Phantoms Duo Claim Final USHL Weekly Honors
April 13, 2015 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Youngstown Phantoms News Release
YOUNGSTOWN, OH- Today, the United States Hockey League announced that forward Kyle Connor (CCM Co-Forward of the Week), and goaltender Chris Birdsall (CCM Co-Goaltender of the Week) have earned League honors for the final week of the 2014-15 USHL regular season.
This is the second consecutive weekly honor for Connor, who registered a pair of goals and four assists in three games last week for the Phantoms. He dished out three helpers in Wednesday's 5-4 overtime loss to the Chicago Steel, helping the Phantoms clinch a share of the Anderson Cup as League regular season champions. On Friday night in Ann Arbor, the Shelby Township, MI, native assisted on forward Kiefer Sherwood's first period power play goal in a 3-1 win over Team USA's Under-17 squad. He capped off his big week with a pair of third period goals, including one on the power play, in Saturday's 7-1 win over the Under 17 program.
This marks the fifth weekly honor for the University of Michigan commit who, in addition to claiming CCM Co-Forward of the Week honors last week, also took home League honors for the weeks of October 20th -26th, February 2nd- 8th, and March 2nd-8th. Connor set new career highs for both goals and assists during the regular season, accounting for 34 goals and 46 assists in 56 games played, ranking him first in USHL scoring.
Birdsall backstopped the Phantoms to a 3-1 victory on Friday night, helping the Phantoms clinch the Anderson Cup title outright. He turned aside 30 of the 31 shots he faced, including 17 in the second period. Friday's win also marked the 35th of his USHL career, and career-high 18th of the season. This is the second League honor of the season for Birdsall, who was also named CCM Goaltender of the Week for the week of November 24th-30th.
The Glen Rock, NJ, native has been one of the top netminders in the USHL in recent weeks, posting a 9-1-0 record over his last 10 starts. He has allowed more than three goals on just three occasions, and one goal or fewer in five of his last six wins. The Boston College commit is 11-3-0 in his last 14 starts, posting a 2.13 goals-against average and a .925 save percentage in that span. He finished the regular season ranked fourth in the USHL with a 2.46 goals-against average, and was tied for fourth with a .914 save percentage.
The Phantoms are marching towards their first Clark Cup Championship in team history, and you are invited along for the ride. Tickets are on sale now for home games one, two, and three of the first round of the 2015 Clark Cup Playoffs. Home games one and two will be Friday and Saturday, April 17th and 18th, while home game number three (if necessary) will be Wednesday, April 22nd. Prices remain unchanged from the regular season, and start at the low price of $10.75. 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 April 13, 2015
- Phantoms Duo Claim Final USHL Weekly Honors - Youngstown Phantoms
- Laczynski, Connor, Osburn, Jones, and Birdsall Earn USHL Weekly Honors - USHL
- U.S. Men's National Under-18 Team Downs Finland, 7-2, in Pre-Tournament Contest - U.S. National Team
- 2015 RoughRider Playoff Schedule Set - Cedar Rapids RoughRiders
- Phantoms Set to Battle Muskegon in First Round of the Playoffs - Youngstown Phantoms
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