USHL Youngstown Phantoms

Phantoms Face Important Weekend Against Green Bay

Published on December 9, 2010 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Youngstown Phantoms News Release


YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - The Youngstown Phantoms (9-10-1,19pts) face-off against the Green Bay Gamblers this weekend (14-4-2,30pts) for two very important games within the Eastern Conference. The Phantoms strong play as of late has returned the team to a level of play that saw them start the season 4-1.

The Phantoms inspired play can be contributed in part to the outstanding play by goaltender Matthew O'Connor. In his last four games O'Connor has recorded a 1.60 goals-against-average and a .940 save percentage. O'Connor has started twelve straight games dating back to October 29 and he trails Chicago netminder Connor Wilson for the most minutes played by only 49 minutes.

"I have been working a lot with my goaltending coach," said O'Connor. "I have been working on being more in control for the second save and on my post save response. I have been more relaxed and with my size the more controlled I am the easier it is for me."

The Phantoms emotional 4-3 victory over Team USA this past Saturday will provide the collective jump for a Phantoms squad that will face off against their conference rival for the third and fourth times this season.

"It was a big win for us," said Phantoms forward Mike Ambrosia. "Heading into a big weekend a win like that over a really good USA squad does a lot for our team. It really helps boost our confidence early in the season."

The Phantoms four game winning streak is impressive but not to be out done the Gamblers held onto an eight game winning streak before falling to Dubuque 5-4 this past Saturday. The Gamblers loss was their first since November 12. The Phantoms are only four points out of third place in the east and a four point weekend would do a lot for both the team and their position in the conference.

"Picking up two wins will do a lot for our team," said Ambrosia. "We dug ourselves a little bit of a hole early and a big weekend will mean a lot with only one week before the holiday break."

Four points and two wins would put the Phantoms above five-hundred for the first time since October 23. The Phantoms and Gamblers have met twice this season with each team winning once. The Phantoms game plan will remain the same heading into Green Bay, a lot of shots and physical play at both ends of the ice.

"Being physical does a lot," said defenseman Kevin Liss. "It not only separates the man from the puck but it also prevents the other teams forwards from trying to get to fancy."

In the first of two meetings of this season the Phantoms picked up one of their now seven one goal victories as they defeated Green Bay 3-2. Two weeks later the Gamblers returned to the Covelli Centre and handed the Phantoms a 2-0 loss as they were shutout for the first time this season. In games against Green Bay the Phantoms have seen goal scoring from Ryan Belonger, Ty Loney, and Quinn Smith. Phantoms goalie O'Connor has only allowed four goals on 67 shots while the Green Bay netminding tandem of Adam Wilcox and Ryan McKay have allowed three goals on 45 shots. The puck drops at 7:05 p.m. (CST) on both Friday and Saturday night. After the weekend against the Gamblers the Phantoms will travel to Dubuque on December 17 and to Muskegon on December 18 before they have a week off for the holiday season.

The Phantoms return home on December 28 and 29 for games against the Indiana Ice and the Des Moines Buccaneers, both games starting at 7:30 p.m. The Phantoms are 2-0-0 against the Ice and they are 1-0-1 against the Buccaneers this season.

Full and partial season tickets, group tickets and flex package tickets for the 2010-11 season are available now. Premium packages start as low as $264 for all 30 home games. As a season ticket holder you receive invites to Season Ticket Holder events, Playoff Ticket Priority, and many other great benefits. For more info, call 330-747-7825. For the complete schedule, visit, www.youngstownphantoms.com.

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United States Hockey League Stories from December 9, 2010


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