USHL Youngstown Phantoms

Phantoms Ring in 2012 with Second-Place Batte in Indy

Published on December 29, 2011 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Youngstown Phantoms News Release


INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - The Youngstown Phantoms wrap up their longest road swing of the season, along with the 2011 calendar year, this weekend when they take on the Indiana Ice in a battle for second place in United States Hockey League Eastern Conference.

The Ice (15-7-4, T-second East) host the Phantoms (16-6-2, T-second East) Friday at 7:05 p.m. EST at their home Pepsi Coliseum. Then on Saturday, the two teams will face off at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, home of the NBA's Indiana Pacers, at 6:05 p.m. EST for a New Years Eve showcase.

"It's kind of a different atmosphere [at Bankers Life Fieldhouse]," said Jason Burkman, vice president of media and hockey services for the Ice. "It's a bigger NBA or NHL-type atmosphere."

With second place on the line in the in the two-game series, each point matters. But Phantoms Head Coach Anthony Noreen said that he is not concerned with the standings - he's more focused on ensuring his team replicates its success on the road from prior to the holiday break.

"We're going to be beat up playing three games in four days, but just like we did in Green Bay and Des Moines, we want to look at it like a playoff series," Noreen said. "[Winning on the road] is something we're going to have to overcome. We need to become confident that it's something we can do moving forward."

When the teams met in the Covelli Centre back on Nov. 5, the game was played with the intensity of a playoff game. The Ice got a late third period goal from Robbie Baillargeon to force overtime, but Mike Ambrosia netted the game-winner in a shootout to propel the Phantoms to the 4-3 win.

Ambrosia, who enters the weekend series with 10 points in his last five games, and the rest of the Phantoms shut down Indiana's leading scorer Daniil Tarasov that night, but they will have their hands full with the high-powered Ice forwards this weekend. Indiana has three players - Tarasov, Sean Kuraly and Jacob Fallon - in the top 10 in the league scoring, and the Ice have scored the second-most goals in the league (93). They also own the USHL's most dangerous power play, converting on 30.53 percent of their chances.

"They're a team where, if you get away from your system or try to cut corners, they can get up on you by three or four right away," Noreen said. "We need to play disciplined and we need to keep them off the power play... But really we need to focus on what we do. If we play our game, we feel it'll give us a chance to win against any team in the league."

For a limited time four purple level Phantoms ticket vouchers along with a Phantoms T-Shirt are available for low price of just $20, but hurry this deal ends at the year's end! Call the Phantoms office at 330.747.7825 for more information or to place an order.

Single game tickets for the 2011-12 season are on sale now. Season ticket and flex plans start at the low price of just $90. Call the Phantoms office today at 330.747.7825 for more information or to make a reservation today! For a complete Phantoms schedule, visit www.youngstownphantoms.com .

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United States Hockey League Stories from December 29, 2011


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