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USHL Youngstown Phantoms

Countdown To Puck Drop: Phantoms Vs. Fargo

January 7, 2010 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Youngstown Phantoms News Release


Returning home after a three-game road trip, the Youngstown Phantoms will make their 2010 Covelli Centre debut in game one of two this weekend against the defending West Division playoff champion Fargo Force. The Phantoms concluded October by conquering the Force twice in North Dakota, claiming a pair of wins by 3-1 and 6-3 scores, giving Youngstown a 4-1-1 road record in the season's first month.

The highways of the Midwest haven't been as kind lately to the Phantoms (13-14-2, 28 points / 5th in East), who have gone 2-7-0 away from Covelli since that stellar start. Youngstown lost all three on last week's trip, falling in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on New Year's Eve before getting swept by East Division-leading Green Bay in a two-tilt series. G Jordan Tibbett's strong Sunday afternoon showing (36 saves on 38 shots) wasn't enough as the Gamblers edged the Phantoms 2-1.

After falling at Des Moines Nov. 19 to drop to 7-7-0, the Force (20-9-1, 41 points / 2nd in West) have reeled off 14 wins in 18 games since, including a current six-game winning streak, their second such run in the last two months. Fargo is 3-0 in 2010, most recently squeezing past Sioux City at home Tuesday, 3-2 in a shootout. Despite squandering a 2-0 second-period lead, Force G Ryan Massa stopped all five Musketeers attempts in the tiebreaker to lock up two more points in the standings.

PHANTOM PHACTS

- Despite their current three-game slide, the Phantoms have set a new season high by scoring at least one power play goal in each of their last five contests. Clicking at an 18.8 percent rate, Youngstown's PP unit got goals from F Tom Serratore, D Dave Donnellan and F Taylor Holstrom on its recent road trip. Serratore and Holstrom each have four power-play tallies and are tied for the team lead.

- Tibbett has gotten five of the last six starts in goal for the Phantoms, his most consistent stretch of playing time on the campaign. Coincidentally or not, his level of performance has matched his increase in action seen, as he's turned aside 160 of 176 shots for a.909 save percentage since his run of starts began Dec. 18. In addition, both Youngstown wins during this stretch have come with Tibbett in net.

- Both F Brett Gensler and Serratore capped off two-goal nights with empty-net goals to put twin flourishes on Youngstown's 6-3 win on Halloween in Fargo. The Phantoms scored four times in the third on only eight shots to snap a 2-2 tie; they were credited with just 15 total, including a mere two in the first frame.

DARK SIDE OF THE FORCE

- The Force have earned at least one standings point in each of their last eight games (7-0-1), with a shootout loss to Des Moines the only blemish since Dec. 11 for the second-place club in the West Division. On top of defeating Interstate 29 rivals Sioux City and Sioux Falls twice during this successful stage, Fargo came back from a 4-1 deficit to top first-place Omaha 6-5 in the Lancers' own barn; the Force are now 2-0 against the USHL's top team.

- D Nate Schmidt scored the only goal of the shootout Tuesday night as the Force closed out Sioux City at home. Schmidt is the second-leading scorer among defensemen in the USHL, with eight goals and 17 assists for a total of 25 points that is behind only Cedar Rapids D Bryce Aneloski's 30. D Eamonn McDermott also has 17 assists from the Fargo blue line.

- F Matt Leitner, Fargo's top point getter with 31 (14 G, 17 A), missed the Force's previous two matchups with Youngstown, as did F Colton St. Clair and Cleveland-native McDermott, who were taking part in the annual World Junior "A" Challenge in Summerside, Prince Edward Island, Canada. These three joined the rest of Team USA in defeating Canada West 2-1 in the gold medal game Nov. 8; McDermott and Leitner (GWG) both scored in the final contest.

UPCOMING PHANTOMS GAMES (All times eastern)

Friday at 7:15 p.m. vs. FARGO - New Year New You & Bargain Beer Night / Win great prizes all night long to help remake yourself in 2010, including fitness club memberships, training sessions and nutrition consultations. Also, enjoy $1 beers as the Phantoms host the Force for the first time!

Saturday at 7:15 p.m. vs. FARGO - Local Super Heroes Night / Join the Phantoms in honoring our local police officers and firefighters! Come early for a "Guns & Hoses" game pitting Youngstown's Finest vs. Youngstown's Bravest at 5 p.m., then stay for the Phantoms' matchup with the defending West Division champs.

Saturday, January 16 at 7:15 p.m. vs. TEAM USA - Kelly Pavlik's 13th Round Night & Thunderstick Giveaway / Youngstown's own boxing champ Kelly Pavlik will drop the puck on the Phantoms and Team USA's first matchup at Covelli. Then, meet Phantoms' players and staff at a special post-game party at Kelly Pavlik's 13th Round Restaurant in Struthers!

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 January 7, 2010


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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