USHL Youngstown Phantoms

Countdown To Puck Drop: Phantoms At Fargo

Published on October 29, 2009 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Youngstown Phantoms News Release


The Youngstown Phantoms return to the road this weekend to complete an opening month that featured six out of nine games away from the Covelli Centre. With a 2-1-1 record thus far as the visitors, Head Coach Bob Mainhardt's club will look to put an end to a three-game losing streak against the Fargo Force at the Urban Plains Center.

The Phantoms (2-4-15 pts, 5th in East) have been downright dangerous on the road, averaging 4.75 goals in hostile environments as opposed to only 2.0 per game at home. Leading point getter Taylor Holstrom must love being cast as the enemy, as he has eight of his nine points (3 G, 6 A) with the crowd rooting against him.

The Force (4-3-08 pts, T-4th in East) will play their first home game in exactly three weeks after going 3-1 on a four-game roadie. Although they were blown out at Waterloo last Saturday by a 7-3 count, Fargo defeated Omaha and Tri-City, the two top teams in the West Division, back-to-back in their buildings Oct. 16-17.

PHANTOM PHACTS

- With two more power-play goals last weekend off the stick of D-man Luke Eibler, Youngstown improved its PP conversion rate to 20.6 percent, the sixth-best mark in the 14-team USHL. The Phantoms have netted two man-advantage tallies in three of their seven games, including last Friday against Tri-City.

- In addition to Eibler's two-goal game last Friday, two other first-year USHL players were positively conspicuous in the two-game home set against Tri-City. Rich Young buried his first league goal Friday and beat the Storm's Michael Montrose handily in a fight Saturday. Also in Saturday's tilt, Adam Berkle tossed in his second of the campaign, the Phantoms' lone goal that night. Both Young and Berkle hail from the Philadelphia area.

- Despite falling 3-1 Saturday to Tri-City, the Phantoms outshot the visiting Storm 32-29 on the strength of a strong third period. It was the first time Youngstown outclassed its opponent in that category since a 5-4 win at Des Moines Oct. 10.

DARK SIDE OF THE force

- The Force, along with the Phantoms and five other USHL outfits, have more wins (three) on the road than they do at home (one), although that's likely a product of their early road-heavy schedule. Fargo has played only twice at the Urban Plains Center, beating Lincoln on opening night Oct. 2 and dropping a 4-3 decision to Sioux Falls one week later.

- Los Alamitos, California's own Matt Leitner is third in the league in scoring with 13 points (6 G, 7 A) in his third USHL season. Last year, Leitner finished with 57 points, just two behind team leader Andy Taranto as the Force finished third in the West and advanced to the Clark Cup final before falling to Indiana three games to one.

- Fargo's run to the top of the West occurred in the franchise's first season in North Dakota, although the Force had the rights to the roster of the defunct Ohio Junior Blue Jackets, who played out of Columbus. Steve Johnson, former USHL Coach of the Year for the old Fargo-Moorhead Bears (1995-96) and the Lincoln Stars (1999-2000 and 2000-01), is in his first season with the Force. He also claimed two Clark Cups during his 11-year stint in Lincoln.

CATCH "PHANTOMS PHEVER!"

Phantoms Phever, presented by House of Speed, 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.

This week's guests will be Head Coach/GM Bob Mainhardt, forward Mike Henderson and Phantoms Director of Community Relations & PR Kelly Carroll. Catch Phantoms Phever Tuesdays at 6 p.m. on Youngstown's ESPN Radio 1240 AM or online at www.wbbw.com!

FOLLOW THE PHANTOMS ALL SEASON LONG

ESPN 1240 is also the exclusive radio home for the Youngstown Phantoms! Matt Gajtka has the call from all 60 Phantoms regular season games as they roll through their first-ever campaign in the Tier I United States Hockey League. Hockey nuts outside the listening area can log onto www.wbbw.com to access the "Listen Live" feature!

Fans may also purchase the Phantoms season pass at www.b2tv.com to watch and listen via the B2 Networks' multimedia game broadcasts.

Also, make "Youngstown Phantoms" your friend on Facebook and follow "ytownphantoms" on Twitter to stay plugged into the Phantoms 24 hours a day, seven days a week!

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United States Hockey League Stories from October 29, 2009


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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