Phantoms’ skid hits four after loss to USA

Phantoms’ skid hits four after loss to USA

PLYMOUTH, MICH.

The Youngstown Phantoms’ fourth-straight loss knocked them out of first place in the USHL’s Eastern Conference standings.

Saturday, the Phantoms (12-9-3-1, 28 points) lost to Team USA’s 17-Under squad, 4-1.

The Chicago Steel (13-7-1-2, 29 points) and Green Bay Gamblers (13-9-2-1, 29 points) won on Saturday to move ahead of the Phantoms and the Dubuque Fighting Saints (12-8-3-1, 28 points).

Right behind the Phantoms and Fighting Saints are the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders with 26 points.

Goaltender Ivan Prosvetov made 23 saves. Eric Esposito scored an unassisted goal.

The Phantoms will travel to Iowa next weekend to face the Rough Riders twice.

Correction

A photo caption accompanying a year-end sports story in Friday’s edition incorrectly identified two Champion High School athletes. Those depicted were softball player Alexandria Steigerwald and baseball player Aaron Williams.

New Giants GM Gettleman fires VP

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J.

The New York Giants have fired Marc Ross, the team’s vice president of player evaluation for the last five seasons.

New general manager Dave Gettleman on Saturday announced the move, his first since rejoining the franchise.

Ross had been with the Giants since 2007, serving six years as director of college scouting. Ross had been in charge of the Giants’ draft, along with previous GM Jerry Reese, who was let go this month.

Ross was one of four candidates to interview for the general manager position.

Among the players New York drafted under Ross were Odell Beckham, Jr., Sterling Shepard, Landon Collins and Jason Pierre-Paul.

Predators’ Forsberg placed on IR list

NASHVILLE, Tenn.

Nashville left wing Filip Forsberg was placed on injured reserve with an upper-body injury Saturday before the Predators’ game against Minnesota, ending his regular-season and postseason consecutive games streak at 325.

Forsberg had 15:04 of ice time Friday night in a loss in Minnesota. His last shift ended with 8:40 remaining in the third period.

The Predators did not offer a timetable for Forsberg’s return. As a result of being placed on injured reserve, which is at least one week in length, Forsberg will miss at least three games.

The high-scoring Swede has played in all 82 regular-season games for Nashville the past three seasons and all 42 postseason games in that timeframe as well.

In 37 games played this season, Forsberg leads the Predators with 15 goals and 34 points and is tied for the team lead with 19 assists.

Flames acquire Prout from Devils for Lack

CALGARY, Alberta

The Calgary Flames acquired defenseman Dalton Prout from the New Jersey Devils on Saturday in exchange for goalie Eddie Lack.

Prout has played 242 career NHL games with the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Devils. He has appeared in four games with the Devils this season, accumulating 13 penalty minutes.

Prout will report to Calgary’s American Hockey League team in Stockton, California.

Lack was 1-2-0 with a 5.29 goals-against average in four games for the Flames this season. He’s 55-53-18 with a 2.60 GAA in 140 NHL games with the Vancouver Canucks, Carolina Hurricanes and Flames.

Canada blanks Denmark

BUFFALO, N.Y.

Brett Howden scored twice and Canada rebounded from a snowy loss to the United States to beat Denmark 8-0 on Saturday night and win Group A in the world junior hockey championship

Staff/wire report