USHL Youngstown Phantoms

Phantoms Pages: Week 17

Published on January 24, 2011 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Youngstown Phantoms News Release


YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - The Youngstown Phantoms (13-18-3,29pts) picked up three out of four potential points in the standings this past weekend. The Phantoms 29 points give them sole possession of the sixth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. The Phantoms trail fifth place Team USA by two points and fourth place Muskegon by five points.

The Week in Review

Game 33: Phantoms Pick Up One Point, Fall 3-2 in Overtime

On Friday night, the Phantoms took on the Sioux Falls Stampede (18-11-4,40pts) for the first time since November 6 when the Phantoms were beat 8-4. The Phantoms gave up a first period goal but with 20 seconds to play Jiri Sekac tipped in a Ben Paulides slap shot to send both teams into the intermission tied at one. In the second period, Quinn Smith scored four minutes into the period but a Stampede goal at the half way point tied the game at two. In the third period the Phantoms we outshot 10-6 but exceptional goaltending by Greg Lewis helped the Phantoms reach overtime for the second time in as many games. In the overtime frame, Stampede defenseman took a rising wrist shot that beat a screened Lewis to give Sioux Falls the overtime win. In the losing effort Lewis stopped 44 of 47 shots, both which were season highs for the Phantoms.

Game 34: Strang Scores in Overtime, Lifts Phantoms 3-2

The Waterloo Black Hawks (11-16-5,27pts) traveled to Youngstown for the first time this season and coming to Saturday's contest they only trailed the Phantoms by a single point for sixth place in the east. The Phantoms opened the scoring in the first period when Cody Strang beat C.J. Motte with a wrist from the bottom of the right faceoff circle. The Phantoms added to their lead in the second period when Stephen Collins scored on a backhander that fooled Motte on the blocker side. The second period would not be remembered for the goal but rather for the 165 penalty minutes issued on a single play with under five minutes on the clock in the second. Phantoms defenseman Scott Mayfield got tangled up in the corner with Anthony Day and on his way to the penalty box Black Hawks defenseman Andrew Panzarella jumped Mayfield which led to all five players on the ice to drop the gloves. Ten fighting majors and ten, ten minute game misconducts were issued on the play leaving each team with 13 skaters on the bench. After the dust had settled the Phantoms took a 2-0 lead going into the final period. In the third period, the Black Hawks scored a goal off a bad bounce in front of the Phantoms net and eight minutes later they tied the game at two. The Phantoms were headed to overtime for the second consecutive night, but Strang made sure the outcome was different from the night before. Strang forced a turnover in the offensive zone and as Motte charged out of the crease Strang was able to slide the puck under him for the game winner.

Phantom Phacts

-Strang scored two goals against the Black Hawks, giving him his second multi-goal game of the season and his seventh multi-point game of the year. The overtime goal gives him two game winning goals this season.

-The Phantoms have gone to overtime in each of their last three games. In those three games the Phantoms are 2-1 and when going into overtime the Phantoms have a record of 2-2 and a shootout record of 1-1.

-Lewis started both games for the Phantoms this weekend giving him six starts on the year. In two games Lewis faced 78 shots and he turned away 73 of them, posting a 2.50 goals-against-average and a .935 save percentage. For the season, Lewis is 4-1-1 with a 2.43 goals-against-average and .926 save percentage.

-Collins scored his first goal as a Phantom against the Black Hawks since his acquisition from the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders. Collins has three goals on the season.

-The game against Waterloo saw the officials issuea total of 183 penalty minutes. The combined total was a season high for the Phantoms, as was the 80 penalty minutes assessed to the Phantoms.

The Week Ahead

Games 35: Youngstown Phantoms vs Muskegon Lumberjacks (14-14-6,34pts)

The rivalry between the Phantoms and the Lumberjacks will heat back on up at the Covelli Centre on Friday, January 28, at 7:30 p.m. (EST). The Lumberjacks make their second trip to Youngstown where they have posted a record 0-1. The most recent matchup took place on January 14 at the L.C. Walker Arena where the Lumberjacks beat the Phantoms 6-2. The four goal margin was the first time all season that a game between these two has been decided by more than one goal. Friday night's meeting is game one of a home and home series between these Eastern Conference foes.

Game 36: Youngstown Phantoms at Muskegon Lumberjacks

The Phantoms will travel to Muskegon for a 7:15 p.m. (EST) for game two of the home and home series against the Lumberjacks. In four games played between these two teams there have been a total of 243 penalty minutes issued for an average of 60.75 minutes per game. The Phantoms trail Muskegon by five points for fourth place in the east.

Quote of the Week

Phantoms Head Coach Curtis Carr talks goaltender Greg Lewis, forward Cody Strang and unsung hero Nilan Nagy after the win over the Waterloo Black Hawks:

"Greg has been playing exceptionally well," said Carr. "Cody made a great play to win the game. The unsung hero of this game was Nilan Nagy who blocked four shots in the overtime frame after losing his stick behind our net. If it was not for his self sacrifice we would not have won this game."

Events and Promotions

"Behind the Glass" with the Youngstown Phantoms: Listen to "Behind the Glass" with the Youngstown Phantoms on ESPN 1240 from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 25. You can also listen to the show on ESPN's website, www.wbbw.com. This week's show will feature Phantoms defensemen Jordan Young and forward Mike Ambrosia. Listeners can call into the show at 330-782-1240 or 330-782-9229.

Youngstown State University Night: On Friday, January 28, the Phantoms are hosting a Youngstown State University Night against the Muskegon Lumberjacks. Tickets can be purchased at the box office for $5 with a YSU ID. A live penguin will be on hand to celebrate the night and it will be brought to the Covelli Centre by the National Aviary of Pittsburgh.

Phantoms Trading Card Set #2 Giveaway Presented by R.L. Smith Graphics: The Phantoms will be giving away trading card set # 2 on Friday, January 28, to the first 500 fans in attendance. Set number two will feature Sparky, Matthew O'Connor, Nilan Nagy, Stephen Collins, Adam Berkle and John Fritsche. There will be a postgame autograph session with all the Phantoms featured in this set.

Phantoms Dollar Beer and Dollar Hot Dog Night: On Friday, February 4, the Phantoms will be holding their fourth dollar beer and dollar hot dog night of the season Come out and support the Phantoms as they take on the visiting Tri-City Storm with cheap food and drink.

Phantoms Trading Card Set #3 Giveaway Presented by R.L. Smith Graphics: The Phantoms will be giving away trading card set # 3 on Friday, February 5, to the first 500 fans in attendance. Set number three will feature Assistant Coach Brad Patterson, Kevin Liss, Ty Loney, Quinn Smith, Justin Stevens and Cody Strang. There will be a postgame autograph session with all the Phantoms featured in this set.

Full and partial season and group 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, please visit www.youngstownphantoms.com.

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United States Hockey League Stories from January 24, 2011


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