The Team | COUNTDOWN (32): Phantoms vs. Team USA | ||||
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U.S. NATIONAL TEAM @ YOUNGSTOWN PHANTOMSCOVELLI CENTRE, YOUNGSTOWN, OHIOSATURDAY, JANUARY 16, 2010GAME PREVIEWTrying to jump back into playoff position, the Youngstown Phantoms play host to the U.S. National Team for the first of two games in three nights against the Red, White & Blue. This matchup features Team USA’s Under-18 unit, which stopped the Phantoms 9-3 in Ann Arbor, Mich., Dec. 19, Youngstown’s largest margin of defeat on the season.
Despite being winless since Dec. 29, the Phantoms (13-16-2, 28 points / T-5th in East) remain only two points behind fourth-place Chicago, which currently holds the final postseason spot in the East Division. F Andrew Lamont’s two goals kept Youngstown close to Fargo last Saturday, but the Force shut out everyone else in the Purple and Orange, handing the Phantoms their fifth-straight loss and second in a row at Covelli Centre.
 One of two squads that compete as Team USA (9-18-3, 21 points / 7th in East), the Under-18s (7-5-1) have acquitted themselves quite well in USHL competition compared to their younger counterparts, the Under-17s (2-13-2). The older group’s previous contest didn’t go as planned, as it was edged 3-1 on the road Jan. 8 in Green Bay, Wisc. F Austin Czarnik’s second-period deposit provided the only offense at the Resch Center against the East’s top team.
PHANTOM PHACTS· Last Saturday against Fargo, the forward line of Lamont, Jefferson Dahl and Cody Strang put together a particularly strong game. On top of Lamont’s two-goal, six-shot night, Dahl earned the primary assists on both tallies and Strang added a helper and four shots of his own. In addition, each member of the three-man unit was +2.
· If one had to focus on one common theme to explain the Phantoms’ recent struggles, lack of offense would be a prime choice. Youngstown has lit the lamp just eight times during its current 0-5-0 streak (1.6/game) and is launching only 23.2 shots per contest since its last win. Just past the midway point of the USHL regular season, the Phantoms are averaging 3.3 goals and 25.8 shots per game.
· After splitting a two-game road series with the U-17s the previous weekend, the Phantoms suffered their first true blowout loss of the season to the U-18s in Ann Arbor Dec. 19. D Luke Eibler authored a pair of assists but he and the Phantoms couldn’t prevent a four-goal first period by the Nationals, matching a season-high against Youngstown.
REAL AMERICAN HEROES· Team USA’s G Jack Campbell is probably still basking in the afterglow of his top-notch performance Jan. 6 in the United States’ gold-medal triumph over Canada in the World Junior Championship. Called on to replace starting G Mike Lee, the Port Huron, Mich., native stopped 32 of 34 shots the rest of the way as America clinched its second first-place finish in the annual tournament. U-18 teammate F Jason Zucker joined Campbell on the WJC roster.
· After earning the NAHL’s rookie of the year award with the Mahoning Valley Phantoms last season, F Brandon Saad of Gibsonia, Pa.,accepted the National Team’s offer to don the Stars & Stripes. Western Pennsylvania’s Stephen Johns also holds down a spot on Team USA; the 6-foot-3 defenseman has played all 13 USHL games on the U-18 schedule.
· D Adam Clendening scored twice, and Czarnik (G, 2 A) and Saad (3 A) each turned in three-point efforts Dec. 19 at the Ice Cube as Team USA registered its biggest offensive output of the season in a 9-3 defeat of visiting Youngstown. The Nationals jumped out to a 5-0 advantage by the opening minutes of the second and netted four power-play goals on the final day of action prior to the USHL’s Winter Break.
UPCOMING PHANTOMS GAMES (ALL TIMES EASTERN)Saturday at 7:15 p.m. vs. TEAM USA – Kelly Pavlik’s 13th Round Night & Thunderstick Giveaway / Youngstown’s own boxing champ Kelly Pavlik will drop the puck on the Phantoms and Team USA’s first matchup at Covelli. Then, meet Phantoms’ players and staff at a special post-game party at Kelly Pavlik’s 13th Round Restaurant in Struthers!
Monday at 6:30 p.m. vs. TEAM USA – Kids’ Day / Buy one adult ticket and receive a FREE children’s ticket! Get postgame autographs from Phantoms players and enjoy kids’ activities throughout the game. **Please note earlier start time**
Friday, January 22 at 8:05 p.m. @ WATERLOO
Saturday, January 23 at 8:05 p.m. @ CEDAR RAPIDS
Friday, January 29 at 7:15 p.m. vs. SIOUX FALLS – Hockey Across America Night / Celebrate the great sport of hockey with Tyler Kennedy of the Pittsburgh Penguins, who will be appearing from 5-7 p.m. Anyone wearing hockey apparel can buy a half-priced ticket to meet the Stanley Cup champion forward, then enjoy the Phantoms’ showdown with Sioux Falls!
CATCH PHANTOMS PHEVER!Phantoms Phever, presented by House of Speed, is an hour-long weekly talk show that brings you an inside look at your Youngstown Phantoms. Join Voice of the Phantoms Matt Gajtka at Jeremiah Bullfrog’s Sports Bar & Grille on US Route 224 in Boardman as he chats with coaches, players and front office staff about northeast Ohio’s most exciting team and the great sport of hockey. Catch Phantoms Phever Tuesdays at 6 p.m. on Youngstown’s ESPN Radio 1240 AM and online at www.wbbw.com!
FOLLOW THE PHANTOMS ALL SEASON LONGESPN 1240 is also the exclusive radio home for the Youngstown Phantoms! Gajtka has the call from all 60 Phantoms regular season games as they roll through their first-ever campaign in the Tier I United States Hockey League. Hockey nuts outside the listening area can log onto www.wbbw.com to utilize the “Listen Live” feature! Fans may also purchase the Phantoms season pass at www.b2tv.com to watch and listen via the B2 Networks’ multimedia game broadcasts.
Also, make “Youngstown Phantoms” your friend on Facebook and follow “ytownphantoms” on Twitter to stay plugged into the Phantoms 24 hours a day, seven days a week!
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| Last Updated ( Friday, 15 January 2010 16:44 ) |
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