USHL Youngstown Phantoms

Countdown To Puck Drop: Phantoms At Chicago

Published on March 30, 2010 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Youngstown Phantoms News Release


The Youngstown Phantoms' last road trip of the season takes them to Chicagoland, as they will attempt to sweep the season series with the Chicago Steel. The Phantoms have won all four regular-season matchups with their East Division rivals and are 5-1-0 against the Steel including the preseason. The two sides last squared off Dec. 5 in a 3-1 home victory for Youngstown, a tilt that featured a combined 144 penalty minutes and a third-period "line brawl."

The Phantoms (18-35-4, 40 points / 7th in East) have noticeably improved entering the season's final week, earning points in four of eight games in March (2-4-2), their best results in a given month since they posted a 5-4-0 mark in December. Last weekend, Andrew Lamont and Jefferson Dahl each recorded two points as Youngstown split a home-and-home series with the U.S. National Team's Under-17 squad.

Flirting with playoff contention for the last two months, the Steel (23-28-6, 78 points / 6th in East) were finally put out of their misery with a loss in Des Moines Saturday night combined with a Waterloo win. Russian forward Andrei Kuchin, the only reliable point-producer left in Chicago after February's trade-deadline roster purge, lit the lamp twice against the Buccaneers to raise his team-leading goal total to 20.

PHANTOM PHACTS

- In their 3-2 road triumph last Friday in Ann Arbor, Mich., the Phantoms registered their seventh win of the season when trailing after one period of play. The total sounds relatively modest, but Youngstown is actually third in the USHL in that category, behind only Anderson Cup winner Green Bay (nine wins) and Clark Cup contender Fargo (eight).

- Despite falling by a 6-2 count Saturday at Covelli Centre, Youngstown did something it hadn't done since last month. After outshooting Lincoln 40-32 at the Ice Box Feb. 13, the Phantoms went 14 straight contests without tallying more shots than the opposition, their longest streak of the season. That run ended Saturday when the Purple and Orange launched 29 chunks of vulcanized rubber at goalie John Gibson; Team USA only fired 21.

- Taylor Holstrom has torn up the Chicago defense this year, posting eight points (2 G, 6 A) and a sterling plus-8 rating in four games. Also of note, defenseman Dave Donnellan has scored two of his three goals against the Steel and forward Nick Czinder has three goals and a plus-7 rating in the season series. Goaltenders Jordan Tibbett and Matt Mahalak have been in net for two wins apiece vs. Chicago.

STEEL CAGE MATCH

- Despite moving top scorers Mark Anthoine, Greg Wolfe and Alex Krushelnyski at the Feb. 6 trade deadline, Chicago has stayed afloat with an 8-8-1 record since rearranging its locker room. Former Sioux City Musketeer Darik Angeli has boosted the Steel offense since coming over in the Krushelnyski deal, throwing up nine points (5 G, 4 A) in 17 games.

- Chicago's Alex Simonson tallied 22 penalty minutes Saturday in Des Moines, loosening Phantom bruiser Rich Young's season-long grip on the USHL PIM crown. Young's total of 160 is now third-highest, with Simonson (165) and Lincoln's Dominik Shine (163) currently ahead. Cedar Rapids' Jeff Costello and Omaha blueliner C.J. Ludwig are also within range, at 149 and 148, respectively.

- With goalie Nick Pisellini still suspended for a post-overtime fight with Green Bay counterpart Steve Summerhays Mar. 21, the Phantoms will likely face tandem-mate Connor Wilson Wednesday night, against whom they have enjoyed considerable success. The North Carolina-born netminder is 0-1-1 vs. Youngstown with a 6.00 goals-against average and a .733 save percentage.

UPCOMING PHANTOMS GAMES (ALL TIMES EASTERN)

Wednesday, March 31 at 8:30 p.m. @ CHICAGO

Friday, April 2 at 7:15 p.m. vs. CEDAR RAPIDS / Bargain Beers & Baseball - Enjoy $1 brews all night long as the Purple and Orange host the RoughRiders for the first time ever! Also, the Phantoms celebrate baseball's opening weekend with mascot Scrappy of the Mahoning Valley Scrappers and former Cleveland Indians pitcher Jason Stanford. Enter to win baseball-themed prizes!

Saturday, April 3 at 7:15 p.m. vs. CEDAR RAPIDS / Fan Appreciation Night - Join the Phantoms for the season's final game as the organization gratefully thanks you for your loyal support. Game-worn jerseys will be auctioned, great promotional items will be given away and area youth hockey teams will be honored on the season's ultimate night!

CATCH PHANTOMS PHEVER!

"Phantoms Phever" is an hour-long weekly talk show that brings you an inside look at your Youngstown Phantoms. Join Voice of the Phantoms Matt Gajtka at Jeremiah Bullfrog's Sports Bar & Grille on US Route 224 in Boardman as he chats with coaches, players and front office staff about northeast Ohio's most exciting team and the great sport of hockey. Catch the Phever Tuesdays at 6 p.m. on Youngstown's ESPN Radio 1240 AM and online at www.wbbw.com!

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United States Hockey League Stories from March 30, 2010


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.

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