ICE HOCKEY Phantoms on the road again tonight at Toledo

Youngstown hopes to rebound after a pair of losses to the USA National team.
BOARDMAN -- After opening the regular season last weekend with a pair of lopsided losses to the USA 18-and-Under National Team in Ann Arbor, Mich., the Youngstown Phantoms Junior-A hockey club will be on the road again tonight against the Ice Diggers in Toledo.
After surrendering just one goal in its final three exhibition games, the Phantoms lost to Team USA by scores of 9-4 and 10-4.
Before the season began, the Phantoms shut out the New England Huskies (4-0) and Boston Junior Bruins (3-0) then defeated New Hampshire Monarchs, 2-1, in an overtime shoot-out.
Allowing 19 goals in two games is alarming, but Youngstown coach Bob Mainhardt said he believes his defensemen and young goaltenders will settle in and play better.
Team developing
"Right now, it's hard to get a real good read on our club," Mainhardt said. "The weekend before, we played some very talented teams out East and we were very excited about the way we performed.
"Then we ended up doing about a 180 [turn] the following weekend," Mainhardt said. "We're making some adjustments, stepping things up and challenging some guys a little bit more. But at the same time, we don't want to put too much pressure on them. There's a fine line there."
Mainhardt described newcomers Jeremy Smith and Jimmy Brennan as "leaders and very good defensemen." Returning players Mark Zarbo and Chris Smith are expected to be key members of the defensive corps.
With last season's number-one goaltender Tyler Sims off to Providence College and backup John Murray now playing for the USHL's Sioux Falls Stampede, first-year Phantoms Jerry Kuhn and Tommy O'Brien are the new netminders.
"We do have young guys and rookies in some pretty important positions, but we're still confident we have a group that's going to get it done," Mainhardt said. "We'll have a better read on our club in a few weeks, but I think we'll be fine."
Michonski joins club
Free agent forward Dale Michonski of Chicago has signed with Youngstown after being released by the USHL's Indianapolis Ice.
"Michonski is an energy, grinder-type forward that should bring a pretty good physical presence to the team," Mainhardt said.
To make room for Michonski, defenseman Kevin Hicks, who has a fractured vertebra in his back, will be placed on the injured reserve list. Hicks is expected to be sidelined for approximately six weeks.
Left winger Aaron Rhyner, who led Youngstown with 29 goals last season, scored three times in the two-game series in Ann Arbor over the weekend.