Phantoms in dire need of a victory

The USHL team plays host to the U.S. National team tonight at the Covelli Centre.

By TOM WILLIAMS

VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF

YOUNGSTOWN — Almost three weeks into the new year, the Youngstown Phantoms are 0-for-2010 and desperately in need of a victory.

Standing in their way tonight will be USA Hockey’s Under-17 unit, the gold medalists two weeks ago at the 2010 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in Ontario.

Tonight at 6:30 p.m., the Phantoms (13-17-2, 28 points) take on Team USA (10-18-3, 23 points) at the Covelli Centre.

Skating for Team USA will be J.T. Miller, the former East Palestine High School student who was Team USA’s leading scorer in the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge.

Also expected to play for Team USA will be goaltender John Gibson who stopped all but one of 19 shots on Saturday when Team USA’s 18-Under team defeated the Phantoms, 6-1, at the Covelli Centre.

“He played very well,” Team USA coach Kurt Kleinendorst said of Gibson, “even though early on he got tested in the first period. He stood up for us when we needed him to in the second and third periods.

“He’ll probably be back [tonight],” said Kleinendorst, explaining that Gibson was filling in for Andy Iles who is recovering from an ankle injury. “Gibbie has got the call twice for us and he’s got two wins. He’s doing very well.

“He’s a big kid, plays the angles well and covers a lot of net.”

Team USA was sparked by Brandon Saad, the former Mahoning Valley Phantom who scored two goals and two assists.

A six-game game losing streak, including their last three home games, has the Phantoms desperate for goals on the ice as well as points in the standings.

The Phantoms have tumbled into sixth place in the USHL’s East Division. But they only trail fourth-place Chicago (13-16-5, 31 points) by three points.

With a rare day off between games, Phantoms coach Bob Mainhardt had his squad practicing Sunday afternoon to take advantage of the scheduling quirk.

“[Gibson] played very well,” Mainhardt said. “Every time we tried to get back into the game, Gibson was there. They played a good road game — they played patient and waited for us to make mistakes, and they capitalized on them.”

Improved production and fewer untimely penalties are the Phantoms’ latest goals.

Saturday, the Phantoms went 0-for-6 on the power play and scored their only goal in the final minute of the third period. They also surrendered two shorthanded goals.

The Phantoms’ penalty killers only gave up one goal in six of the Nationals’ power plays. But that goal was scored by Jason Zucker late in the first period just after the Phantoms had exhausted themselves killing off a two-man advantage for more than 90 seconds.

The Nationals’ second goal — by Michael Mersch about three minutes before Zucker’s goal — came just as a penalty to Luke Eibler had expired.

williams@vindy.com