly-ranked penalty-killing unit continued to roll on. The Bucs extinguished three Youngstown power plays last night and have only given up seven PP goals against through ten games, good for an 87 percent success rate that trails only Indiana's 94 percent mark. In three games, Youngstown's power play has gone 1-for-14 vs. Des Moines.
- 10 different Bucs have scored a goal and 14 have registered at least one point in the season series with Youngstown, which ends tonight. Leading the charge against the Phantoms are forward Ryan Walters and defenseman Austin Coldwell, each of whom have two goals and an assist in three contests against their East Division counterparts.
- The Bucs earned their first home win of the campaign Oct. 17 against visiting Youngstown by a 5-3 score. After the Phantoms had rallied from a 3-0 second-period deficit to tie the score heading into the third, Connor Brickley and Ryan Walters each lit the lamp to provide the final margin and send Youngstown to its first road loss.
Upcoming home games at the covelli Centre...
TONIGHT at 7:15 p.m. vs. Des Moines - Bargain Beer Night presented by Back to Health Chiropractic / Enjoy $1 beers all night long! YSU students receive $4 tickets when presenting student ID at Covelli Centre Box Office.
Wednesday, November 11 at 7:15 p.m. vs. Green Bay - Salute Our Troops on Veterans' Day / $3 from each regularly-priced ticket goes to the USO (United Service Organizations) of Northern Ohio! Sign up at the game to send holiday greetings to overseas troops.
Friday, November 13 at 7:15 p.m. vs. Green Bay - Celebrate Friday the 13th / Meet pop star Joey Fatone (N*SYNC, Dancing with the Stars) and celebrity chef Guy Fieri, both of whom will be in the house! Also, the first 2,000 fans through the Covelli Centre gates receive a free Phantoms T-shirt courtesy of Callos.
Saturday, November 14 at 7:15 p.m. vs. Chicago - Luke Holko Fundraiser Night / Help a local child in need and experience the fast-paced action that is Phantoms hockey! $3 from each purchased ticket will go directly to the Luke Holko Fund.
CATCH PHANTOMS PHEVER!
Phantoms Phever, presented by House of Speed, is an hour-long weekly talk show that brings you an inside look at your Youngstown Phantoms. Join Voice of the Phantoms Matt Gajtka at Jeremiah Bullfrog's Sports Bar & Grille on US Route 224 in Boardman as he chats with coaches, players and front office staff about northeast Ohio's most exciting team and the great sport of hockey.
This week's featured guests will be Head Coach/GM Bob Mainhardt, first-year forward Rich Young and Steve Halloran from House of Speed. Catch Phantoms Phever Tuesdays at 6 p.m. on Youngstown's ESPN Radio 1240 AM!
FOLLOW THE PHANTOMS ALL SEASON LONG
ESPN 1240 is also the exclusive radio home for the Youngstown Phantoms! Matt Gajtka has the call from all 60 Phantoms regular season games as they roll through their first-ever campaign in the Tier I United States Hockey League. Hockey nuts outside the listening area can log onto www.wbbw.com to utilize the "Listen Live" feature!
Fans may also purchase the Phantoms season pass at www.b2tv.com to watch and listen via the B2 Networks' multimedia game broadcasts.
Also, make "Youngstown Phantoms" your friend on Facebook and follow "ytownphantoms" on Twitter to stay plugged into the Phantoms 24 hours a day, seven days a week!
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- Countdown To Puck Drop: Vs. Des Moines - Youngstown Phantoms
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