Game Day Approaching: Saints Phantoms Tickets Released

Dubuque Fighting Saints are soon to play against Youngstown Phantoms at the latter's home arena, Covelli Center, in Ohio. Both teams play Tier 1 junior ice hockey and are members of the USHL in the East Division. The Fighting Saints rejoined the USHL in 2010, and currently play their home games at the Mystique Ice Center. Their name is a nod to the original Fighting Saints, who played in the same league from 1980 through 2001.

The club is owned by the Northern Lights Hockey, with head coach being Matt Shaw, as of 2013.  Youngstown Phantoms, known previously as the Mahoning Valley Phantoms (2005-2009), are currently owned by Bruce Zoldan, CEO and founder of Phantom Fireworks. Dubuque Fighting Saints vs. Youngstown Phantoms tickets are a sought-after treat among hockey fans.

Based in Dubuque, Iowa, the Fighting Saints have set quite a winning rate in the recent past, winning the USHL Clark Cup (2011), after beating Green Bay Gamblers. In the following season, they established themselves as the Anderson Cup champions in the regular season. During the same season, they also won the Clark Cup by defeating Fargo Force in best-of-five finals' three games. Fighting Saints games are broadcasted on KIYX.

The team's alumni include greats like Zemgus Girgensons, who was chosen in the first round of Buffalo Sabres' selections, and was the fourteenth player to be drafted in 2012 NHL. He debuted at NHL during the 2012-2013 season, becoming the first Fighting Saint to be part of the NHL, since its 2001 dissolution. During the Saints' initial run between 1981 and 2001, the team produced six NHL players. These include Gary Suter, the five-time All-Star.

Youngstown Phantoms were formed in 2003, and began participating in the NAHL's North Division playing their home games at the Boardman Ice Zone. Between 2005 and 2009, their name was changed to Mahoning Valley Phantoms due to the relocation of CHL's Youngstown SteelHounds in the county. Soon after the latter team was shut down, however, the Phantoms started playing frequently in Youngstown. Not before long, they moved to USHL and once again called themselves Youngstown Phantoms.

The Phantom's are aired on WBBW (AM) FASTHockey channel. To date, two of their players have made it to the NHL, including defenseman Scott Mayfield and goalie Matthew Mahalak. Mayfield was drafted in the second round as the thirty-fourth pick of 2011 NHL Entry Draft by New York Islanders. The upcoming game is one of the long awaited ones. So, book your Dubuque Fighting Saints vs. Youngstown Phantoms tickets in time.