USHL Youngstown Phantoms

Countdown To Puck Drop: Phantoms At Fargo

October 31, 2009 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Youngstown Phantoms News Release


The Youngstown Phantoms' barnstorming first month in the United States Hockey League comes to a close tonight on Halloween in Fargo against the West Division's Force. After grabbing a 3-1 win last night at the Urban Plains Center, the Phantoms can wrap up October with a 4-1-1 road record with a second-straight victory over the Force.

The Phantoms (3-4-17 pts, 5th in East) were paced last night by USHL second-year forward Brett Gensler. Picked up in the Expansion Draft this summer from Cedar Rapids, Gensler tied the game late in the second period and registered the go-ahead tally on the power play early in the third. His five goals, two of which are game winners, lead the Phantoms through their first eight games.

The Force (4-4-08 pts, T-4th in West) looks to rebound from its lowest offensive output of the season and move back above the.500 mark. Fargo's top-ranked power play got another goal last night, but Johnnie Searfoss' fifth of the season wasn't nearly enough to back up goaltender Cody Campbell, who was beaten twice on 22 Youngstown shots in his second loss of the campaign.

PHANTOM PHACTS

- While Fargo sports the league's most dangerous power play, the Phantoms showed last night that their PP unit is also a force to be reckoned with. After looking strong on their first three chances, Youngstown's power play cashed in its fourth opportunity courtesy of an Andrej Sustr-to-Gensler tip-in at 7:03 of the third to give the Phantoms their first lead.

- Special teams also came into play in the waning moments as Youngstown was forced to kill off a 39-second two-man Fargo advantage while holding a 2-1 lead. The Phantoms successfully exterminated both the 5-on-3 and the subsequent 5-on-4, with defenseman Scott Mayfield banking in a shorthanded empty-net goal with 59 seconds to play to seal the win.

- Youngstown came out on top in the shots-on-goal category last night by a 23-21 count, the second-consecutive time the Phantoms have done that. They've outshot their opponents three times in the first eight games and boast a 2-1-0 record in such contests.

DARK SIDE OF THE force

- Fargo was missing four of its top guns last night due to various reasons. Captain Chase Grant was in his native Oklahoma to attend his grandfather's funeral, but could be back for tonight's tilt. Leading scorer Matt Leitner (6 G, 7 A), defenseman Eamonn McDermott (5 A) and Colten St. Clair (1 G, 2 A) will be gone for the next week-plus as they participate in the World Junior A Challenge in Summerside, Prince Edward Island, Canada.

- Searfoss (power-play goal) and Nate Condon (assist) were the only Fargo players on the scoresheet last night, but those contributions were dulled by their -2 ratings. Both Searfoss and Condon were on the ice for Gensler's tying goal in the final minute of the second and Mayfield's bank-shot empty-net goal that closed the scoring.

- 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.

Upcoming home games at the covelli Centre...

Thursday, November 5 at 7:15 p.m. vs. Des Moines - Mascot Mania Night / Kids wearing Halloween costumes get in free! Featuring appearances by Sparky, the Cleveland Browns' Chomps and other famous mascots.

Friday, November 6 at 7:15 p.m. vs. Des Moines - Bargain Beer Night presented by Back to Health Chiropractic / Enjoy $1 beers all night long! YSU students receive $4 tickets when presenting student ID at Covelli Centre Box Office.

Wednesday, November 11 at 7:15 p.m. vs. Green Bay - Salute Our Troops on Veterans' Day / $3 from each regularly-priced ticket goes to the USO (United Service Organizations) of Northern Ohio! Sign up at the game to send holiday greetings to overseas troops.

Friday, November 13 at 7:15 p.m. vs. Green Bay - Celebrate Friday the 13th / First 2,000 fans through the Covelli Centre gates receive a free Phantoms T-shirt courtesy of Callos. Meet pop star Joey Fatone (N*SYNC, Dancing with the Stars), who will be in the house!

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!

Check out the Youngstown Phantoms Statistics



United States Hockey League Stories from October 31, 2009


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