Sunday, February 21, 2010
Youngstown has not won a home game since Jan. 18 after falling to Omaha 3-1 at the Covelli Centre.
By JOHN KOVACH
Vindicattor sports staff
YOUNGSTOWN — Even though the Youngstown Phantoms are not winning games, they and their opponents in the United States Hockey League are winning over the fans with their high quality and entertaining style of play.
The almost 2,000 fans in attendance at Saturday night’s game appeared to have a great time despite the fact that it was the same old story — Youngstown lost to the talented Omaha Lancers for the second straight night, 3-1, extending its home losing streak to seven games.
The Phantoms, who lost to the Lancers Friday night, 4-1, have not won a home game since Jan. 18. They’ve lost 14 of 18 games in 2010 after going 13-14 in 2009.
Saturday was Mario Lemieux Foundation Night, with Pittsburgh Penguins’ memorabilia auctioned off to raise money for Lemieux’s foundation to fight cancer.
Interim coach Curt Carr dropped to 0-3 since replacing Bob Mainhardt this week in a move team owners thought could turn around the team’s misfortunes.
Although Youngstown jumped to a 1-0 lead in the first period on Brett Gensler’s goal with assists from Cody Strang and Ben Paulides at 9:25, Omaha (32-12-3, 67 points, first place in West Division) struck for all three of its goals in the second period against goalie Matt Mahalak and shut out the Phantoms the rest of the way.
Youngstown (15-29-2, 32 points, tied for sixth in the East Division) has the same problems under Carr it had under Mainhardt — insufficient offense and inconsistent defense.
Omha enjoyed a 35-28 shots advantage on Saturday, but there was some silver lining in the clouds, and some hope.
“We had a hard time scoring, It is the same old story,” said Carr. “We showed a lot of energy and had a lot of opportunities, but their goalie [Jeff Teglia] played a good game. And they have some of the top scorers in the league, and if they get an opportunity to score, they will.”
Teglia saved 27 of 28 shots while Mahalak was 32-for-35.
Carr said he saw some improvements in the Phantoms’ play overall.
“We played well and were clicking in the [defensive]-zone, and we played well on our power plays and better defensively overall,” said Carr, who is unsure if he will stick with Mahalak in goal in the next game, or instead go with Jordan Tibbett.
“We’ll decide that next week,” said Carr.
Youngstown begins a five-game road trip Friday at Cedar Rapids at 8:05 p.m.
The Phantoms’ next home game will be March 12 against Sioux City at 7:15 p.m.
Omaha bunched goals from Camden Wojtala, Tom Craig and Seth Ambroz against Mahalak in the second period to build a 3-1 advantage, and then the Lancers’ defense stepped up foil any Phantom comeback attempt.
The Lancers tied the score in the second period at 1-1 when Wojtala scored with assists from Troy Power and C.J. Ludwig with 18:14 left.
kovach@vindy.com