BOX SCORE

YOUNGSTOWN, OH – In a game their head coach called one of the "most complete efforts of the year,", the Youngstown Phantoms (23-13-4-1, 51 points) made a single goal hold up, thanks to 19 saves from Jacob Fowler, as they downed the Dubuque Fighting Saints 1-0 at the Covelli Centre Saturday night.

"I think that was our best sixty-minute effort of the year," said Phantoms Head Coach Ryan Ward. "Offensively, defensively, I thought we were extremely solid. We played tight all night, from the net out. I think, unequivocally, that was the best sixty minutes of hockey we've played this year."

The win marked the seventh shutout in Fowler's career, breaking Sean Romeo's team record of six which had stood since Romeo moved on to college after the 2013-2014 season. "As much as it's an individual accomplishment, it really comes down to sixty minutes of perfect hockey from the group in front of me," said Fowler. "I'm beyond thankful for the organization and the group of guys that I get to share the accomplishments with." It was also the fifth shutout of the season for Fowler, which ties him with Romeo and Ivan Kulbakov for the most during a single campaign in club history. It was also the first time the Phantoms shutout Dubuque since Colin DeAugustine put up a clean sheet against the Fighting Saints on October 18, 2014.

"Jacob has been a stalwart probably after the first month of the season," said Ward. "Right before Thanksgiving he started to really calm down, have some poise, and look like a true number one (goaltender). The sky is the limit for him as far as his future and potential. 'Fowls' is a calming presence back there that does a great job and obviously any time he's in the net we feel really good about it."

Youngstown got all the offense they needed just before the midway point of regulation. Andon Cerbone won a neutral zone draw back to Pavol Funtek, who gave the puck up to Jake Rozzi. While Rozzi entered the zone on the left wing side, Cerbone drove down the middle of the ice, setting up a mini 2-on-1 break from the blue line-in. Cerbone opened up for the one-timer, and Rozzi fed him a perfect pass that Cerbone rifled past Marcus Brännman (28 saves) at 8:45 of the second period. It was Cerbone's 16^th goal of the season, extended his scoring streak to seven games, and gives him 88 points in his USHL career.

The win clinched the season series against Dubuque for Youngstown, having won four out of the seven and earning at least one standings point in all five games that have been played between the two teams thus far. The Phantoms now sit alone in third place, just one point behind the Green Bay Gamblers with a game in hand.

The Phantoms' next game will be Thursday at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland as Youngstown will take on the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders in the USHL Cleveland Classic. "It's a once-in-a-lifetime experience for us all," said Ward. "I think we're super excited about it. I'm glad that we were able to take care of business this weekend. Ultimately that's our next game so we'll get ready for Thursday. Obviously a huge three-game series against Cedar Rapids and a pretty cool and unique life experience coming with it."

By the Numbers
Shots – 29
Saves – 19
Power Play – 0/3
Penalty Kill – 4/4
Goals – Cerbone
Assists – Funtek, Rozzi