Chicago Steals Another with 2-Goal Third, Downs Phantoms 3-1
February 1, 2012 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Youngstown Phantoms News Release
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - Ten days ago in Bensenville, Ill., the Youngstown Phantoms fell to the then-last-place Chicago Steel. The 3-1 loss caught many in the locker room by surprise, but Head Coach Anthony Noreen said it was no fluke, and the Phantoms (21-13-3, fourth East) were reminded again Wednesday morning in the Covelli Centre.
The teams entered the third tied period at one but the Steel (13-23-1, seventh East) netted a pair of goals in the final 20 minutes to hand Youngstown another 3-1 loss, this time in front of more than 3,000 screaming fans at the Phantoms' third annual "Hockey For Health" School Day Game.
Austin Cangelosi scored the lone goal for the Phantoms while Matthew O'Connor was bested just three times on 33 shots. But his counterpart at the other end, Steel netminder Alex Sakellaropoulos was even better, turning 32 of 33 to lead Chicago to their fourth straight win, and spoil the backend of a three-game Phantoms homestand.
"Chicago is a team right now that's excited to play," Noreen said. "They're doing a good job of sticking to what they do, and I thought we got a little bit away from our strengths today."
The teams traded chances early on in the first period but appeared to be heading to the first intermission scoreless. Then with 1:12 remaining in the first, Cangelosi broke the gridlock. Mike Ambrosia floated the the puck out to center ice, where the Boston College commit picked it up and sped past one flat-footed Steel blue liner as another, Christian Neuman, latched on from behind. The referee's hand shot up for a delayed penalty, but Cangelosi battled through and with just one hand on the stick, lifted the puck up and over an outstretched Sakellaropoulos.
"That's what makes him a special player," Noreen said. "He's got the ability to change a game with a little seam and he's gone."
The Phantoms carried a 1-0 lead into the first intermission but Chicago needed little time to knot it up in the second. The Steel came in with an odd man rush and Charlie O'Connor put a low shot on net. Matthew O'Connor was able to make a kick save, but Ali Thomas, who was trailing on the play, put the rebound right past him at the 23-second mark.
Neither team found the back of the net in the remainder of the period, but the Steel would once again strike early in the third.
Chicago won an offensive zone draw back to Ryan Trentz, who ripped into a slap shot at the right point, and Michael Fallon got a stick on the puck in the slot, redirecting it into the back of the net to make it a 2-1 game. Then a little more than four minutes later, and in the midst of chaos in front of the Phantoms' net, Alex Roos poked a puck in from the crease to give the Steel a two-goal cushion.
"I thought Matt [O'Connor] was really good in net. He gave us every chance in the world to win," Noreen said. "But their goaltender was a little bit better. He made some big saves. The shots and scoring chances were about even, but they've got a goalie who's playing in the zone right now."
The Phantoms attempted to scrape together a comeback in the final 15 minutes, but Sakellaropoulos made the stops his team needed and the Steel defensive corps did an excellent job of forcing shots to the outside. In the end, the Steel and Sakellaropoulos skated off the ice with their second straight win over the Phantoms - just their third in the 18 games all-time between the teams.
"Something we take pride in is getting pucks and bodies to the net, and we just didn't do it today," Noreen said. "We allowed them to keep us on the perimeter.
"We just didn't have that extra jump to make plays today."
Phantoms by the Numbers
33 - Shots
33 - Saves
80 percent - Penalty Kill (4-for-5)
1G-0A-1PT - Cangelosi
0G-1A-1PT - Ambrosia, Anas
Staying Hot
With a goal and an assist respectively, Austin Cangelosi and Mike Ambrosia extended their point streaks to seven straight games. Cangeolsi has four goals - including tallies in three straight games - and five assists for nine points in the span. Ambrosia has two goals and 10 assists for 12 points in the span and moved into a tie with Omaha's Jimmy Murray for the USHL lead in assists with 30.
Next on the Slate
The Phantoms hit the road later this week for a pair of games in the Hawkeye State. They will take on the Dubuque Fighting Saints Friday at the Mystique Ice Center and then the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders Saturday at The Stable. The puck drops at 8:05 p.m. EST both nights.
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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