Phantoms adjust for 3-game week

By Tom Williams

Tonight’s game at the Covelli Centre will include a Salute to Veterans.

YOUNGSTOWN — The Youngstown Phantoms’ first three-game week of their expansion United States Hockey League season has created a need for adjustments.

“We’ve had to change our practice routine a little bit,” said Phantoms coach Bob Mainhardt as he prepared his team for three home games with 75 hours. “Typically, Monday and Tuesday are hard-work days. [This week], they are a little bit more [devoted to] game preparation.”

Tonight at 7:15 at the Covelli Centre, the Phantoms will open a two-game series against the Green Bay Gamblers (7-3-2, 16 points), the first-place team in the East Division.

“They were the regular-season champions last year and are back in first,” said Mainhardt of the Gamblers. “They are a very good, physical team that mirrors our style.”

The Phantoms (6-4-1, 13 points), who are tied with Indiana for fourth place, also will play host to the Gamblers on Friday at 7:15 p.m. Mainhardt expects these games to be fast-paced and physical “which I think for our fans is the best type of game.”

To prepare for a midweek contest, Mainhardt has adjusted the team’s practice schedule.

“It changes the whole weekly approach,” Mainhardt said. “We’re pretty used to having to change on the fly and make adjustments. We’ll definitely be ready.”

This week will conclude on Saturday with another 7:15 p.m. home game, this one against the second-place Chicago Steel (7-4-1, 15 points).

“We’ve got to make sure that our energy levels are up,” said Mainhardt of the extra game.

After a 2-4-1 start, the Phantoms have won four straight games, including last weekend’s sweep of a two-game series against the Des Moines Buccaneers.

Rich Young, a 6-foot-3, 215-pound forward, scored the game-winning goal in last Thursday’s 4-3 win, the Phantoms’ first at the Covelli Centre. Brian Dowd and Brett Gensler had assists on the goal.

The Phantoms rallied from a 2-0 deficit, with Jefferson Dahl, Ryan Jasinsky and Nick Czinder also scoring.

In Friday’s 5-4 win, the Phantoms jumped out to a 5-1 lead on goals by Gensler, Dowd, Czinder, Adam Berkle and Taylor Holstrom.

Holstrom and Gensler each have 10 points to lead the Phantoms in scoring.

Tonight’s game will include a Salute to Veterans.

williams@vindy.com