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Youngstown Phantoms

Phantoms Notebook: Weekly #6

November 6, 2014 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Youngstown Phantoms News Release


The Phantoms (7-3-1) suffered their first home loss of the season, dropping a 3-1 decision to the Muskegon Lumberjacks on Saturday, November 1st, before picking up a 9-3 win over the Bloomington Thunder on Wednesday, in the first of two School Day Games at the Covelli Centre this season.

After a highly spirited first period on Saturday that saw a myriad of chances but no goals, the Phantoms struck first, 9:08 into the second period, when forward Max Letunov intercepted a pass in the neutral zone and brought it over the Muskegon blueline. He went through a trio of defenders and beat Lumberjacks goaltender Eric Scheirhorn to give the Phantoms a 1-0 lead. The lead for the Phantoms was short lived, as just 2:47 later, Muskegon's Matheson Iacopelli fired a wrister that went through the legs of a Phantoms defender and beat goaltender Colin DeAugustine, tying the game, 1-1, 12:05 into the first period.

The Phantoms limited the Lumberjacks' chances through the first half of the third, however a Griffin Molino backhander that beat DeAugustine put Muskegon up, 2-1, 8:00 into the third. Roughly four minutes later, Muskegon put the game out of reach, when forward Matej Paulovic stripped a Phantoms' defender of the puck, and fired a shot that beat DeAugustine, sealing the 3-1 win for the Lumberjacks.

The Phantoms got back in the win column on Wednesday, exploding for nine goals in a 9-3 win over the Bloomington Thunder. Fourteen different players lit the lamp including Chase Pearson and James Winkler who each had a pair of goals. For Winkler, they were the first two goals of his USHL career.

Bloomington opened up the scoring early in the first period when Vince Pedrie lit the lamp for the second time this season. The Phantoms responded with four goals to wrap up the period from Josh Melnick, Kevin Conley, Kris Myllari, and Pearson, giving the Phantoms a 4-1 lead after 20 minutes. For Myllari, it was his first career USHL goal.

The second period was a mirror image of the first, as Youngstown found the back of the net four more times, on goals from Kiefer Sherwood on the power play, the second of the game for Pearson, also on the power play, Winkler, and defenseman Tommy Parran, who tallied his first career power play goal, pushing the Phantoms' lead to 8-1 after two periods.

Winkler extended the Phantoms' lead to 9-1 midway through the third, before Bloomington's Alec Mehr and Jacob Slacker each scored to bring the final score to 9-3. Chris Birdsall was in between the pipes on Wednesday, stopping 21 of the 24 shots he faced. The Phantoms' power play was stellar yet again, converting on four of its five chances.

UP NEXT: The Phantoms welcome in the Chicago Steel this coming Sunday and Monday. The Phantoms and Steel faced off six times last season, with the Steel winning the season series, 4-1-1.

Next Five Games

Sunday, November 9th vs Chicago - Covelli Centre, Youngstown, OH - 5:05 pm - Broadcast: 1240 WBBW AM, FASTHockey

Monday, November 10th vs Chicago - Covelli Centre, Youngstown OH - 7:05 PM - Broadcast: 1240 WBBW AM, FASTHockey

Friday, November 14th vs Lincoln - Covelli Centre, Youngstown, OH - 7:05 pm - Broadcast: 1240 WBBW AM, FASTHockey

Sunday, November 16th vs Lincoln - Covelli Centre, Youngstown, OH - 5:05 pm - Broadcast: 1240 WBBW AM, FASTHockey

Friday, November 21st at Bloomington - U.S. Cellular Coliseum, Bloomington, IL - 8:00 pm - Broadcast: 1240 WBBW AM, FASTHockey

11/9

vs. Chicago

5:05 pm

11/10

vs. Chicago

7:05 pm

11/14

vs. Lincoln

7:05 pm

11/16

vs. Lincoln

5:05 pm

11/21

@ Bloomington

8:00 pm

QUOTABLES

"I thought the chances were there, and we did a really good job of controlling a lot of the offense, and we even had the goalie down-and-out a lot. f you want to play meaningful hockey this season, that is the type of team you are going to have to beat, and they are probably the strongest and best skating team we've played all year." - Head Coach Anthony Noreen following the Phantoms' first home loss of the season on Saturday night.

"It was good to finally get out there and break through and get the first two. It was definitely different having to wake up so early, but everyone played great and we were able to feed off of the energy. I am happy we were able to get the win." - Forward James Winkler after scoring his first two USHL goals on Wednesday

"Anytime you can capitalize on a few chances makes you feel better. Anytime I get to help the team and contribute feels really good. There was a lot of energy in the building and whenever we get that energy, the guys feed off of it and we play better." - Forward Chase Pearson following his two-goal performance on Wednesday

"We feel that our biggest strength is our depth offensively, and you definitely saw that tonight," said Noreen. "You have two first year guys in the league (Pearson and Winkler) who probably do not get a lot of credit, but they are two guys that have the ability and are going to fil the net in this league. It was great to see them rewarded for all the hard work they have been putting in." - Noreen on forwards Chase Pearson and James Winkler scoring a pair of goals each in Wednesday's 9-3 win over Bloomington

"You look at Saturday night's game where we don't get a power play goal and lose, to today where we get four and it turns out to be a deciding factor in the game. We feel that with the units we are putting out there, it's just a matter of time before they start clicking together, and we're starting to see that." - Noreen on the Phantoms' recent power play performance

NOTABLES

A number of players recorded their first career USHL point in Wednesday's 9-3 win over Bloomington, including James Winkler (two goals), Kris Myllari (one goal) and Lukas Craggs (one assist).

The Phantoms have three players in the top 16 in League scoring in Kyle Connor (5-10-15), Max Letunov (7-5-12), and Josh Melnick (3-8-11)

The Phantoms sit atop the USHL power play rankings, converting on 31.4% of their chances (17/54)

The Phantoms lead the USHL in the top three offensive categories- Goals (47), Assists (75), and Points (122). Additionally, Youngstown ranks second in the League, averaging 4.22 goals per game.

Youngstown Phantoms Alumni Update

Pro Alumni

Brandon Saad (2008-2009) - Played in 12 games with the Chicago Blackhawks this season, registering a goal and six assists, two penalty minutes, and a minus-three on-ice rating, while averaging 16:37 Time on Ice (TOI)

Jiri Sekac (2009-11) - Played in six games with the Montreal Canadiens so far this season, and scored his first-career NHL goal on October 16th, in Montreal's 6-4 win over the Boston Bruins. He has been a healthy scratch the last six games

Andrej Sustr (2009-10) - Suited up in 10 games with the Tampa Bay Lightning, and has a minus-four on-ice rating. He recorded his first assist of the season on October 28th against the Arizona Coyotes. Currently listed as day-to-day with a hand injury.

Scott Mayfield (2009-10) - Skated in eight games for the Bridgeport Sound Tigers (AHL) this season, recording a minus-five rating and nine shots on goal.

Nathan Walker (2012-13) - Appeared in 10 games for the Hershey Bears (AHL), registering a plus-two rating, and 10 penalty minutes.

Tom Serratore (2009-10)- Played in two game with the Toledo Walleye (ECHL), recording an assist along with a plus-one rating

College Alumni Update (10/26-11/3)

Quinn Smith (Boston College)- One assist in both games against Denver this weekend

Austin Cangelosi (Boston College)- Assist vs Denver on Friday

Matt O'Connor (Boston University)- Went 1-1-0 on the weekend against Providence. Allowed a goal and stopped 17 on Friday in a 4-1 win. He allowed two goals and stopped 31 in Saturday's 2-1 loss. Overall on the season, O'Connor is 3-1-0 with a 1.26 GAA, and a .958 S%

Adam Berkle (Bowling Green)- Recorded three assists weekend (two Friday, one Saturday) against Minnesota State.

Tyler Spezia (Bowling Green)- Scored three goals last weekend (two Friday, one Saturday) against Minnesota State. Named WCHA Rookie of the Week.

Alfred Larsson (Merrimack)- Recorded a goal against Princeton on Sunday

Cam Brown (Maine)- Had a goal against UMass on Friday

Sean Romeo (Maine)- Recorded his first collegiate win against UMass on Saturday, stopping 30-of-32 in a 3-2 win. Overall on the season, Romeo is 1-2-0, with a 3.72 GAA, and a .883 S%

Luke Stork (Ohio State)- Had a goal against Canisius on Friday

Kevin Liss (Princeton)- Had an assist against Yale on Friday

Taylor Holstrom (Penn State)- Recorded two assists Thursday and scored a goal Friday against Bentley

Sam Anas (Qunnipiac)- Dished out two assists against Northeastern on Sunday

Soren Jonzzon (Quinnipiac)- Scored a goal against Northeastern on Sunday

Single game and season tickets are on sale now for all Phantoms home games at the Covelli Centre starting at the low price of $10.75 for single game, and $267.00 for season tickets. 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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