USHL Classic opens today

Staff report

SIOUX CITY, Iowa

The Youngstown Phantoms will cap their fourth week of training camp with three games at the USHL Fall Classic.

Today at 11 a.m., the Phantoms take on the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders.

Their other games are Friday at 5 p.m. against the Sioux Falls Stampede and Saturday at 2 p.m. against the defending Clark Cup champion Green Bay Gamblers.

“This is a great chance for our team,” Phantoms coach Curtis Carr said. “The Fall Classic is the perfect occasion to see how our team stacks up against the other teams in the league.

“It also gives the coaching staff the ability to analyze our roster, to see if we need to make any changes to make our team better going forward,” Carr said.

Phantoms forward John Fritsche said the three-day series ”will be a great experience to see everyone playing at their best.

“The Classic is the best juniors tournament in the world and everyone is going to play hard to prove the belong on the Tier One level,” Fritsche said. “The Classic is still part of the tryout phase for everyone, as we all try to secure a roster spot.”

Many college and pro scouts are expected to attend the Fall Classic.

“It is a chance for the players to show their skills,” Carr said. “They can open a lot of doors, but they can close just as quickly.

“For our players that have been talking with programs, this could be the opportunity to close the deal,” Carr said. “We will have our players ready to go, the rest is up to the them.”