USHL Youngstown Phantoms

Short-Handed Phantoms Face Eastern Conference Foes

Published on November 3, 2011 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Youngstown Phantoms News Release


YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - The Youngstown Phantoms travel to Michigan on Friday to face off against the Muskegon Lumberjacks before returning to the Covelli Centre, where they are currently undefeated, to host the Indiana Ice on Saturday. The puck drops at 7:15 p.m. EST Saturday at the Covelli Centre.

The Phantoms (6-2-0) will have to cope without two of their top players for this crucial pair of United States Hockey League Eastern Conference matchups. Defenseman Chris Bradley and center Austin Cangelosi are traveling to compete with Team USA in the 2011 World Junior A Challenge in Langley, British Columbia, and will miss the Phantoms' next five games, including this weekend's slate.

"It's going to be tough losing those guys," left wing JT Stenglein said. "We'll need other guys to step up and make plays to really see what our team is about."

The game Friday night in Muskegon pits two of the USHL's most aggressive teams against each other. The Lumberjacks (3-5-0) and Phantoms rank No. 1 and No. 2 respectively in penalties this season with the Lumberjacks averaging nearly 28 minutes in the box a night.

"Because of the physicality of both teams, it's probably going to be hard to stay out of the box," right wing Alex Gacek said. "The big key to this game will probably be the special teams play - between the power play, which has been pretty hot lately, and the penalty kill, which has been consistent all season."

Last season the Lumberjacks were one of the teams that barely edged the Phantoms out of what would have been their first Clark Cup Playoffs appearance, finishing with 56 points compared to Youngstown's 53. So far this season, however, the roles have been reversed as the Phantoms are currently tied for second best record in the league, while the Lumberjacks are at the bottom of the USHL Eastern Conference standings.

"This is a team we've got a really good rivalry with," Head Coach Anthony Noreen said. "Regardless of where the teams are in the standings, it's going to be a physical game. It always is when we play them."

The Phantoms will be vying for their fourth straight win at home on Saturday in the Covelli Centre, but it will be no easy task against the Ice (6-2-0). Indiana took the 2010-11 season series against the Phantoms going 4-3-0. The series was not short of scoring as both teams combined for 61 goals in the seven contests.

Left wing Mike Ambrosia led the Phantoms with four goals and 10 points over that span and will be counted on to continue that success against a deep and dangerous Ice team. Indiana currently has three players ranked among the USHL's top 15 scorers, including Daniil Tarasov, who leads the league with 14 points (5G, 9A).

Noreen said it would be key for his team to limit the penalties against a high-scoring Ice power play, which has converted on a league-high 38.24 percent of its chances this season.

"That's their main weapon right there," he said. "We'll need to be disciplined in our game and when we do put them on the power play, we're going to need to block shots and know our assignments."

Saturday is Scout Night at the Covelli Centre. All pre-registered boy and girl scouts will get a FREE patch! It is also the first ever "Phan Handz" giveaway for the first 1,000 fans in attendance! "Phan Handz" are presented by the Covelli Centre and the doors open at 6:15 p.m.

Single game tickets for the 2011-12 season are on sale now. Season ticket and flex plans start at the low price of just $90. Call the Phantoms office today at 330.747.7825 for more information or to make a reservation today! For a complete Phantoms schedule, visit www.youngstownphantoms.com.

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United States Hockey League Stories from November 3, 2011


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