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USHL Youngstown Phantoms

Last Three-In-Three of the Season Starts with School Day Game

March 20, 2014 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Youngstown Phantoms News Release


YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - The Phantoms will play three games in three different cities over the course of the weekend, as they will start at home for a Friday morning tilt against the Team USA U17s.

The game is set for a 10:15 am faceoff, as it will represent the rescheduled School Day Game. The Phantoms will head to Indiana for a Saturday night matchup against the Ice, who are currently sitting at the top of the Eastern Conference. The team will then close out the weekend with a trip to Ann Arbor on Sunday to take on the Team USA U18s at 3:30 pm.

Despite this being another three-in-three for the team, Phantoms coach Anthony Noreen does not feel as though it will serve as any sort of threat to the way his team will play.

"We're used to it," Noreen said. "It's part of hockey, these guys have been doing it while growing up. A lot of them, even a year ago, were playing two games in one day. That's what we are conditioned for."

Team USA's U17 roster, by definition, is made up of players that are rather young compared to most teams in the league. Noreen does not believe that his players will overlook this matchup, or underestimate the talent level on the opposing bench.

"I don't think so, especially at this point in the season," said Noreen. "I think there may be times when a team might take them a little light, early on, when they're first getting together. Once you play them for a game, or even a couple of minutes, you realize how talented they are and how "˜on your toes' you need to be."

The last time these two teams met, the Phantoms came out on top by a score of 6-3. However, at previous meetings, the U17s got the best of Youngstown, proving that they can be competitive.

"When you give them chances, they put the puck in the net," said Noreen. "They're on that team for a reason, and they'll make you pay if you make mistakes. We learned that lesson early when we played them at the beginning of the season. They've been good every time we've played them since."

The Indiana Ice are currently in first place in the Eastern Conference, and have clinched a playoff spot, but are chasing the Waterloo Blackhawks in hopes of capturing the Anderson Cup. Noreen does not look at Saturday's matchup as an opportunity to play spoiler though.

"No, that's not something we'll talk about," Noreen said. "Our worry right now is making sure that the guys in our room are getting better and we're improving as a team. We want to give ourselves the best chance to win. What better way to do it than when you take on the top team in the conference -

Sunday afternoon, the Phantoms will take on Team USA's U18 squad at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube. When these two teams met in January, Team USA eventually came out on top, but the game remained close throughout the majority of the contest.

"I think we've had two really good games against them," Noreen said. "Two of the best games we've been a part of. Unfortunately, we've fallen on the wrong side of the scoreboard. Just like the Indiana game, this will be a great chance for us to make a statement, and show how far this team has come, show how much we've improved, and what direction we're heading in. If you can do it against this team, you can do it against any team."

Two affiliate players will be joining the Phantoms roster at some point this weekend, and may even get some ice time. Connor Moore, a Boston College commit, is a native of Cumming, Georgia who currently plays at Brooks Prep School in Massachusetts. Carson Gicewicz is from Orchard Park, New York, where he currently plays at Nichols Prep School. He is committed to St. Lawrence University.

Moore, a defenseman, and Gicewicz, a forward, were both born in 1997, representative of the youth and potential that the Phantoms continue to emulate.

"Connor Moore is a kid off of our affiliate list that we're extremely excited about," said Noreen. "We think he has a bright future in the game, and hopefully a bright future here in Youngstown. We're excited to see him play in a Phantom uniform for the first time.

"Carson Gicewicz is the same type of thing. He's a guy we took in the futures draft last summer with the idea of seeing him play in our uniform at some point, whether it's this year or next year. This is a great chance for both of these guys to showcase themselves and get accustomed to what things are like here in Youngstown. We're also giving a glimpse of what our future looks like with the team."

Other than the injection of Moore and Gicewicz, the Phantoms' lineup should this remain relatively the same as it has been in previous weekends. Zach Evancho is still in the recovery process after being injured in Omaha, and it is unsure when he will be back.

"He's day-to-day," Noreen said. "He's been skating, but we're not sure what his status will be for the weekend."

Single game tickets are on sale now for all Phantoms' home games at the Covelli Centre. Phantoms 10-Game Flex Plans are also available starting at the low price of just $89. 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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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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