USHL Youngstown Phantoms

Phantoms Hope to Jump on 'Jacks Early this Weekend

Published on February 22, 2013 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Youngstown Phantoms News Release


YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - After playing five of their past six games on the road, the Youngstown Phantoms return to the Covelli Centre this weekend to take on the Muskegon Lumberjacks and kick off a five-game, eight-day homestand

The Eastern Conference rivals met only a week ago in Muskegon, Mich., where the Lumberjacks (26-14-8, 60 points) snapped a three-game winning streak for the Phantoms (23-20-0, 46 points) with a 4-1 win. Although one streak came to an end for Youngstown at L.C. Walker Arena that night, Nathan Walker ensured another would remain intact. The Australian winger's game-opening goal marked the fifth straight contests the Phantoms have scored first.

Does that look like a meaningless statistic? It's anything but. Though Walker's goal ultimately came in a losing effort, much of the Phantoms' success and shortcomings this season have been linked to their starts.

"It's something we're extremely cognizant of," head coach Anthony Noreen said. "When we start well, we usually have a good game."

"Usually" may be an understatement. The Phantoms are 16-4-0 when scoring first in a game, and that has led in no small part to a 12-0-0 record when leading after one period and 15-0-0 after two.

"Numbers don't lie," Noreen said. "Just like video, it doesn't lie.

"Those numbers tell a story. When we've gotten in front, obviously it gives you some confidence and our guys have done a good job of sticking to what we do and not allowing teams to get back in the game."

Youngstown is far from unique in that regard - the same can be said about the Lumberjacks. Every team would rather grab an early lead than have to worry about playing catch up, and it would surprise no one to learn that the team that scores first has a higher chance of winning, around 70 percent.

But to put the current streak in context, and further underscore it importance, one only needs to look at how Youngstown started the 2012-13 campaign. The Phantoms scored first just three times over their opening 16 games, and went 5-11-0.

Noreen said it was a painful lesson for his young team, but one it learned from.

"We did a lot of playing from behind early in the season," he said. "It's something that our guys aren't afraid of doing. We've been down before and we've been able to come back and win."

However, with leading scorer Austin Cangelosi out of the lineup this weekend serving the final two games of a suspension, and another conference rival in Chicago looming next week, the second-year bench boss said he would prefer his team sticks to the routine.

"The habits that give you success over the course of the year are the ones you want to fall into," Noreen said.

Game Schedule (All Times EST)

Saturday, Feb. 23: Phantoms vs. Lumberjacks at 7:15 p.m. - Sports Radio 1240/FASTHockey.com

Sunday, Feb. 24: Phantoms vs. Lumberjacks at 1 p.m. - Sports Radio 1240/FASTHockey.com

The first 1,000 fans through the doors Saturday will receive a free Phantoms Rally Towel sponsored by ProQuality Land Development. The Covelli Centre opens at 6:15 p.m. and HOT 101 DJ J-Dub will be on the concourse spinning the latest hits to get you amped for puck drop. Plus, the Phantoms will be honoring Boardman Athletics throughout the night.

Sunday is the Phantoms Family Day. The festivities will be highlighted by a "Big Top Stop" from The Fur Circus, but also include pregame activities on the concourse and a free postgame skate for fans with the Phantoms players. The Covelli Centre doors will open early at 11:30 a.m. EST for loads of pregame fun with free face painting, a design-a-sign station and the FURlarious antics of The Fur Circus! In addition, all children 10 years and under will receive a free bouncing session in the inflatable Bounce-A-Round house.

Phantoms Flex Packages are on sale now starting at the low price of just $75. Flex Packages include 10 undated ticket vouchers that can be redeemed at any game and in any increment throughout the rest of the season. Call 330.747.PUCK (7825) for more information or to reserve a Phantoms Flex Package today. For all the latest news, visit www.YoungstownPhantoms.com, follow the Phantoms on Twitter ( @YtownPhantoms ) and "˜like' them on Facebook ( www.Facebook.com/YoungstownPhantoms ).

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United States Hockey League Stories from February 22, 2013


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