Phantoms hope workouts pay off

January 10, 2014 at 12:04a.m.

YOUNGSTOWN

The last time the Youngstown Phantoms skated off the ice with two points for a win was before Thanksgiving when they defeated the Musketeers, 4-1, on Nov. 23 in Sioux City, Iowa.

Since then, the Phantoms (7-17-5, 19 points) have played nine times. Three games went to overtime, the last one on Dec. 13 when they fell to the Tri-City Storm, 6-5, in Kearney, Neb. Needless to say, the Phantoms are overdue for a victory. Make that long overdue.

With five games remaining in the current homestand, the fifth-year USHL team is hoping to snap their losing skid tonight at the Covelli Centre when the Muskegon Lumberjacks (14-15-4, 32 points) visit.

While most of the Mahoning Valley was focused on staying warm this week, the Phantoms took to the ice in extended practices hoping to work out the quirks that have contributed to the long streak.

“It was definitely good to take [the recent cold] in stride and get back to work,” forward Ryan Schwalbe said. “A good week of practice can go a long way to get you ready for the weekend — getting better at the things you need to get better at and coming together as a team.

“Practice is good.”

After Tuesday’s practice, defenseman Truman Reed commented on the cold snap that had shut down most of the Mahoning Valley that day.

“It felt good to finally get warm from skating so much,” Reed said. “It was way warmer in the rink than it was outside.”

After spending late summer and most of the fall nursing a stubborn groin injury, goaltender Sean Romeo says he’s feeling the best he’s felt since training camp last August.

“I feel healthy again,” the third-year Phantom said. “It’s just good to be back in the locker room with the boys. [The injury] is starting to feel like normal, so that’s a good thing.”

Last season, Romeo set the franchise record with 31 wins, breaking Matt O’Connor’s mark of 28, then led the Phantoms to five more wins in two playoff series.

Romeo returned to action in mid-October, going 1-4 in five games before re-aggravating the injury. His victory was a 1-0 shutout of the Lincoln Stars.

His next game was on Dec. 13. It hasn’t been easy not being on the ice.

“Coming off last year when I played a lot, it’s been a different feeling sitting in the stand watching,” Romeo said. You feel helpless, like you have no control.

“It’s not a good feeling,” said Romeo (1-8) who will play for the University of Maine next fall. “So it’s good being back on the ice and being with the team.“

Colin DeAugustine (5-5-4) and Jake Moore (1-4-1) filled in. Moore was released in the fall.

Two weeks ago, the Lumberjacks defeated the Phantoms, 5-3, in Muskegon, Mich. Matt Iacopelli, the USHL’s leading shot-getter, recorded a hat trick in that game.

Saturday at 7:05 p.m., the Phantoms will play Team USA (16-12-1, 33 points) at the Covelli Centre.