Red-hot Phantoms take big streak to Green Bay

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

The Youngstown Phantoms will take their four-game winning streak into one of the USHL’s toughest arenas.

Tonight and Saturday at 8:05, the Phantoms will take on the defending champion Gamblers in their Green Bay, Wis., arena.

With 30 points, the Gamblers (14-4-2) are tied with Cedar Rapids for the top spot in the Eastern Conference. The Phantoms (9-10-1, 19 points) are in fifth place, one point behind Waterloo.

Their recent inspired play can be attributed in part to the outstanding play by goaltender Matthew O’Connor. In his last four games, O’Connor has recorded a 1.60 goals-against-average and a .940 save percentage.

O’Connor has started 12 straight games dating to Oct. 29 and he trails Chicago netminder Connor Wilson for the most minutes played by only 49 minutes.

“I have been working a lot with my goaltending coach,” O’Connor. “I have been working on being more in control for the second save and on my post save response.

“I have been more relaxed and with my size the more controlled I am the easier it is for me,” O’Connor said.

Last Saturday’s emotional 4-3 victory over Team USA extended the Phantoms’ win streak to four.

“It was a big win for us,” Phantoms forward Mike Ambrosia said. “Heading into a big weekend a win like that over a really good USA squad does a lot for our team. It really helps boost our confidence early in the season.”

The Gamblers had an eight-game winning streak until last Saturday’s 5-4 loss to Dubuque.

“Picking up two wins will do a lot for our team,” Ambrosia said. “We dug ourselves a little bit of a hole early [in the season] and a big weekend will mean a lot with only one week before the holiday break.”

Four points and two wins would put the Phantoms above .500 for the first time since Oct. 23.

The Phantoms and Gamblers have met twice this season with each team winning once. The Phantoms’ gameplan will remain the same heading into Green Bay, a lot of shots and physical play at both ends of the ice.

“Being physical does a lot,” defenseman Kevin Liss said. “It not only separates the man from the puck but it also prevents the other teams forwards from trying to get to fancy.”

In the first of two meetings of this season the Phantoms picked up one of their seven one-goal victories as they defeated Green Bay 3-2.

Two weeks later, the Gamblers returned to the Covelli Centre and handed the Phantoms a 2-0 loss.

In games against Green Bay, the Phantoms have seen goal scoring from Ryan Belonger, Ty Loney and Quinn Smith. O’Connor has allowed four goals on 67 shots.