USHL Youngstown Phantoms

Countdown To Puck Drop: Vs. Chicago

Published on December 3, 2009 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Youngstown Phantoms News Release


The Youngstown Phantoms, hungry for their first win since Nov. 14, look to make the visiting Chicago Steel their entr=C3(c)e in the first of two games between these East Division brethren this weekend. This is already the teams' third meeting of the season, with Youngstown claiming a come-from-behind 5-3 decision Oct. 11 in Bensenville, Ill., followed by a 7-6 overtime win 20 days ago at the Covelli Centre triggered by F Tom Serratore's sudden-death strike.

The Phantoms (8-8-218 pts, 5th in East) are currently stuck in neutral after going winless in their last four (0-3-1), matching a season-high, but perhaps playing an East club will provide the ignition they're looking for. Youngstown has only played five of 18 games within its division but has a 3-2 record in those contests built on wins over Chicago (two) and Green Bay, both in playoff position.

Since falling in Youngstown Nov. 14, the Steel (10-7-323 pts, T-2nd in East) have stagnated a bit, turning in a 2-3-1 record which includes a pair of shutout losses and a 2-1 OT letdown at Green Bay the day before Thanksgiving. During that stretch the fourth-best offense in the USHL (3.70 goals per game) has only tallied 14 times in six games for a 2.33 average.

PHANTOM PHACTS

- Led by F Nick Czinder and his remarkable.471 shooting percentage (eight goals / 17 shots) the Phantoms are averaging a goal scored per every 6.88 shots, making them the USHL's most efficient team (.145). Gaining on Czinder is F Brian Dowd, who has scored in a team-high three straight games and is third in the league with a.292 shooting success rate.

- Since its first-ever shutout loss Nov. 20 at Sioux Falls, Youngstown has scored eight goals in its last three games, all from the sticks of a trio of torrid shooters. First-year D Luke Eibler and Dowd lead the way with three apiece and Czinder has picked up the other two. Czinder (8 G) and Dowd (7) are closing on F Brett Gensler (9) for the title of the team's top sniper.

- Two-goal games by Czinder and Serratore helped the Phantoms to the 7-6 triumph over Chicago Nov. 14. D David Donnellan constructed a career night, scoring his first USHL goal (shorthanded) in his 69th Tier I game and added a pair of assists. F Taylor Holstrom (3 A) and F Jefferson Dahl (2 A) also wrote their names multiple times on the scoresheet.

STEEL cage match

- F Mark Anthoine (14 G) is tied at the top of the USHL's goal-scoring list with Omaha's Matt White. The lad from Lewiston (Maine), the chief finisher on the Chicago club, is tied for first on his club in points (23) with F Andrei Kuchin (5 G, 18 A) and F Sahir Gill (6 G, 17 A), who are fourth and fifth, respectively, in the league in assists.

- Rounding out the Steel's first-tier scorers is F Greg Wolfe, with his 10 goals, 11 assists and team-best +11 rating, suggesting a finely-tuned defensive conscience. Chicago also boasts as strong a supporting cast as any in the league, with F Alex Krushelnyski (16 points), F Jake Chelios (14) and F Alex Carpenter (11) making up the second tier.

- Two was the magic number for Chicago in its previous trip to Youngstown, as D Mark Adams scored twice on the power play, the team tallied a pair of shorthanded goals early in the second period and built two separate two-goal leads. Of course, the Steel were trumped by a different kind of deuce in OT - Serratore's second of the game that won it for the home side.

Upcoming home games at the covelli Centre...

Friday at 7:15 p.m. vs. Chicago - Pheed the Valley / Join the Phantoms and WFMJ-TV in donating to Second Harvest Food Bank. Bring a non-perishable food item and receive a half-priced ticket; donate five and get both a half-priced ticket AND a free ticket to a future game!

Saturday at 7:15 p.m. vs. Chicago - Toys for Tots Night & Teddy Bear Toss / WYTV-TV combines with the Marines' Toys for Tots program on this special night. Bring a new, unwrapped toy and receive a half-priced ticket. Also, you can again purchase a $5 teddy bear to throw on the ice after the Phantoms score their first goal - proceeds go to Toys for Tots. Help us cover the ice!

Thursday, December 10 at 7:15 p.m. vs. Indiana - Phantoms Furry Friends Night / Bring any pet care product to the Covelli Centre and receive a half-priced ticket! Visit www.angelsforanimals.org to ensure $3 from your ticket goes to Angels for Animals, which provides education and solutions to pet overpopulation in our region. Be on the lookout for special furry guests throughout the night!

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. Catch Phantoms Phever Tuesdays at 6 p.m. on Youngstown's ESPN Radio 1240 AM and online at www.wbbw.com!

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.

Check out the Youngstown Phantoms Statistics

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United States Hockey League Stories from December 3, 2009


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