The Youngstown Phantoms have scheduled five preseason games as they prepare for Youngstown’s third season in the United States Hockey League. The Phantoms will visit Team USA and Muskegon before heading out to Sioux City, Iowa for the 2011 USHL Fall Classic.

The Phantoms first two exhibition games will take place the weekend before the Fall Classic. The Phantoms first tune-up is against Team USA on Friday, September 16, at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube. The rivalry between the Phantoms and the Muskegon Lumberjacks will be renewed in the pre-season on Saturday, September 17, when the Phantoms make their first trip of the year to L.C. Walker Arena. Both games will start at 7:05 p.m.

The USHL Fall Classic will run from Wednesday, September 21, through Saturday, September 24. The Phantoms will take on the Lincoln Stars and the Sioux Falls Stampede but their toughest challenge may be their Fall Classic opener against the defending Eastern Conference Champions, Cedar Rapids RoughRiders.

“The preseason will be the time when we set our identity,” said Phantoms head coach Anthony Noreen. “We are going to develop this identity from day one. This will also be a time where we can identify which players will fit our program. Obviously some of the guys that start the preseason with us may not be there at the end of it. For me and the other coaches, all of the players, whether they are rookies or our veterans, will all be starting with the same footing. Our players need to do what is expected of them or they will not be here for opening night. We will not be concerned with the scores in the preseason, this will be our time to solidify our systems and the process that we take to win games. I know our process will work but it will take time to determine which players are willing to do what our organization wants both on and off the ice.”

Preseason Games

Friday, September 16, 2011 – Youngstown Phantoms at Team USA @ 7:05 p.m.

Saturday, September 17, 2011 – Youngstown Phantoms at Muskegon Lumberjacks @ 7:05 p.m.

USHL Fall Classic Schedule

Thursday, September 22, 2011 – Youngstown Phantoms vs Cedar Rapids RoughRiders @ 4:00 p.m.

Friday, September 23, 2011 – Youngstown Phantoms vs Sioux Falls Stampede @ 6:00 p.m.

Saturday, September 24, 2011 – Youngstown Phantoms vs Lincoln Stars @ 1:00 p.m.

The Phantoms kick off the 2011-12 regular season on Friday, September 30, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. against Team USA at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube.  The Phantoms will open the Covelli Centre with two games against the Des Moines Buccaneers on Friday, October 14 and Saturday, October 15, both games starting at 7:15 p.m.