A month after the season began in Cranberry, the Youngstown Phantoms are set to play their first home game of the season tonight.

After a full slate of preseason games and six regular season games, all on the road, the Phantoms are excited to get into some sort of a normal routine. That starts with tonight’s home-opener against the Lincoln Stars.

“It’s funny. This year, even in the preseason, it seems like we’ve been on the road since September 1,” Phantoms coach Ryan Ward said. “And I think everyone’s really excited to be at the Covelli Centre, and certainly in front of our fans again, and getting into some semblance of normalcy with our routine and schedule. Obviously this is a special time of year, beginning of the season, and to play in a place that we’re comfortable and in front of our people, I think everyone’s a little juiced up for it.”

Through six games, the Phantoms sit at 3-3-0-0. While tied for last in the Eastern Conference with Cedar Rapids and the US National Team Development Program, the Phantoms are just four standings points out of first.

Early on, the Phantoms lead the USHL in penalty minutes with 166, leading the team to spend a lot of time on the penalty kill.

Like last season however, the penalty kill early has been strong, tied for fourth in the league, killing 87.9% so far.

“I think we’ve had excellent goaltending, number one, and number two, I feel like our guys are buying into what Scott Gordon’s trying to do. I think he’s done a great job teaching it, and I think at the end of the day, our players are, when we’re on the kill, playing detailed and they’re just doing a good job. I think as we go, hopefully we lighten the load a little bit on them. But so far so good.”

In his rookie USHL season, Jack Hextall leads the team with 6 points (1 goal, 5 assists). The Michigan State commit, and his linemate, Adam Benak, have combined for 11 points as a pair.

According to Ward, the pair haven’t shown their full capabilities yet, together or apart.

“I don’t even think we’re scratching the surface,” Ward said. “I think they’re still getting used to each other. I think they’re still reading off each other and trying to find a really special chemistry. I think they’re doing a good job and I think that those two, their best hockey is in front of them as well.”

Another early standout is forward Ryan Rucinski. The Broadview Heights native has scored 5 points (2 goals, 3 assists) thus far and has taken a clear step forward this season.

“He’s in his second year and we expect (those guys) to take a step. Sometimes it’s quicker than others with these guys, but (Rucinski) has done a great job. He’s actually really excelled on the power play. He’s very heavy down low. He plays a style that’s aggressive on pucks. He jumps his tracks, he’s just a real, real hard worker, real competitive kid. He’s got a great stick, and I think his playmaking ability has been a little bit ahead of where I thought it would be at this point. We;ve seen it pay off here at the beginning of the year, and I think Rizzo is a kid that is going to continuously get better.”

On Oct. 2, defenseman Quentin Bourne was added to the roster. Bourne spent two seasons with the Red Deer Rebels of the WHL, but opted to make the jump to the USHL.

The 5-foot-8 defender is expected to become more of a contributor as he gets more and more comfortable with the team.

“I think he was in a situation that didn’t fit him, per se as a player, but he’s an offensive defenseman, he can skate. He’s a very feisty, tenacious kid, He played with the Penguins Elite program, so he’s familiar with the area. I’ve known of Quentin for a few years now, and I think he fits into our style of play. He’s a kid that’s going to get comfortable in the league, and I think he’ll take steps here and move forward.”

Start time against the Stars is set for 7:05 p.m. at the Covelli Centre.