The Team | COUNTDOWN TO PUCK DROP (16): at Sioux City | ||||
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YOUNGSTOWN PHANTOMS @ SIOUX CITY MUSKETEERSTYSON EVENTS CENTER, SIOUX CITY, IOWASATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2009 – 8:00 PM (EASTERN)GAME PREVIEWOne quarter of the way through their first USHL season, the Youngstown Phantoms take the frustration accrued during their first shutout loss Friday in Sioux Falls, S.D., south on Interstate 29 to Sioux City, Iowa, for their first showdown with the Musketeers.
The Phantoms (8-6-1=17 pts, T-4th in East) fell by a 3-0 count Friday night to the Sioux Falls Stampede, only Youngtown’s second regulation loss of the season on the road (4-2-1). It was just the second time in the season’s first 15 games that the Phantoms scored fewer than two goals, the other occasion being a 3-1 loss to Tri-City Oct. 24. Youngstown remains within striking distance of first place in the East Division, three points back of both Green Bay and Chicago, each of whom have 20 points.
The Musketeers (6-8-1=13 pts, 6th in West) took to the road last night, upsetting the then-first place Cedar Rapids RoughRiders 3-1 to win three in a row for first time in over a month. Despite being in last place in the West Division as recently as Monday, Sioux City is now only two points short of a tie for third.
PHANTOM PHACTS· G Matt Mahalak earned his fourth-consecutive start last night, a first for a Phantoms netminder this season. The first-year USHLer from Monroe, Mich., dropped to 4-3-1 despite making 29 saves, including a particularly spectacular stop on Sioux Falls F Josh Holmstrom early in the second period.
· The 3-0 loss Friday brought F Brian Dowd’s four-game scoring streak came to a halt, thus tying him with fellow F Brett Gensler for the Phantoms’ longest such run. Dowd has poured it on recently, totaling seven points (two goals, five assists) in his last seven games.
· While this will be Youngstown’s first regular-season trip to Sioux City and the Tyson Events Center, the Phantoms already have good memories of the place. F Joe Zarbo’s late goal gave the Phantoms a 3-2 preseason win over Tri-City Sept. 26 in their final game of the USHL Fall Classic.
MUSKETEER MINUTIAE· After evening its record at 3-3-0 Oct. 23, Sioux City suffered through a 0-5-1 nosedive that concluded with a
 tight 3-2 loss at first-place Omaha last Friday. A pair of shootout victories over West Division rivals Des Moines and Sioux Falls righted the Musketeers’ ship, with G Willie Yanakeff picking up both tiebreaker triumphs. · F Stephan Vigier nailed a pair of goals in last night’s win in Cedar Rapids; the Notre Dame, Manitoba native continues to lead the Sioux City scoring parade with seven goals and four assists. Vigier broke into the USHL last year for the Musketeers, contributing 15 goals and 48 points in 51 games.
· Sioux City is one of two original USHL franchises remaining (Waterloo is the other) and the Musketeers have claimed the Clark Cup three times, most recently following the 2001-02 season. Luke Strand is in his first year as head coach/GM and notable NHL alumni include Max Pacioretty, Sam Gagner, Columbus Blue Jacket Rostislav Klesla and Pittsburgh Penguin Ruslan Fedotenko.
UPCOMING HOME GAMES AT THE COVELLI CENTRE…Friday, November 27 at 7:15 p.m. vs. Lincoln – Bald Is Beautiful Night / Anyone bald (or shaved) gets in for half price! Buy tickets at your local Casal’s Salon – $3 from each ticket bought there will go to Wigs For Kids, supporting children undergoing chemotherapy.
Saturday, November 28 at 7:15 p.m. vs. Lincoln – Hockey Holidays / Santa Claus visits the Phantoms! Meet the Jolly Old Elf, make ornaments with the Phantoms and enter to win Santa hats decorated by the players.
Friday, December 4 at 7:15 p.m. vs. Chicago – Pheed the Valley / Join the Phantoms and WFMJ-TV in donating to Second Harvest Food Bank. Bring a non-perishable food item and receive a half-priced ticket OR donate five and get a free ticket to a future game!
Saturday, December 5 at 7:15 p.m. vs. Chicago – Toys For Tots Night & Teddy Bear Toss / WYTV-TV combines with the Marines’ Toys For Tots program on this special night. Bring a new, unwrapped toy to the Covelli Centre and receive a half-priced ticket. Also, donate a new stuffed animal by throwing it onto the ice after the Phantoms score their first goal!
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 or 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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