Phantoms’ Carr is seeing progress

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN — Three games into Curt Carr’s tenure as Youngstown Phantoms interim coach and general manager, his optimism about this group of young hockey players hasn’t waned.

“I’m excited about our team right now, even more so than a week ago when I got the job,” said the native son of Georgetown, Ontario. “I’m very proud of these guys for handling a difficult situation with maturity. I’m pleased with the mood in the dressing room.”

Prior to his promotion, Carr was in his first season as associate coach and director of player development. Previously hespent three years with the Mahoning Valley Phantoms under former coach Bob Mainhardt, who was relieved of his duties Feb. 16 after posting a 15-26-2 record.

“I learned a lot from Bob and consider him a friend,” said Carr, who coached Kent State, his alma mater, from 2004-06. During that time he took the Golden Flashes to the American Collegiate Hockey Association’s national tournament and was a finalist for ACHA coach of the year.

Carr, who was twice named ACHA all-american during his player career, said his playing and previous Phantoms duties prepared him for his current position.

“Although it’s a different type of athlete I’m working with now, I realize that it takes time to turn things around,” said Carr. “It takes holding guys accountable and being positive, it means pointing out the things they’re doing wrong in a manner they can understand. It’s going to be a lot of work and a lot of teaching.”

Carr and new assistant coach Brad Patterson have begun implementing changes to the Phantoms’ game.

“We’re trying to take care of priority areas in the defensive zone, and we saw a big improvement in that aspect against Omaha,” Carr said. “[The Lancers] are the best offensive team in the league and we really cut down on their scoring opportunities.”

But while the Phantoms did a much better job of protecting their net last weekend, their lack of offense — just two goals in two games — prevented them from picking up wins.

Youngstown has scored just one goal in eight of nine February games; they’ve lost all eight.

“We need to start shooting with a purpose,” he said. “We can shoot 40 times from the perimeter but that won’t help us much. We’re trying to convince the team that where we get shots from is more important than how many.”