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USHL Youngstown Phantoms

4 Points on the Line this Weekend as Phantoms Make Playoff Push

February 16, 2012 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Youngstown Phantoms News Release


YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - With the season officially past the two-thirds mark, and only three points separating second place and fourth in the United States Hockey League Eastern Conference standings, every game - and point - matters for the Youngstown Phantoms. There are four points on the line this weekend for the Phantoms (24-13-4, fourth East) when they take on the Chicago Steel Friday in the Covelli Centre and Team USA on Sunday in Ann Arbor, Mich.

The puck drops Friday at 7:15 p.m. and Sunday at 3:30 p.m. EST.

After a sluggish start to the season, the Steel (13-27-1, eighth East) are in the midst of a turnaround over their past eight games. They won four in a row to wrap up the month of January and despite dropping three games last weekend, the losses were only by a combined four goals, and came at the hands of the first-place Green Bay Gamblers and second-place Indiana Ice.

Although the Phantoms have dominated the all-time series with the Steel, going 15-0-1 over the first 16 meetings, Chicago has won the last two by identical 3-1 scores - a detail not overlooked by Head Coach Anthony Noreen.

"We've lost two games in regulation in our last 10, and both of them were to Chicago," he said. "Inside our locker room, we've known all along that this is a good hockey team.

"The last two times we've played them, it's been 1-1 heading into the third period - and we take a lot of pride in our third periods - but we lost both of them. It's something we need to take care of this time around."

Noreen said that the difference over the past two meetings has been the Steel's ability to convert on the few opportunities Phantoms' have afforded them, while getting stellar goaltending at the other end from Alex Sakellaropoulos.

"It's a great teaching tool for me as a coach and our staff to say, 'That's why we can't make these mistakes.' We need to make sure our game is as tight as it can be, because when we have made even little mistakes, they've capitalized," he said. "And at the other end, their goaltender's played well the last times we've seen them and we need to make sure we make the most of our chances."

The Phantoms will be looking for win No. 1 of the season against Team USA (18-13-4, sixth East) when they face off Sunday at the Ice Cube. Team USA has won all four meetings with Youngstown so far this season, but the last three have been extremely close contests - two decided by just a single goal and the most recent back on Jan. 14 was clinched by an empty-netter.

Too many times, Noreen said, the Phantoms have spotted the National Team an early lead, and it will be crucial to come out with energy from the onset Sunday afternoon.

"We're a team where, when we have a good start, we kind of get on a roll and it's contagious," he said. "It carries through the team and that's when we're at our best, so it's very important to start well."

Noreen said the fact the Team USA is the lone Eastern Conference foe the Phantoms have yet to defeat this season is not lost in the locker room.

"It's something that eats at our guys," he said. "We know what we need to do and we're going to make sure we do everything we can between Friday night and Sunday to do it."

The Phantoms return to action Friday in the Covelli Centre when they take on the Chicago Steel. The puck drops at 7:15 p.m. EST.

The Phantoms are partnering with Radio Disney AM 1260 to provide an exclusive preview of the brand-new upcoming Disney XD series Lab Rats in the Covelli Centre before the Phantoms take on the Steel.

In addition to getting a sneak peek of Lab Rats before the show premieres, the Radio Disney AM 1260 Road Crew will be on hand with interactive entertainment and prizes for fans of all ages. The first 1,000 fans will also receive a free Lab Rats poster, courtesy of Radio Disney AM 1260. The Covelli Centre doors will open early at 5:30 p.m. EST and the exclusive premiere of Lab Rats will air at 6 p.m. on the video boards.

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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