Countdown To Puck Drop: Phantoms Vs. Fargo
January 9, 2010 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Youngstown Phantoms News Release
Motivation should be high for the Youngstown Phantoms tonight, as they begin the second half of their inaugural USHL season with a rematch against the defending West Division playoff champion Fargo Force. Last night, the Phantoms got out to an early 1-0 lead, but the Force charged back for a 4-2 win, their seventh in a row and Youngstown's fourth consecutive loss.
Rebound goals from F Tom Serratore and F Brett Gensler weren't enough last night for the Phantoms (13-15-2, 28 points / 5th in East), who are now 0-3 in 2010. Don't blame the penalty killing, as Youngstown's shorthanded unit has now cancelled 16 straight power plays against - a season high - after an 8-for-8 showing last Sunday in Green Bay and yesterday's vanquishing of all five Fargo man-advantage situations.
Since the Phantoms sent the Force (21-9-1, 43 points / 2nd in West) to their third-straight defeat Oct. 31 in Fargo, dropping them under.500 (4-5-0) for the only time all season, they have rattled off 17 victories in their last 22 contests. F Garrett Allen and F Chase Grant each had a goal and an assist last night, and G Ryan Massa improved to 9-1-0 since joining the Force in late November, stopping 24 of 26 Youngstown shots.
PHANTOM PHACTS
- Heading into their Dec. 31 showdown with the RoughRiders in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the Phantoms were an impressive 7-1-1 when netting the game's first goal. However, Youngstown has dropped its last two decisions when jumping on top early, and coincidentally Serratore has been the Phantom who provided the short-lived lead in both games.
- The last time Youngstown was on a losing skein (three straight), they skated into a two-game series in Fargo, N.D., Oct. 30-31. After grabbing 3-1 and 6-3 decisions at the Urban Plains Center, the Phantoms won three more in succession to begin November. That five-game winning streak is Youngstown's longest in the franchise's first USHL campaign.
- D Andrej Sustr returned to the Phantoms' lineup last night after missing six games due to his participating in the World Junior Championship in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Playing in a half dozen contests for the Czech Republic, Sustr registered four shots on goal and six penalty minutes as his nation won its last three games to finish the tournament with a 4-3 record.
DARK SIDE OF THE FORCE
- F Matt Leitner and F Colten St. Clair, both of whom missed the first two games of the season series between these two clubs when they played for Team USA in the World Junior 'A' Challenge, each made significant contributions to last night's 4-2 Fargo win. Leitner, the Force's leading scorer with 32 points (14 G, 18 A), earned an assist on Allen's first-period tally, and St. Clair got primary helpers on Fargo's next two goals.
- F Corey Leivermann's game-winning goal late in the second frame, gave him three points (2 G, A) in three games against the Phantoms this year, tying him with Grant (G, 2 A) in that category. Even though Gensler cut the lead to 3-2 before the end of the period, the Force improved to 13-1-0 when on top through 40 minutes of play.
- After a third-place finish in the West Division last season, the first-year Force swept defending champion Omaha in the first round of the playoffs before knocking off the Lincoln Stars, also in three straight, to reach the Clark Cup Final. Fargo then claimed the first game of the final series for head coach/GM Steve Johnson, but Indiana stormed back to win the next three to clinch its first championship.
UPCOMING PHANTOMS GAMES (ALL TIMES EASTERN)
TONIGHT 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!
Monday, January 18 at 6:30 p.m. vs. TEAM USA - Kids' Day / Buy one adult ticket and receive a FREE children's ticket! Get postgame autographs from Phantoms players and enjoy kids' activities throughout the game. **Please note earlier start time**
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!
United States Hockey League Stories from January 9, 2010
- Eight For Effort - Waterloo Black Hawks
- Buccaneers outlast Lancers 5-4 - Omaha Lancers
- Bucs get big win - Des Moines Buccaneers
- U.S. Nat'l U18 Team Falls to U. of Wisconsin, 7-1 - U.S. National Team
- U.S. Nat'l U17 Team Drops 6-1 Decision to Green Bay - U.S. National Team
- Only Lamont solves Massa as Force stop Phantoms again - Youngstown Phantoms
- Two Hawks Picked As Stars - Waterloo Black Hawks
- Countdown To Puck Drop: Phantoms Vs. Fargo - Youngstown Phantoms
- USHL Names 2010 All-Star Rosters - Des Moines Buccaneers
- Five All-Stars For Indiana Ice - Indiana Ice
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