USHL Youngstown Phantoms

Countdown To Puck Drop: Phantoms Vs. Chicago

Published on December 5, 2009 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Youngstown Phantoms News Release


A season-best 11 different Youngstown Phantoms registered at least a point last night as they ended a season-long four-game winless streak with a come-from-behind 6-4 victory over the second-place Chicago Steel. The Phantoms can move to within one point of the Steel with a regulation win tonight.

The Phantoms (9-8-220 pts, 5th in East) have captured all three games against the Steel this season, averaging a gaudy six goals per contest versus their East Division rivals. Friday was a night for defensemen, as rearguards David Donnellan, Scott Mayfield and Luke Eibler each recorded a goal and an assist, with Eibler's late tally - his fourth in four games - standing as the game winner.

Last night, the Steel (10-8-323 pts, T-2nd in East) held leads of 1-0, 3-2 and 4-3 only to see the Phantoms charge back each time; Chicago has squandered a third-period lead in all three games this year against Youngstown. Leading scorer F Sahir Gill did all he could to prevent Chicago's second-straight loss and its sixth in eight games - he potted a pair of goals as part of a three-point night.

PHANTOM PHACTS

- Youngstown's previous high for players getting points in a single game had been nine (Nov. 14 vs. CHI) before last night's 11. Even more notable was the fact that only D-men Donnellan, Mayfield and Eibler turned in multiple-point efforts; fellow blueliners Andrej Sustr (team-leading 11th assist) and Dan Senkbeil (assist on Donnellan's goal) also got involved.

- Although F Brian Dowd didn't get a goal for the first time since Nov. 20 (three-game streak), he did assist on F Adam Berkle's even-strength marker :58 into the second period, giving him at least a point in four straight. It's his second such run of the season, tying himself and F Brett Gensler for the Phantoms' longest streak of the campaign.

- The Phantoms outshot Chicago by the slimmest of margins last night, 29-28, but they will certainly take it. Prior to last night, Youngstown had gone eight consecutive tilts since the last time they pulled off the feat - Nov. 5 in a 5-4 home win over the Des Moines Buccaneers. The Purple and Orange are now 4-1-0 when they fire more shots than the opposition.

STEEL cage match

- F Mark Anthoine briefly held the USHL goal-scoring lead all to himself last night, as he rifled his 15th into the top shelf 1:10 into the game, the fastest into a contest that a Phantoms opponent has scored all season. However, Omaha's prodigious Matt White (league-leading 40 points) matched Anthoine in the third period of his Lancers' 3-2 home win over Team USA.

- In addition to Gill and Anthoine each getting on the scoresheet, the third of Chicago's top-tier scorers, Russian F Andrei Kuchin, also tacked on the only assist on Gill's second power-play goal of the night. On the other side of things, the Phantoms completely shut down F Greg Wolfe, who had three points (G, 2 A) in the teams' Nov. 14 meeting.

- The Phantoms have lit up Chicago's goaltending in the first three games of the season series to the tune of a combined 6.00 goals-against average and a.757 save percentage. Most of the damage has come late against both Connor Wilson (two starts vs. YNG) and last night's starter Nick Pisellini - 17 of 18 Youngstown goals have occurred beyond the first period.

Upcoming home games at the covelli Centre...

TONIGHT at 7:15 p.m. vs. Chicago - Toys for Tots Night & Teddy Bear Toss / WYTV-TV combines with the Marines' Toys for Tots program on this special night. Bring a new, unwrapped toy and receive a half-priced ticket. Also, you can again purchase a $5 teddy bear to throw on the ice after the Phantoms score their first goal - proceeds go to Toys for Tots. Help us cover the ice!

Thursday, December 10 at 7:15 p.m. vs. Indiana - Phantoms Furry Friends Night / Bring any pet care product to the Covelli Centre and receive a half-priced ticket! Visit www.angelsforanimals.org to ensure $3 from your ticket goes to Angels for Animals, which provides education and solutions to pet overpopulation in our region. Be on the lookout for special furry guests throughout the night!

Tuesday, December 29 at 7:15 p.m. vs. Waterloo - Christmas Gift Exchange / Bring your unwanted 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!

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!

Check out the Youngstown Phantoms Statistics

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United States Hockey League Stories from December 5, 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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