USHL Youngstown Phantoms

Countdown To Puck Drop: Vs. Green Bay

Published on November 12, 2009 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Youngstown Phantoms News Release


The stars will be out in spades as the Youngstown Phantoms, winners of a season-high five in a row, host the second-place Green Bay Gamblers for the second time in three nights. With pop star Joey Fatone and the Food Network's Guy Fieri looking on, northeast Ohio's favorites will shoot for four straight home wins and a share of first in the East Division with the Chicago Steel.

The Phantoms (7-4-115 pts, 3rd in East) took their fourth consecutive one-goal win Wednesday night, sprinting out to a 3-0 lead and holding off Green Bay in a frantic third period for a 3-2 final. Netminder Matt Mahalak turned in arguably his finest USHL performance to date, stopping 33 shots for his first home win and adding a rare goalie assist on Brian Dowd's breakaway game winner.

The Gamblers (7-4-216 pts, 2nd in East) saw their two-game winning streak come to an end at the Covelli Centre, as they fell to a still-respectable 5-3-0 away from the confines of the Resch Center. Leading scorer Anders Lee spearheaded the late Green Bay charge Wednesday, chipping in a goal and an assist in the third to move into a tie for 11th on the USHL points list with 14.

PHANTOM PHACTS

- After an uneven 2-4-1 start to the season, Youngstown has righted things in a hurry with its current five-game run up the East Division standings. Credit team defense for the hasty turnaround: the Phantoms were averaging 4.7 goals against through their first seven contests but have nearly cut that in half over the last five to a slender 2.6.

- The Phantoms registered a less-than-desirable league record Wednesday night, but since they earned the win it might be worth celebrating (or at least chuckling about). Their nine shots in the contest was the lowest total for a team in the 31-year history of the USHL, trumping the 12 launched by Sioux City in a shutout loss to Lincoln on November 14, 1997.

- While the Phantoms power play continues to chug along at a 20 percent success rate, the penalty-killing unit has quickly risen up the USHL ranks by extinguishing 11 straight opposition power plays. The PK is now 9th in the league with a 79.7 percent kill rate after starting the current homestand 13th.

Gamblers anonymous

- Youngstown's historically low shot total Wednesday was certainly no consolation to Green Bay's star goalie Steve Summerhays. The Anchorage, Alaska native stopped only six of nine shots (a.667 save percentage) in suffering his first regulation loss of the season. But don't cry too much for him; he is still third in the USHL in wins (six) and goals-against average (2.00).

- Defenseman Ryan Albers' third-period bout with the Phantoms' Ryan Jasinsky struck a familiar chord with Gamblers followers. Green Bay ranks first in the 14-team USHL in the following hostile categories: penalty minutes (400), major penalties (16), 10-minute misconducts (seven) and game misconducts (three). With all that time spent in the sin bin, no wonder the Gamblers are also tied for the lead in shorthanded goals with three.

- The Gamblers are in their 16th season of existence and have won two Clark Cups, three regular-season titles - including last season - and five division crowns. Their colors (black and gold) and logo are tributes to the old Green Bay Bobcats franchise, which was an inaugural member of the USHL before folding in 1981.

Upcoming home games at the covelli Centre...

Friday, November 13 at 7:15 p.m. vs. Green Bay - Celebrate Friday the 13th / Meet pop starJoey Fatone (N*SYNC, Dancing with the Stars) and celebrity chef Guy Fieri, both of whom will be in the house! Also, the first 2,000 fans through the Covelli Centre gates receive a free Phantoms T-shirt courtesy of Callos.

Saturday, November 14 at 7:15 p.m. vs. Chicago - Kids Club Night & Luke Holko Fundraiser Night / Join the Kids Club and get a free ticket to Saturday's game, then take part in a special post-game skate with the Phantoms! $3 from each purchased ticket will go directly to the Luke Holko Fund.

Friday, November 27 at 7:15 p.m. vs. Lincoln - Bald Is Beautiful Night / Buy tickets at your local Casal's Salon - $3 from each ticket will go to Wigs For Kids. Stay tuned for additional promotions!

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.

This week's featured guests will include Head Coach/GM Bob Mainhardt and Wisconsin's 2008 Mr. Hockey Jefferson Dahl. Catch Phantoms Phever Tuesdays at 6 p.m. on Youngstown's ESPN Radio 1240 AM!

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 November 12, 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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