Expansion trip under way

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

The Youngstown Phantoms are hoping to convert the lessons learned from two close defeats in Green Bay into a successful road trip against expansion teams that closes their pre-Christmas schedule.

Tonight, the Phantoms (9-12-1, 22 points) will be in Dubuque, Iowa, to take on the Western Conference’s first-place Fighting Saints (15-4-2, 32 points).

Saturday, the Phantoms’ trip will conclude with a visit to Muskegon, Mich, to play the Lumberjacks (10-8-5, 23 points).

Last weekend, the Green Bay Gamblers, the top team in the Eastern Conference, defeated the Phantoms by scores of 3-2 and 3-1.

“We are playing well but we need to play better,” Phantoms coach Curtis Carr said. “Systematically we are doing things well and this week we need to focus on scoring goals and capitalizing on our opportunities.”

The Phantoms and the Fighting Saints have met twice this season, the most recent matchup was won by Dubuque 1-0 at the Covelli Centre on Nov. 20.

“Our defense played really well last time,” Phantoms goaltender Matthew O’Connor said. “If we continue to play the way we have and I play solid in net I think we can get a very positive result.”

The Phantoms are 0-2 against the first-year Saints. Dubuque has scored 74 goals scored in 21 games. Three of their players —

Vinny Saponari with 30 points, John Gaudreau with 24 and Shane Sooth with 22 — are among the USHL’s Top 10 scorers.

“It’s important for our whole team to play well defensively,” Phantoms defenseman Scott Mayfield said. “We are going to prepare like we usually do no matter who we are facing.

“We also know that having O’Connor back there is an advantage for us,” Mayfield said.

In 84 minutes played against Dubuque, O’Connor has posted a 0.72 goals-against-average and a .973 save percentage.

The Phantoms are making their second trip to Muskegon. On Nov. 28, Youngstown won there, 3-2.

The Lumberjacks goaltending has been suspect all season as they have allowed a league high 90 goals in 23 games.

“It’s important for us to get on them early,” Phantoms captain Adam Berkle said. “We need to get a lot of shots on net and capitalize on our opportunities.”

After Saturday’s game, the Phantoms will return to their families for a Christmas break before returning for a Dec. 28 game against the Indiana Ice.