Phantoms enjoying success at Covelli Centre

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O'Connor

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Gunn

Staff report

Youngstown

The Youngstown Phantoms have progressed since their season-opening 10-3 loss to Team USA in Ann Arbor, Mich.

“I think the way we’ve grown as a team since that early adversity we faced against them is definitely significant,” Phantoms goaltender Matthew O’Connor said. “We’ve got a new team.”

The Phantoms (18-9-2, 38 points) will have the chance to prove that this weekend at the Covelli Centre when they take on Team USA (11-10-3, 25 points) today and Saturday at 7:15 p.m.

In October, Team USA defeated the Phantoms 5-4. Team USA is the only team the third-place Phantoms have faced more than once without a win.

“They took it to us,” defenseman Michael Gunn said. “[This weekend] we’re due one.”

Gunn said that Team USA, with its roster cherry-picked from a pool of the highest-regarded young players in the nation, is cast from a different mold than the majority of teams in the USHL.

“Compared to normal USHL teams that like to grind it out and go hard, they have four skilled lines,” Gunn said. “It’s going to be a fun challenge.”

The Phantoms have won six of their last seven home games and own the league’s best home record at 11-2-1.

“I’m just relieved to be at home,” O’Connor said. “We’ve had so much success here at the Covelli Centre. I’m really looking forward to getting back.”