USHL Youngstown Phantoms

Countdown To Puck Drop: Phantoms At Indiana

Published on December 17, 2009 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Youngstown Phantoms News Release


Back in the top four in the East Division, the Youngstown Phantoms get another chance to move up in the standings with a pair of intradivision games this weekend, starting with their first trip to Indianapolis to face the Clark Cup champion Indiana Ice. Indiana has been the Phantoms' foil in the first half of the USHL season, stopping Youngstown 6-2 Oct. 3 and posting a 3-0 shutout last Thursday on Covelli Centre ice.

The Phantoms (11-10-2, 24 pts / T-4th in East) face the same two teams this weekend - Indiana and Team USA - as they did last week when they went 1-2-0. After falling to Indiana at home, Youngstown split a two-game set against the US National Team's Under-17 squad, winning 6-5 Friday on F Brian Dowd's OT winner before dropping a 4-3 decision Saturday. F Jefferson Dahl netted four points (2 G, 2 A) over the weekend and G Matt Mahalak made 47 combined saves against the Red, White & Blue.

After also halving a pair of contests last weekend, the Ice (14-9-1, 29 pts / 2nd in East) will play the third out of five consecutive home games. Indiana rebounded from a 1-0 Friday whitewashing at the hands of Lincoln by topping the Stars 4-3 in a shootout at the Pepsi Coliseum last Saturday. F Shane Berschbach scored both a regulation goal and a shootout tally to back up the 40 saves of G Cab Morris, who leads the USHL in goals-against average, save percentage, shutouts and shootout wins.

PHANTOM PHACTS

- F Cody Strang and D Ben Paulides both recorded the first goals of their USHL careers last Friday in Ann Arbor, Mich., against Team USA. Interestingly enough, both were assisted by Dahl and came with the Phantoms shorthanded, marking the first time the team has netted two shorties in the same game. Strang then added his first Tier I assist on Dowd's OT goal.

- Last Friday marked the third time a Phantoms game has been decided in overtime, with the other Youngstown sudden-death victory occurring Nov. 14 vs. Chicago on F Tom Serratore's tally. Adding to the excitement: the three OT decisions have come by the freewheeling final scores of 7-6, 7-6 and 6-5.

- Youngstown was shut out for just the second time this season at the hands of the Ice last Thursday. G Jordan Tibbett acquitted himself well, making 24 saves and keeping the Phantoms alive well into the third period at the Covelli Centre. Tibbett has made three of five starts in December after missing most of November due to injury.

ICE INSIGHTS

- Tied for Indiana's points lead with 18 (7 G, 11 A), F Byron Paulazzo joins F Antti Roppo and Berschbach with two goals apiece against the Phantoms this season. F Nic Dowd, a draft pick of the NHL's Los Angeles Kings, is the Ice's top scorer versus Youngstown with four points, all assists.

- In winning three of its last four to subvert its previous three-game losing skid, Indiana has been successful on 20 of its last 21 penalty kills, including a streak of 19 in a row. The Ice's PK unit has now improved to No. 1 overall in the USHL, allowing only 16 power-play goals all season while killing penalties at an 86.2 percent rate.

- Morris' league-leading third shutout was the story Dec. 10 as the Ice quieted the homestanding Phantoms by a 3-0 count. The first-year USHL 'tender was perfect on 23 shots against, Paulazzo lit the lamp twice and F Max Cook tossed in a pair of helpers to lead Indiana to its second-straight road win.

UPCOMING GAMES AT THE COVELLI CENTRE...

Tuesday, December 29 at 7:15 p.m. vs. Waterloo - Christmas Gift Exchange / Bring yourunwanted holiday gifts to the game in exchange for a half-priced ticket to the game - all collected gifts will be donated to the Salvation Army! Also, enjoy $2 pretzels, hot dogs and pops all night long and take advantage of the Phantoms' Family Four Pack deal - four tickets for just $20!

Friday, January 8 at 7:15 p.m. vs. Fargo - New Year New You & Bargain Beer Night / Watch the Phantoms host the Force for the first time and enjoy $1 drafts all night long! Further details to come on this promotional night...

Saturday, January 9 at 7:15 p.m. vs. Fargo - Super Heroes Night / Honor our local police officers and firefighters!Enjoy a "Guns & Hoses" game pitting Youngstown's Finest vs. Youngstown's Bravest on the ice. More details to come...

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. Catch Phantoms Phever Tuesdays at 6 p.m. on Youngstown's ESPN Radio 1240 AM and 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 utilize 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 December 17, 2009


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