NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, CFL stats



Youngstown Phantoms

Phantoms Prep for 3-In-3 on the Road

January 19, 2012 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Youngstown Phantoms News Release


YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - After dropping consecutive home games last weekend - and three straight overall - for the first time this season, many of the Youngstown Phantoms returned to practice on Monday expecting a shake up.

But there was anything but fire and brimstone from Head Coach Anthony Noreen.

"I'm going to be me and our staff is going to be the same, whether we win 10 games in a row or lose 10 games in a row," Noreen said. "Thankfully at this point, this is really the first losing streak that we've really had.

"We're not going to worry about what happened last weekend. We're going to try to get better and worry about this weekend coming up. Hopefully our attitude carries over to [the team]."

Noreen will have the chance to see how much weight that message carries this weekend when the Phantoms (18-11-2, fourth East) hit the road for three games in as many days. They will face the Buccaneers in Des Moines, Iowa, on Friday and Saturday before trekking east to take on the Steel Sunday in Chicago.

Friday and Saturday's games at Buccaneer Arena are 8:05 p.m. EST puck drops while Sunday's game at The Edge Ice Arena is a 4:05 p.m. EST matinee.

Life on the road has not exactly been kind to the Phantoms, who have a .500 record away from the Covelli Centre, but Noreen said he sees the three-game, 1,500-mile trip as something to rally around.

"It's kind of us against the world," Noreen said. "It's a tough situation for three games, and we're a little banged up injury-wise. This will test our true character - what we're made of as a team - and it could be a good thing to help us get back on track."

One positive factor the Phantoms will have going for them is familiarity with their opponents. They have faced the Buccaneers (12-14-3, fifth West) and Steel (9-21-1, seventh East) a combined six times already this season - all wins for the Phantoms. They have outscored their opponents 26-9 in those victories, paced by first-year center Austin Cangelosi, who has six goals and six assists for 12 points in all contests.

Friday and Saturday will mark the Phantoms' second visit to Des Moines this season, and Noreen said that he once again expects a playoff atmosphere in Buccaneer Arena.

"There's probably not a rink in our league that's tougher to go and play in than Des Moines," he said. "To go in one night, let alone two, is going to be a huge test."

And although the Phantoms have won both of their trips to Chicago - a 3-0 shutout on Oct. 7 and a 4-1 victory on Nov. 18 - Noreen said the scores were not necessarily indicative of what went down on the ice.

"We thought last time we went into their rink, they outplayed us," he said of the 4-1 Phantoms' win.

Noreen said the fact that the Buccaneers and Steel play such similar, aggressive and up-tempo style to the Phantoms, will also make the task of capturing six points on the weekend that much harder.

"It's a test of us getting back to our roots," Noreen said. "Let's see just how tough we are and how hard we truly play."

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 .

Check out the Youngstown Phantoms Statistics

• Discuss this story on the United States Hockey League message board...

United States Hockey League Stories from January 19, 2012


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Youngstown Phantoms Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central