With the Youngstown Phantoms off to a 4-2-0 start, a crucial three-game road trip this weekend can help this team form an identity.  Oozing with potential, these Phantoms are digging in at the most crucial times of the game to record wins.

Coach Anthony Noreen would surely rather be in front from wire-to-wire, but the come from behind wins have been exciting to watch.  If you want some inexpensive fun on a weekend, do yourself the favor of checking out one of these games, you will not leave disappointed.

Some fresh news from the ice:

• Brian Wojtowicz has been named to the position of Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, team owner Bruce J. Zoldan announced today. Wojtowicz, a Canfield native, has been with the Phantoms hockeyfranchise since the Phantoms joined the United States Hockey League in 2009-10 and previously held the title of director of corporate sales.

“I’m very thankful to the Zoldan family for giving me the opportunity to serve as vice president of the Youngstown Phantoms,” Wojtowicz said. “It’s a wonderful organization from the top down, and I am committed to continuing the team’s success both on and off the ice.”

As vice president and COO, Wojtowicz will be responsible for directing the day-to-day business operations of the Phantoms organization and managing the front office. He will also continue to work with the team’s corporate sponsors.

• Center Austin Cangelosi and left wing JT Stenglein will exchange the Phantoms’ black, orange and purple for the Red, White and Blue in early November. The pair has been chosen to represent Team USA at the 2012 World Junior A Challenge, which will run from Nov. 2-11 in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, USA Hockey announced today.

“In my opinion, there’s no greater honor in all of sports than to wear your home country’s flag on your chest,” head coach Anthony Noreen said. “I couldn’t be happier for Austin and JT. It’s a great opportunity for both of them and it speaks volumes for our program.”

It is the second season in a row that Cangelosi, 18, has been named to the U.S. roster. Stenglein, 19, will be representing his country for the first time.

• The Phantoms will take on the Fargo Force Thursday night and Sioux City Musketeers Friday night before wrapping up Saturday night against the Sioux Falls Stampede.  Both Fargo (3-2-1, 7 points) and Sioux Falls (4-2-0, 8 points) are near the top of the Western Conference standings and undefeated at home this season. The Force have three players in the top 10 in scoring in the league, including Toronto Maple Leafs draft pick Dominic Toninato. The Stampede have a pair among the top 10 scorers as well, led by second-year forward Sam Rothstein, and are the only team that the Phantoms have yet to defeat since joining the USHL in 2009-10.