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Phantoms Notebook: Week No. 2

October 2, 2012 - United States Hockey League (USHL) Youngstown Phantoms

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - The Youngstown Phantoms opened the 2012-13 campaign in memorable fashion last weekend at the Covelli Centre. After scoring four goals in the third period of a 5-3 win over the Omaha Lancers Friday, the Phantoms netted two goals in the final 51 seconds to force overtime Saturday, and went on to defeat the Des Moines Buccaneers 4-3 in the extra session. The Phantoms (2-0-0, T-first East) hit the road for the first time this week, facing the defending USHL Western Conference champion Waterloo Black Hawks on Friday and the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders on Saturday.

The Week In Review

Game No.1: Phantoms Win Opener Over Omaha, 5-3

The Phantoms trailed the Lancers 2-1 heading into the final period, but Austin Cangelosi wasted little time - just 17 seconds in - knotting the game up. The Boston College recruit's goal was the first of a four-goal third period for Youngstown, which included tallies from defensemen Eric Sweetman, Dan Renouf (game-winning goal) and Ryan Lowney (empty-net goal). Alfred Larsson also scored for Youngstown and between the pipes, goaltender Sean Romeo outdueled Omaha's Alex Lyon, turning away 26 shots in the win.

Game No. 2: Phantoms Score Twice In Final 50 Seconds, Win 4-3 In Overtime

The Phantoms found themselves down 3-1 to Des Moines entering the final minute of the third period Saturday night at the Covelli Centre. After calling a timeout, head coach Anthony Noreen pulled goaltender Patrick Spano for the extra attacker and it paid off. JT Stenglein got the Phantoms within one goal with 51 seconds remaining, and then 25 seconds later, Cangelosi tied it up to force overtime. In the extra period, Renouf was again the hero, scoring with a wrist shot from the point less than two minutes in. Luke Stork also scored and added an assist while Spano turned away 22 shots for his first USHL win.

Loose Pucks

-- After scoring just one goal in 58 games last season as a rookie, defenseman Dan Renouf scored a pair of goals opening weekend - both game-winners. The Maine commit offensive accomplishments were reward Monday when he was named was named the USHL's CCM Defensive Player of the Week.

-- During Phantoms training camp, head coach Anthony Noreen put an emphasis on getting more offensive output from his defense. Through two games, the results are certainly encouraging with four of the Phantoms' nine goals on the weekend coming off the sticks of defensemen.

-- For the second season in a row, center Austin Cangelosi has exploded out of the gates. In his first two games of 2011-12 he put up four points (three goals, one assist) and through two games this season, he is leading the USHL with six points (two goal, four assists).

-- Although Saturday's win over Des Moines may remembered for Cangelosi's late-game heroics or Renouf's goal in overtime, the Phantoms' most important player may have been first-year forward Luke Stork. The Pittsburgh native knocked the Phantoms out of an early funk with his second-period goal, the first of his USHL career. He also assisted on Cangelosi's game-tying goal and set the screen for Renouf's game-winner in OT.

The Week Ahead

Game No. 3: Friday, Oct. 5 at 8:05 p.m. EST - Phantoms at Waterloo

The Phantoms face one of the best in the West on Friday at Young Arena. After coming within a game of the Clark Cup last May, the Black Hawks (2-0-0, T-first West) return their top two scorers from last season - Taylor Cammarata and Vince Hinostroza, a sixth-round pick of Chicago Blackhawks. With the additions of top talents Zach Stepan, a fourth-round pick of the Nashville Predators, and Justin Kloos, along with highly-touted defenseman Ian McCoshen and the goaltending tandem of Eamon McAdam and Cal Petersen, the "˜Hawks have the makings of another Clark-Cup-caliber team this year. Through two games in 2012-13 they have scored a league-high 12 goals.

Game No. 4: Saturday, Oct. 6 at 8:05 p.m. EST - Phantoms at Cedar Rapids

Saturday night is a rematch of the Phantoms' first-round playoff series with Cedar Rapids last April. Although the Phantoms swept them in the 2012 postseason, there are far from any guarantees with 2012-13 edition of the RoughRiders (1-0-0, T-third East). Cedar Rapids downed the defending Clark Cup champion Green Bay Gamblers 4-1 in their lone game last weekend, led by a two-goal outburst from first-year defenseman Gavin Bayreuther. Netminder Chad Gatt surrendered just one goal on 29 shots for his first USHL win.

They Said It

"His work ethic, his demeanor, his approach to the game, is exactly what we want in a Youngstown Phantom. He reminds me of Dylan Margonari so much it's scary."

-- Phantoms head coach Anthony Noreen on first-year forward Luke Stork.

Phantoms Leaders

Points: Austin Cangelosi (2-4-6, first in USHL)

Goals: Cangelosi, Dan Renouf (2, T-second in USHL)

Assists: Cangelosi (4, first in USHL)

Power-Play Goals: N/A

Short-Handed Goals: Ryan Lowney (1, T-first in USHL)

Points by a Defenseman: Renouf (2-0-2), Eric Sweetman (1-1-2)

Plus/Minus: Cangelosi, Renouf (plus-5, T-second in USHL)

Wins: Sean Romeo, Patrick Spano (1, T-second in USHL)

Goals Against Average: Spano (2.95)

Save Percentage: Romeo (.897)

Phantoms' Weekly Practice Schedule

Tuesday, Oct. 2: 3:15 to 5:15 p.m.* at the Covelli Centre

Wednesday, Oct. 3: 3:15 to 5:15 p.m.*at the Covelli Centre

*Practice lengths vary and often end ahead of scheduled time.

Season tickets for the 2012-13 season are on sale now starting at the low price of just $7 a game. Benefits include invitations to exclusive season ticket holder events, discounts at the Phantoms Team Shop, playoff priority and much more. Call 330.747.PUCK (7825) for more information or to reserve seats today. For all the latest news, visit www.YoungstownPhantoms.com, follow the Phantoms on Twitter ( @YtownPhantoms ) and "˜like' them on Facebook ( www.Facebook.com/YoungstownPhantoms ).

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United States Hockey League Stories from October 2, 2012


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