USHL Youngstown Phantoms

Phantoms Face Streaking Steel in School Day Game

Published on January 31, 2012 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Youngstown Phantoms News Release


YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - After reasserting their dominance at the Covelli Centre last weekend with a two-game sweep of the Waterloo Black Hawks and the Dubuque Fighting Saints, the Youngstown Phantoms have the chance to add to their league-best home record this week before traveling west to a pair of hostile road arenas. The Phantoms (21-12-3, fourth East) take on the Chicago Steel Wednesday morning in their third annual "Hockey For Health" School Day Game before traveling to Iowa to take on the Fighting Saints (22-11-3, third East) Friday in their own barn and the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders Saturday at The Stable.

The Week In Review

Game 35: Ambrosia's 2-Goal Third Powers Phantoms Past Black Hawks 4-3

Captain Mike Ambrosia led by example Thursday night, scoring a pair of goals in the third period to give the Phantoms their first win on home ice since Jan. 6. The Black Hawks (19-11-4, third West) scored a pair in the first but Alexander Dahl made it a one-goal game before the intermission. Then Austin Cangelosi netted a goal in the second period to make it 2-2 heading into the third and Ambrosia gave the Phantoms the lead early in the final period and clinched it at the 12:10 mark. Goaltender Matthew O'Connor made 29 saves on 32 shots on the evening.

Game 36: O'Connor Outstanding As Phantoms Down Dubuque 3-2

O'Connor was at his best, however, Friday night against the Fighting Saints. The 6-foot-5 goaltender turned away 19 shots in the first period alone, and 40 overall, to record his 18th win of the season, one behind Indiana's John Gillies for the league lead. Todd Koritzinsky had a goal and an assist and Cangelosi and Ryan Belonger, who scored the game-winner, also found the back of the net. But without question, the night belonged to O'Connor.

Loose Pucks

-- Left wing Mike Ambrosia had a pair of assists last weekend, and has nine helpers over his last six games. Only Omaha's Jimmy Murray has more assists (30) than Ambrosia (29) this season.

-- Goaltender Matthew O'Connor turned away Dubuque's Zemgus Girgensons five times in the first period Friday night. The USHL's top-rated forward heading into the 2012 NHL Entry Draft is pointless in a pair of games against the Phantoms this season. Team USA is the only other team that Girgensons has faced more than once this season without recording a point.

-- First-year defenseman Ryan Lowney recorded three assists Friday night against the Black Hawks. It was the largest single-game assist output for a blue liner in Phantoms' franchise history and more than doubled his previous season total.

-- Other first-year defensemen Eric Sweetman and Daniel Renouf have made major strides in recent weeks and it was on full display against Waterloo and Dubuque. The two were paired together and tasked with shutting down Waterloo's top scorer Taylor Cammarata and Dubuque's Girgensons. Sweetman and Renouf did a yeoman's work each night and finished out the weekend with a plus-1 rating.

The Week Ahead

Game 37: Wednesday, Feb. 1 at 10 a.m. EST - Phantoms vs. Chicago

The Phantoms and Steel (12-23-1, seventh East) meet Wednesday morning at the Covelli Centre for the School Day Game. The crowd is sure to be rambunctious and the Phantoms will be looking for payback after falling to Chicago in their last meeting - just their second loss to the Steel in 17 outings. Despite the loss the last go-round, the Phantoms have won their other three games against Steel this season by a combined margin of 10-2.

Game 38: Friday, Feb. 3 at 8:05 p.m. EST - Phantoms at Dubuque

Seven days after an instant classic in the Covelli Centre, the Phantoms and Fighting Saints meet again, but this time in Dubuque. The Phantoms have never won at the Mystique Ice Center, falling 4-1 on two occasions last season. But this season, the Phantoms have come out on the upper hand in two of the three meetings between the teams and goaltender Matthew O'Connor is 2-0-0 with a 2.00 goals against average and a .937 save percentage.

Game 39: Saturday, Feb. 4 at 8:05 p.m. EST - Phantoms at Cedar Rapids

The Stable in Cedar Rapids is another venue where the Phantoms are still searching for their first win. They fell 2-1 in a shootout in their last visit back on Dec. 28 in a game that O'Connor made 42 saves. The Phantoms and RoughRiders (15-13-9, sixth East) have needed overtime to settle things in all three meetings so far this season. Alex Gacek netted the game-winner for the Phantoms in a 4-3 win on Oct. 22 and JT Stenglein scored the clincher in a 3-2 victory on Nov. 19.

They Said It

"In a 60-game season, at some point or another, you're going to need your goaltender to steal a game. Bottom-line, flat-out, Matt O'Connor stole us that game."

-- Phantoms Head Coach Anthony Noreen on Matthew O'Connor's 40-save performance in Friday night's 3-2 win over Dubuque.

Phantoms Leaders

Points: Mike Ambrosia (11G-29A-40PTS, T-fifth in USHL)

Goals: JT Stenglein (17)

Assists: Ambrosia (29, T-second in USHL)

Power-Play Goals: Stenglein (6)

Short-Handed Goals: Austin Cangelosi (6, first in USHL)

Points by a Defenseman: Chris Bradley (5G-6A-11PTS)

Plus/Minus: Cangelosi (plus-18)

Wins: Matthew O'Connor (18, second in USHL)

Goals Against Average: O'Connor (2.67)

Save Percentage: O'Connor (.911)

Phantoms Alumni Watch

-- Denver forward Ty Loney (2009-2011) remained red-hot with three goals over the weekend as the Pioneers swept Alaska-Anchorage, winning 4-2 on Friday and 6-3 on Saturday. The freshman has recorded at least a point in seven straight games (7G-5A-12PTS).

-- Bentley forward Brett Gensler (2009-2010) registered a goal and three assists as the Falcons split a two-game set with Army, winning 6-2 on Friday before falling 3-1 on Saturday.

-- Bemidji State forward Danny Mattson (2010-2011) had a goal as the Beavers defeated Minnesota State 2-1 Friday night.

Events and Promotions

Sunday, Feb. 12: Post-Game Skate With Phantoms Players And "Double Dollar Deal Day" : Come down to the Covelli Centre for a Sunday matinee as the Phantoms take on the Muskegon Lumberjacks. It's a "Double Dollar Deal Day" where fans can get a 16-oz. beer, 16-oz. soda, hotdog or popcorn for the low price of just $2 each! And fans, make sure to bring ice skates for a post-game skate with the Phantoms out on the Covelli Centre ice!

Friday, Feb. 17: Disney XD "Lab Rats" Sneak Peek : The Phantoms are partnering with Radio Disney AM 1260 to provide a one-of-a-kind experience for fans at a Phantoms game this season. On Friday, Feb. 17, fans will have the chance to get an exclusive preview of the brand-new upcoming Disney XD series Lab Rats in the Covelli Centre before the Phantoms take on the Chicago Steel.

In addition to getting a sneak peek of Lab Rats before the show premieres, the Radio Disney AM 1260 Road Crew will be on hand with interactive entertainment and prizes for fans of all ages. The first 1,000 fans will also receive a free Lab Rats poster, courtesy of Radio Disney AM 1260. The Covelli Centre doors will open early at 5:30 p.m. ESTand the exclusive premiere of Lab Rats will air at 6 p.m. on the video boards. The puck drops between the Phantoms and Steel at 7:15 p.m. EST.

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 January 31, 2012


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