YOUNGSTOWN PHANTOMS SCOUTING REPORT

The match-up: The Junior-A North American Hockey League Youngstown Phantoms (11-7-6, 28 points) plays host to the USA 17-and-Under National Team (16-9-1, 33 points) tonight and Saturday. Opening face-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. both nights at The Ice Zone in Boardman.
Back in action: Youngstown was idle last weekend. The Phantoms' last game was Nov. 26 when they lost at Cleveland, 5-4, in an overtime shoot-out. Youngstown has gained at least one point in the standings in each of its last three games. The Phantoms notched back-to-back wins over the Toledo Ice Diggers and Cleveland Barons and earned a regulation tie at Cleveland. Goaltender Tyler Sims was credited with 50 saves in the Phantoms' 4-1 triumph over Cleveland on Nov. 22, which helped him earn NAHL North Division Defensive Player of the Week honors. Sims has an 8-4-4 record with a .920 save percentage. Youngstown is 6-3-0 at The Ice Zone this season. The Phantoms were 2-1-1 overall in September, 6-2-3 in October, and 3-4-2 in November. Carson Strang leads the Phantoms in goals (10) and points (18) and Rob Rassey is the leading assist man (13).
Added punch: Youngstown coach Bob Mainhardt expects newly-acquired center Joe Federoff to be a key performer during the second half of the season. Mainhardt traded center Tommy Kolar and left wing Kevin Huck to the Toledo Ice Diggers in exchange for Federoff in a deal that was finalized Nov. 26. The 6-foot-3, 200-pounder from Pittsburgh was in a Youngstown uniform for the first time that night and he picked up an assist. Federoff was Toledo's leading scorer this season, registering 23 points (10 goals, 13 assists) in 23 games. He also gained valuable experience last season as a member of the Pittsburgh Forge, a team that captured both the NAHL title and the Junior-A national championship. "We're real excited to have Joe on our hockey club," Mainhardt said. "He's a big guy who can put the puck in the net. He gives us that proven goal scorer that we've needed. We've been missing that the first half of the season. I think he's really going to help us down the stretch."
Kowal for the defense: Through the first 24 games of the season, the Phantoms have allowed an average of 2.7 goals per game. Although he continually stresses the importance of overall team defense, Mainhardt is particularly pleased with the job his defensemen have done under the tutelage of assistant coach Tom Kowal. "Tom has taken a group of defensemen that nobody gave a whole lot of credit to and done a really good job. Day in and day out, our defensemen have just been outstanding, and that's due to Tom. As a unit, they're outstanding."
The visitors: The 17-and-Under USA National Team is led by forward Philip Kessel who has 35 points (21 goals, 14 assists). He also has a team-high eight power-play goals. Team USA also has a pair of 20-point scorers in Jack Skille (15 goals, nine assists, 24 points) and Nate Gerbe (12 goals, nine assists, 21 points). Jeff Frazee (14-3-1, 2.54 goals-against average) gets the bulk of the work in the nets. Last weekend, Team USA was swept in a two-game series at Cleveland, losing by scores of 4-1 and 4-2. The Phantoms and Team USA have split the four previous games they have played against each other this season with each team going unbeaten on its home ice. Youngstown notched a pair of 3-2 victories over Team USA at The Ice Zone on Sept. 27-28. At Ann Arbor, Mich., Team USA registered wins by scores of 4-3 (shoot-out) on Sept. 20, and then 6-1 on Oct. 29.
Tickets available: Tickets for this weekend's games and all Phantoms home games are available by calling (330) 965-7500 or visiting The Ice Zone, 360 McClurg Road. Tickets are also available at the door on game days. Individual game tickets are $9 for Club Level seats, $7 for General Admission, and $5 for children ages 10 and under.
Upcoming: The Phantoms are on the road, visiting Toledo for two games Dec. 12-13 and at the Soo Indians Dec. 19.
Phantoms Goals (69): Carson Strang (10), Aaron Rhyner (7), Jared Katz (6), Tommy Kolar (6), Anthony Canzoneri (5), Charley Fetzer (4), Matt Lombardo (4), Dan McClain (4), Mike McMullen (4), Rob Rassey (4), Kevin Huck (3), Brian Moore (3), Christian Beaudry (2), Greg Brown (2), J.C. Velasquez (2), Jim Roach (2), Kyle Richardson (1).
Phantoms Assists (97): Rob Rassey (13), Tommy Kolar (10), Anthony Canzoneri (9), Carson Strang (8), Jared Katz (7), Greg Brown (6), Ryan Kidd (6), Matt Lombardo (6), Brian Moore (5), Kevin Huck (4), Charley Fetzer (3), Mike McMullen (3), Aaron Rhyner (3), J.C. Velasquez (3), Kevin Hicks (2), Dan McClain (2), Casey Russell (2), Christian Beaudry (1), Ryan Grimaldi (1), Kyle Richardson (1), Jim Roach (1), Joe Federoff (1).
Phantoms Points (166): Carson Strang (18), Rob Rassey (17), Tommy Kolar (16), Anthony Canzoneri (14), Jared Katz (13), Matt Lombardo (10), Aaron Rhyner (10), Greg Brown (8), Brian Moore (8), Charley Fetzer (7), Kevin Huck (7), Mike McMullen (7), Ryan Kidd (6), Dan McClain (6), J.C. Velasquez (5), Christian Beaudry (3), Jim Roach (3), Kevin Hicks (2), Kyle Richardson (2), Casey Russell (2), Ryan Grimaldi (1), Joe Federoff (1).
Phantoms Goaltenders: John Murray (3-3-2, 238 saves, 24 goals against, .908 save percentage) and Tyler Sims (8-4-4, 481 saves, 42 goals against, .920 save percentage).
-- Youngstown Phantoms