YOUNGSTOWN PHANTOMS At a glance

The match-up: The Soo Indians (12-0-5, 29 points) vs. the Youngstown Phantoms (8-2-4, 20 points) in a pair of Junior-A North American Hockey League games, Friday and Saturday at The Ice Zone. Both games begin at 7 p.m.
About the series: This series marks the first meeting of the season between the Youngstown Phantoms and the Soo Indians, a team that hails from Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. Youngstown had registered at least one point in the standings in 12 straight games before losing, 6-1, to the USA 17-and-Under National Team Wednesday night in Ann Arbor, Mich. It was the first time this season a game the Phantoms failed to win was decided by more than one goal. Although the Soo Indians technically do not have a loss, they have dropped five games via the overtime shootout format (by NAHL rule, they were credited with regulation ties in those contests). The Indians, who last saw action on Sunday when they notched a 6-1 victory at Toledo, have now won five straight games. Soo, the first-place team in the NAHL's North Division, holds a six-point lead over the second-place club -- the USA National Team (11-5-1, 23 points). The Phantoms enter the weekend in third place, one point ahead of fourth-place Springfield (9-2-1, 19 points). Springfield is the only NAHL North club to allow fewer goals (28) than Youngstown (30) this season. Carson Strang leads the Phantoms in scoring after 14 games with 15 points (nine goals, six assists) and fellow center Tommy Kolar is second with 13 points (five goals, eight assists). Strang and Kolar are two of the three Phantoms who have scored two goals in a single game this season. The other is right wing Brian Moore. Youngstown won six straight games between September 27 and October 15, but has gone 2-1-3 since that stretch. The Phantoms have played eight straight games away from home since beating the Cleveland Barons, 3-0, at The Ice Zone on October 10. That stretch includes four road games and four games at the NAHL's Twins Cities Showcase tournament in Minneapolis. The Soo Indians are led by high-scoring forward Logan Bittle who has 26 points (12 goals, 14 assists), and goaltenders Adam Dekker (6-0-4, 1.84 goals-against average) and Derek MacIntyre (6-0-1, 1.78 goals-against average).
About the series: This series marks the first meeting of the season between the Youngstown Phantoms and the Soo Indians, a team that hails from Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. Youngstown had registered at least one point in the standings in 12 straight games before losing, 6-1, to the USA 17-and-Under National Team Wednesday night in Ann Arbor, Mich. It was the first time this season a game the Phantoms failed to win was decided by more than one goal. Although the Soo Indians technically do not have a loss, they have dropped five games via the overtime shootout format (by NAHL rule, they were credited with regulation ties in those contests). The Indians, who last saw action on Sunday when they notched a 6-1 victory at Toledo, have now won five straight games. Soo, the first-place team in the NAHL's North Division, holds a six-point lead over the second-place club -- the USA National Team (11-5-1, 23 points). The Phantoms enter the weekend in third place, one point ahead of fourth-place Springfield (9-2-1, 19 points). Springfield is the only NAHL North club to allow fewer goals (28) than Youngstown (30) this season. Carson Strang leads the Phantoms in scoring after 14 games with 15 points (nine goals, six assists) and fellow center Tommy Kolar is second with 13 points (five goals, eight assists). Strang and Kolar are two of the three Phantoms who have scored two goals in a single game this season. The other is right wing Brian Moore. Youngstown won six straight games between September 27 and October 15, but has gone 2-1-3 since that stretch. The Phantoms have played eight straight games away from home since beating the Cleveland Barons, 3-0, at The Ice Zone on October 10. That stretch includes four road games and four games at the NAHL's Twins Cities Showcase tournament in Minneapolis. The Soo Indians are led by high-scoring forward Logan Bittle who has 26 points (12 goals, 14 assists), and goaltenders Adam Dekker (6-0-4, 1.84 goals-against average) and Derek MacIntyre (6-0-1, 1.78 goals-against average).
Tickets: Tickets for this weekend's series vs. the Soo Indians -- and all Phantoms home games -- are available by calling (330) 965-7500 or visiting The Ice Zone, which is located at 360 McClurg Road in Boardman. Tickets are also available at the door on game days. Individual game tickets are priced at $9 for Club Level seats, $7 for general admission, and $5 for children ages 10 and under. Season ticket packages and group discounts (20 or more) are also available.