USHL Youngstown Phantoms

Countdown To Puck Drop: Phantoms At Cedar Rapids

Published on February 25, 2010 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Youngstown Phantoms News Release


For the second time in three weeks, the Youngstown Phantoms will face a three-games-in-three-nights gauntlet on the road, this time all within the East Division. The journey begins in Cedar Rapids Friday night before heading north to Waterloo, Iowa and Green Bay, Wisc., the team's final such stretch of the season. The RoughRiders have claimed both meetings in the season series with Youngstown, winning 5-1 Dec. 31 and 3-2 Jan. 23.

Last weekend at Covelli Centre, the Phantoms (15-29-2, 32 points / T-6TH in East) held the powerful Omaha Lancers under their season average for goals per game but only scored twice in dropping a pair of close contests. Youngstown has scored just one goal in eight of nine games this month, with Adam Berkle and Jefferson Dahl leading the charge with three points apiece in February. Brett Gensler ended a 10-game goalless drought Saturday, scoring his 13th.

While the RoughRiders (28-15-3, 59 points / 2ND in East) aren't likely to catch East-leading Green Bay by the end of the season (they're 12 points behind), they've all but locked up their 10th consecutive playoff berth by being 20 points clear of the fifth-place Chicago Steel. Since falling to 12-12-2 with a loss to Team USA Dec. 18, Cedar Rapids is 16-3-3 and is unbeaten in its last 12 games, going 11-0-1 and outscoring its opponents 57-26.

PHANTOM PHACTS

- After giving up a season-high five power play goals Feb. 17 to the Indiana Ice, the Phantoms' penalty-killing unit locked it down last weekend against the USHL's premier man-advantage club. Omaha, converting at a league-best 23.6 percent rate, scored just once on 10 opportunities in two games and is now 1-for-15 on the season vs. Youngstown.

- Twin trips to Cedar Rapids this season have put a pair of hexes on the Phantoms. Prior to the teams' first clash Dec. 31, Youngstown was 13-11-2; the Purple and Orange are 2-18-0 since. Also, after falling in the last minute of regulation Jan. 23, the Phantoms have only scored 14 goals in 11 games for an average of 1.27 per tilt.

- Nine different Phantoms have scored exactly one point against the RoughRiders this season. Tom Serratore, Cody Strang and Gensler have each contributed a goal in two games at "The Stable," while Ryan Jasinsky and Dahl have kicked in an assist each and are +1 versus Cedar Rapids. Goalie Matt Mahalak has stopped 41 of 44 shots for a.936 save percentage.

RIDERS ON THE STORM

- Forward Zach Lehrke (21 goals, 48 points) and defenseman Bryce Aneloski (33 assists, 46 points) rank 12th and 14th, respectively, in the USHL scoring race. Each have 11 points in the RoughRiders' last 10 games, but rookies David Boehm and Cason Hohmann (No. 2 pick in last year's Futures Draft) have been hotter during that period, depositing 14 and 13 points, respectively.

- Cedar Rapids is one of the more dangerous offensive teams in the USHL with its 3.65 goals per contest, 5th best on the circuit. Besides Lehrke and Aneloski, the latter of which leads all league defensemen in points, Jeff Costello is another key cog in the RoughRiders' machine, posting team-high marks in goals (24), plus-minus (+20) and penalty minutes with 122, the most in the league for a non-Phantom.

- Blueliner Jared Beers has been the most prolific RoughRider in the season series, putting up three assists as well as a +3 rating. Eric Robinson is Cedar Rapids' leading sniper vs. Youngstown with a pair of red lights in two games. Goalies Troy Grosenick and Cody Campbell have each earned a win over the Phantoms, with Grosenick stopping 19 of 20 on New Year's Eve.

UPCOMING PHANTOMS GAMES (ALL TIMES EASTERN)

Friday, February 26 at 8:05 p.m. @ CEDAR RAPIDS

Saturday, February 27 at 8:05 p.m. @ WATERLOO

Sunday, February 28 at 4:05 p.m. @ GREEN BAY

Friday, March 5 at 8:05 p.m. @ TRI-CITY

Saturday, March 6 at 8:05 p.m. @ TRI-CITY

CATCH PHANTOMS PHEVER!

"Phantoms Phever" 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! 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 February 25, 2010


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