Phantoms Pages: Week 21
Published on February 21, 2011 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Youngstown Phantoms News Release
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - The Youngstown Phantoms (16-24-4,36pts) opened a seven game homestand with a split this past weekend. The Phantoms will have another full week of practice before they head into a three-in-three this weekend at the Covelli Centre.
The Week in Review
Game 43: Phantoms Earn First USHL Shutout, Blank Chicago 6-0
The Phantoms took on the Chicago Steel (9-27-7,25pts) in the second game of a home-and-home series on Friday night. The Phantoms wasted no time finding the back of the net in the opening period. Just three minutes into the contest, Jiri Sekac buried a one timer from the near post on the Phantoms first power play of the game. Fresh off his all-star selection, Scott Mayfield beat Chicago netminder Connor Wilson with a wrist shot from the point with less than two minutes left in the opening frame to go up 2-0 heading into the first intermission. The Phantoms added three more goals in the second period, two of which came on the power play, giving the Phantoms three power play goals on their first there odd man opportunities. The second period was highlighted by a give and go goal between Adam Berkle and Stu Higgins. Berkle hit Higgins with a pass just inside of the Chicago blue line and Higgins returned the puck to Berkle at the top of the near circle. As Berkle drove towards the front of the net, he moved the puck to his forehand and then back to his backhand as he put the puck past Wilson. Going into the third period, the Phantoms had their biggest lead of the season at 5-0. In the final frame, the Phantoms added their sixth goal of the game as Higgins scored to record his third point (1g,2a) of the contest and the Phantoms fourth power play goal of the night. Five other Phantoms players recorded a multi-point game against the Steel, Berkle (1g,1a), Ty Loney (1g,1a), Mayifled (1g,1a), Sekac (1g,1a) and Cody Strang (2a). Jordan Tibbett earned his first shutout of the season and the Phantoms first since joining the USHL last season.
Game 44: Phantoms Fall to Muskegon in Regular Season Series Finale, 4-2
On Saturday night, the Phantoms renewed their rivalry with the Muskgeon Lumberjacks (18-18-8,44pts) for the seventh and final regular season game between these two squads. The Phantoms opened the scoring in the first period when Loney beat Paul Berrafato on a fantastic feed from Cody Strang who was along the far side boards in the offensive zone. The power play goal put the Phantoms up 1-0 and it was the third point in two nights for both players. The Youngstown lead did not hold up for long as the Lumberjacks brought the game back even at one just 1:30 later when Christian Kraus beat Tibbett over the glove hand. In the second period, the Lumberjacks added goals number two and three of the contest and the highlight goal came shorthanded when Matt DeBlouw found Brendan Woods on a two-on-one that beat Tibbett on the blocker side. The Phantoms seemed to have scored a game tying goal at the ten minute mark as Skeac found the back of the net on a wrap around chance. The play was waved off due to an apparent Phantoms player in the crease despite protest from the Phantoms bench. Going into the third period, the Phantoms trailed 3-1 and Stephen Collins cut that deficit to one as he scored two minutes into the final period. The Phantoms continued to press for the tying goal, putting 14 shots on goal, but they were unable to bring the game tied at three. The Lumberjacks scored at the 1:08 mark to seal the 4-2 victory finishing the regular season 4-2-1 against the Phantoms.
Phantom Phacts
-The Phantoms 6-0 shutout against Chicago was the organizations first since joining the USHL last season. The shutout was also Tibbett's first and the Phantoms first of the season.
-Sekac currently holds a four game point streak with five points (3g,2a). Over the weekend he tallied two goals and one assist and he still leads all Phantoms scorers with 34 points (14g,20a).
-This past weekend Ryan Belonger's three game point streak came to an end with three points (2g,1a). Belonger is currently fourth on the roster with 23 points (13g,10a).
-Mayfield has tallied three points (2g,1a) over his last three games and he is currently second among Phantoms defensemen with ten points (5g,5a).
-The Phantoms have converted on 33.3% of their power play chances in their last five games. Over those last five games the Phantoms have scored on nine of their last 27 power play chances and they have moved up to the 13 best power play in the league at 13.2%.
Playoff Push 2011
The Phantoms picked up two points this past weekend putting them one point ahead of the Waterloo Black Hawks for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Coming into this weekend the Black Hawks have four games at hand and they will face off against Des Moines on Tuesday, Omaha on Friday, Cedar Rapids on Saturday and Green Bay on Sunday. The Phantoms and Black Hawks will meet twice more this season, March 5 at the Covelli Centre and March 11 in Waterloo.
The Week Ahead
Games 45 and 46: Youngstown Phantoms vs Team USA
The Phantoms will take on the National Development team for the fourth time this season and the first time since January 15 at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube when the Phantoms won 2-1 in shootout. The puck drops between these two teams on Friday, February 25, and Saturday, February 26, both games starting at 7:30 p.m. This season the Phantoms have posted a 1-1-1 record and two games this weekend will leave only two more between these two teams. Sekac leads the Phantoms with three points (1g,2a) in three games against the National Development Team.
Game 47: Youngstown Phantoms vs Chicago Steel
The Phantoms will be facing the Steel for the third time this month and the second time at the Covelli Centre in the past nine days at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 27. After Sunday's game the Phantoms will face the Steel one more time, as they close out the 2010-11 season on April 9 at the Covelli Centre. The Phantoms are coming off of a 6-0 win over the Steel this past Friday.
Quote of the Week
Phantoms Assistant Coach Anthony Noreen comments on how close the Phantoms have become after never giving up despite a tough no goal call against the Lumberjacks:
"Our guys never gave up," said Noreen. "You can tell our guys have become tighter in the locker room and we could not have asked for much more after 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, February 22. You can also listen to the show on ESPN's website, www.wbbw.com. This week's show will feature Phantoms forward Stu Higgins and defenseman Scott Mayfield. Listeners can call into the show at 330-782-1240 or 330-782-9229.
Phantoms Trading Card Set #4 Giveaway Presented by R. L. Smith Graphics: The Phantoms will be giving away trading card set # 4 on Friday, February 25, to the first 500 fans in attendance. Set number four features Assistant Coach Anthony Noreen, Chris Bradley, Alex Gacek, Stu Higgins, Ben Paulides and JT Stenglein. There will be a postgame autograph session with all the Phantoms featured in this set located next to the Key Bank Team Shop.
Local Hero's Night: The Phantoms are hosting a local hero's night on Saturday, February 26, against Team USA. The Northeastern Ohio Police Department will be taking on the Northeastern Ohio Fire Department in a preliminary game which is scheduled to start at 3:30 p.m. Tickets to the Phantoms game on Saturday night will serve as admission into the charity game between these two public service departments.
Attention Austintown: The Frank Ohl Intermediate School Choir will be performing the National Anthem on Friday night against Team USA. The Lloyd Elementary School Parent Teacher Association will also be in attendance. Come out on Friday night and support the Frank Ohl Intermediate School and your own local school district.
Family 4 Pack: Fans can purchase a Family 4 Pack of tickets for the Phantoms game against the Steel on Sunday afternoon. A purchase of a Family 4 Pack gets your Phantoms fans four tickets for just $20 for the 2:00 p.m. face off.
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.
United States Hockey League Stories from February 21, 2011
- Former Stampede Defenseman Goligoski Traded to Dallas - Sioux Falls Stampede
- Waterloo Black Hawks Name Players of the Week - Waterloo Black Hawks
- Gamblers Jersey Photo Contest - Green Bay Gamblers
- USHL Thrives During Hockey Weekend Across America - USHL
- Lincoln Stars Trio Sweeps Weekly USHL Awards - USHL
- Mayfield and Strang Named USHL All-Stars - Youngstown Phantoms
- Phantoms Pages: Week 21 - Youngstown Phantoms
- Lumberjacks' New Website to Launch Thursday - Muskegon Lumberjacks
- Stampede Weekly Update: Surging Stampede Home Sunday Vs Lincoln - Sioux Falls Stampede
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.
