USHL Youngstown Phantoms

Countdown To Puck Drop: Phantoms Vs. Cedar Rapids

Published on April 1, 2010 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Youngstown Phantoms News Release


In the glorious aftermath of their biggest win of the season, the Youngstown Phantoms immediately get back to work at Covelli Centre for a two-game set against the playoff-bound Cedar Rapids RoughRiders. While the Phantoms just completed a five-game season sweep of the Chicago Steel Wednesday night, they will try to avoid being at the short end of a whitewash this weekend, as the RoughRiders have prevailed in the first three meeting of the season, all in Cedar Rapids.

The Phantoms (19-35-4, 42 points / 7th in East) set or tied multiple team offensive records in their 9-3 stomping of Chicago. Youngstown posted new marks in goals (nine) and quickest score from the start of a game (Cody Strang 41 seconds into the contest); the five goals in the second period tied the team's previous high set Jan. 18. Two of the tallies were of the shorthanded variety, matching the Phantoms' total from a win over Team USA Dec. 11.

Like the Phantoms, the RoughRiders (37-18-3, 77 points / 2nd in East) also kicked off their three-game final week with a win Wednesday, as Cedar Rapids dominated Fargo at home by a 5-0 count. Star defenseman Bryce Aneloski contributed two assists as Troy Grosenick earned the shutout with a mere 11 saves. The last three RoughRiders games have ended in shutouts, with Grosenick picking up a pair; Waterloo's Willie Yanakeff shut down Cedar Rapids last Saturday.

PHANTOM PHACTS

- Along with possessing the Phantoms' only hat trick thus far, Strang joined Jefferson Dahl, Tom Serratore, Luke Eibler, Brett Gensler and Nick Czinder as the only players with two multi-goal games this season. Adam Berkle, Andrew Lamont and Taylor Holstrom have Youngstown's other multi-goal games. Czinder's three-point effort Wednesday finished a resurgent March in which he tallied six points (4 G, 2 A).

- Only Czinder has a plus rating on the team (+7), but two teammates enjoyed banner nights in that category in Chicago. Both Stuart Higgins and Dan Senkbeil posted plus-4 ratings against the Steel, despite only registering one point, a Higgins assist, between the two of them. No Phantom had ever been a plus-4 until Wednesday evening.

- The Phantoms have only posted four goals in three games with Cedar Rapids, with Serratore and Berkle the high scorers in the series with a goal and an assist each. Youngstown suffered heartbreak Jan. 23, as the Purple and Orange rallied to tie in the third only to fall 3-2 on David Boehm's final-minute goal.

RIDERS ON THE STORM

- Since losing their fourth in a row Nov. 28, the RoughRiders have been on a truly remarkable tear, collecting points in 30 of their last 39 games to surge from 9-9-1 to 37-18-4 and the No. 2 seed in the East Division playoff bracket. Included in that burst was a 15-game unbeaten streak (14-0-1) that is tied for the second-longest such run in the USHL this season.

- Rookie Boehm has led the Cedar Rapids offensive charge of late, posting 10 points (6 G, 4 A) and a plus-11 rating in the RoughRiders' last 10 games. Leading scorer Zach Lehrke has six of his 57 points (25 G, 32 A) during that same span, as does Eric Robinson. Goalies Grosenick and Chad Campbell have stolen the spotlight since March began, combining for three shutouts, a 1.40 goals-against average and a .941 save percentage.

- Jeff Costello, Cedar Rapids' top sniper with 29 red lights, has buried three goals plus a helper in the season series with Youngstown. Also dangerous has been Cason Hohmann, as the No. 2 overall pick in the 2009 USHL Futures Draft (Phantoms netminder Matt Mahalak was the first selection) has four points (2 G, 2 A) in the three previous matchups.

UPCOMING PHANTOMS GAMES (ALL TIMES EASTERN)

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!

***END OF SEASON - SEE YOU IN THE FALL!***

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United States Hockey League Stories from April 1, 2010


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