USHL Youngstown Phantoms

Countdown To Puck Drop: Phantoms At Tri-City

Published on March 4, 2010 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Youngstown Phantoms News Release


Nearly five months have passed since the last time these teams met, but the Youngstown Phantoms surely haven't forgotten how the Tri-City Storm swept them in a late-October two-game series at Covelli Centre, and this weekend they have an opportunity to respond in kind. In the season's first month, defenseman Luke Eibler's two goals weren't enough to squelch the Tri-City attack, led by five points apiece from Jaden Schwartz, the USHL's leading scorer, and Brett Mohler.

The Phantoms (16-31-2, 34 points / 7th in East) are facing the second-longest trip of their season by distance at 1,034 miles (only Fargo was longer - by eight miles) in finishing their season series with the Storm. Youngstown played three road tilts last weekend, beating Waterloo Saturday 6-4 with their largest offensive output in 15 games before Green Bay rallied past them Sunday afternoon. Adam Berkle scored twice against the Gamblers and had four goals on the trip.

Although the Storm (23-20-6, 52 points / 4th in West) are secure in the West Division's fourth and final playoff spot with a 10-point lead over fifth-place Sioux City, they have dropped three straight games in regulation. Anthony DeCenzo and Schwartz each put up two points in last weekend's twinbill against Chicago, but the Steel came back in the third period both nights to rip a pair of wins away from Tri-City at Viaero Events Center.

PHANTOM PHACTS

- When the Phantoms scored power-play goals in back-to-back games last Friday and Saturday, it was the first time they've accomplished the feat since Jan. 18-22 against Team USA (7-3 win) and Cedar Rapids (3-2 loss). Coincidentally, that was also the last time Youngstown netted more than four total goals in back-to-back contests.

- Berkle's three-game goal-scoring streak is the third-longest for the Purple and Orange this season, behind Tom Serratore's four-gamer (12/18-12/31) and Jefferson Dahl's five-game run (12/11-12/29). Berkle's five goals in the month of February have boosted his season total to 13, tied with Serratore and Dahl and just one back of Brett Gensler for the team lead.

- The Phantoms are 12-1-2 when leading after two periods, but their only regulation loss in that situation came courtesy of Tri-City. On Oct. 23, Youngstown held a 3-2 lead on Eibler's late second-period tally, but three unanswered goals by the Storm in the third sent the Phantoms to defeat. In addition to Eibler's pair that night, Rich Young and Berkle have also lit the lamp vs. Tri-City this season.

STORM CHASERS

- After posting a 6-1-1 record in October, the Storm have largely stagnated, turning in a 17-19-5 mark since. Despite the midseason malaise, Tri-City pieced together a five-game winning streak Feb. 5-19, starting with a 3-0 win at Green Bay that ended the Gamblers' own streak, a remarkable 15-gamer. A 4-3 home decision over the league-leading Gamblers finished the run of success, improving Tri-City to a season-best six games over.500.

- The Saskatchewan-native Schwartz has been Mr. Everything for Tri-City this season, with double the points (74) of his nearest teammate (Mohler has 37) and nine more goals (27) than the team's second-best sniper, Slovakia's Radoslav Illo. Schwartz has been especially lethal on the power play, taking advantage with 14 goals (first in the USHL) and 21 assists (second).

- On top of Schwartz and Mohler accumulating five points apiece in the two-game series Oct. 23-24, Illo and Maxwell Tardy each nailed two goals that weekend. Just like the Phantoms, the Storm have used just two goalies all season; both Carsen Chubak and Steven Bolton have picked up a win vs. Youngstown, with Bolton stopping 31 of 32 shots Oct. 24 in a 3-1 victory.

UPCOMING PHANTOMS GAMES (ALL TIMES EASTERN)

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

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

Friday, March 12 at 7:15 p.m. vs. SIOUX CITY / Bargain Beer Night - Enjoy $1 beers all night long! Take advantage of the Phantoms' Family Four Pack offer: four tickets for just $20. Also, team logo folders will be given out to the first 500 kids through the gates.

Saturday, March 13 at 7:15 p.m. vs. SIOUX CITY / Go Green at the Rink - Phantoms fans who bring five aluminum beverage cans to Covelli Centre will receive a half-priced ticket! Bring in 12 cans and get five chances to win an aluminum track bicycle; recycling drive and contest presented by Novelis.

Check out the Youngstown Phantoms Statistics

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United States Hockey League Stories from March 4, 2010


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