The Phantoms

Went to a Youngstown Phantoms (Minor League) Hockey game last night. Probably got tickets, parking, two sodas and nachos for less $$$ than parking would have been for the Penguins.  All that, and we were less than ten rows away from the ice -- close enough to hear the bone-shattering checks.  It was a Mt. Olive Youth outing; I counted 27 youth and adults in attendance,  It was a very family and child friendly atmosphere.  We were a blessing to Phantoms who chastised the Des Moines Buccaneers in overtime -- admonishing them 6-5 in a shoot out victory!  Great fun! 

Quick hits:

•  In regulation time, their goalie stopped like 53 out 58 shots on goal.  Our goalie stopped only 10 of 15 SOG, but blockd all three in the shootout.  Who had the better game? 
• One of the Phantom players was introduced as being tied for the all time franchise lead on  number of goals scored.  Makes one wonder why he isn't in the NHL?  Is he the Crash Davis of minor league hockey?
• During one of the intermissions, the fans threw pucks on to the ice, pelting the mascot.  Then kids from the stands then picked up all the pucks and deposited them neatly in bins.  Strange!
• Why was the Des Moines team nicknamed the Buccaneers?  I can't imagine many pirates in Des Moines.  Maybe it's because Iowa grows a lot of corn and corn costs about a buck an ear.