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Phantoms Run out of Puck Luck against Des Moines

September 20, 2012 - United States Hockey League (USHL) Youngstown Phantoms

SIOUX CITY, Iowa - The difference between a win and a loss can be only inches. That is a lesson the Youngstown Phantoms learned the hard way Thursday against the Des Moines Buccaneers.

The Phantoms outshot the Buccaneers 23-15 - and put four pucks off the post - but fell 4-1 in their first game of the USHL Fall Classic. JT Stenglein scored the lone goal for Youngstown and goaltender Jake Moore made 11 saves in the loss.

They will face the Dubuque Fighting Saints Friday at 7 p.m. EST at IBP Ice Center.

"I definitely thought we had enough grade "˜A' chances to him," head coach Anthony Noreen said. "We hit four or five posts. We just need to find a way to put those pucks in the net - bottom line."

Nolan Valleau got the scoring started with a quick wrist shot off a deke that beat Moore glove-side at the 13:14 mark. Tanner Karty put the Bucs up 2-0 with just 32 seconds remaining in the period when he stole the puck and went in on a mini-breakaway.

Valleau tallied his second of the night just 2:27 into the second period, making it 3-0. Stenglein put the Phantoms on the board on a power play midway through the period, ending Des Moines goaltender Bill Christopoulos's bid for a shutout. Daniel Renouf's shot from the point was blocked and ricocheted into the slot. Stenglein picked the puck up and fired a laser through a screen for his first goal of the preseason.

"We haven't had much of a chance to work on the power play in practice, so it was good to see us get some reps, and obviously it was big to get that goal," Noreen said. "Hopefully with the more reps they get, the more comfortable the guys will get."

Sam Anas nearly made it a one-goal game minutes later when he rang a wrist shot off the right post and he put back-hand shot off the some one on his next shift, but to no avail. Then 5:46 into the third period, Trent Samuels-Thomas snuck behind the defense and beat Moore on a breakaway to put the Buccaneers up three and cap the scoring.

"One of the things we talked about is if we're going to make mistakes, let's make aggressive mistakes," Noreen said. "A couple of their goals came as the result of those aggressive mistakes. It's something that will come with maturity and experience."

Phantoms by the Numbers

Shots - 23

Saves - 11

Power Play - 1-for-6 (16.7 percent)

Penalty Kill - 6-for-6 (100 percent)

Goals -- Stenglein

Assists - Renouf

Next on the Slate

The Phantoms will face the Dubuque Fighting Saints Friday for their second game of the USHL Fall Classic. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. EST at the IBP Ice Center and fans can watch all the action on FASTHockey.com.

The Phantoms open the 2012-13 regular season on Friday, Sept. 28 against the Omaha Lancers and Saturday, Sept. 29 against the Des Moines Buccaneers at the Covelli Centre. Great tickets are still available for Opening Weekend and the Phantoms will be holding the first ever Phantom Phest downtown after each game. Fans in attendance either night will receive a coupon booklet filled with exclusive food and beverage specials from downtown's top restaurants and bars. And to top things off, the Phantoms will light up the Youngstown skyline after Saturday's game with a vibrant fireworks show, courtesy of Phantom Fireworks. Call the Phantoms Office at 330.747.PUCK (7825) for more information or to purchase tickets.

Season tickets for the 2012-13 season are on sale now starting at the low price of just $7 a game. Benefits include invitations to exclusive season ticket holder events, discounts at the Phantoms Team Shop, playoff priority and much more. Call 330.747.PUCK (7825) for more information or to reserve seats today. For all the latest news, visit www.YoungstownPhantoms.com, follow the Phantoms on Twitter ( @YtownPhantoms ) and "˜like' them on Facebook ( www.Facebook.com/YoungstownPhantoms ).

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United States Hockey League Stories from September 20, 2012


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