Greetings from the Ohio Turnpike's eastbound lane as we travel the final leg of the Fargo-to-Youngstown journey. The only way the Phantoms will make the 15-hour return trip to North Dakota this season is if both clubs advance to the Clark Cup Final, which is a shame in a way because the Urban Plains Center is a premier venue in this league and a great place to watch (or call) a hockey game.

On the other hand, it's still a 30-hour round trip.

Travel considerations aside, it truly was a worthwhile weekend for the Phantoms as they put a hasty end to a four-game winless streak and started a positive run all in a 27-hour span. Friday's 3-1 win was a study in patience and persistence, with a clutch penalty kill or two in the end.

Considering Fargo's power play ranks as the best in the USHL, the Phantoms had quite the task ahead of them when they faced a two-man disadvantage in the final moment of Friday's third period. But the PK unit came through, capped off when Scott Mayfield banked in a shorthanded empty-netter to seal the deal.

As promised, here are the radio highlights from Friday's broadcast:

- Brett Gensler breaks the ice for Youngstown, tying the score at 1 late in the second frame.

- Gensler tips the power-play game winner under goalie Cody Campell off an assist from Andrej Sustr.

- Mayfield's bank shot drains the drama from the proceedings in the game's final minute.

Saturday's 6-3 Youngstown triumph had a similar look to the previous game through 30 minutes, with Fargo clutching a 1-0 lead. Once again though, the Phantoms struck back to grab a 2-1 lead, this time on goals by Stuart Higgins and (yes, him again) Gensler before the middle frame expired.

With the score tied 2-2 early in the third, Tom Serratore, who had gone the first eight games without a single point, exploded for two goals and an assist in the final period to anchor the winning effort. Back to the goal calls:

- Dan Senkbeil's power-play drive is deflected by Higgins into the goal, although you wouldn't know it from my call, since I gave Senkbeil all the credit. Nonetheless, enjoy the excitement...

- Gensler gets a fortuitous bounce to make it 2-1 just after a Youngstown power-play expired. 

- Gensler finds the empty net from center ice on his backhand to push the lead to 5-3.

- Serratore caps his three-point period with an empty-netter of his own, sending the Fargo fans to the exits!

I have every intention of making this a weekly feature, so give me your feedback at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .