USHL Youngstown Phantoms

Phantoms Face Team USA on Saturday

Published on October 21, 2011 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Youngstown Phantoms News Release


YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - The Youngstown Phantoms travel to Ann Arbor, Mich., to take on Team USA Saturday afternoon at 3:00 p.m. EST. It is the second meeting between the teams after Team USA came away with the victory in the United States Hockey League regular season opener back on Sept. 30.

The loss to Team USA was a watershed moment for the Phantoms and their leadership core. Head Coach Anthony Noreen did not even talk to his team immediately afterwards - the players addressed the problems internally.

"I definitely think that's where some of our leadership emerged," Noreen said. "Guys like Mike Ambrosia, Dylan Margonari, Chris Bradley and Mike Gunn all had things to say in that meeting. They really established a mindset that it wasn't OK to just be average anymore."

"It was embarrassing to lose like that," Margonari said. "We told them it was unacceptable and we needed to fix it and go forward."

There has been no looking back.

Since that loss, the Phantoms are undefeated, winning their fourth straight game Thursday night in a 4-3 overtime thriller over Cedar Rapids at the Covelli Centre. The Phantoms got a pair of goals from center Austin Cangelosi and right wing Alex Gacek scored the game-winner 1:44 into the extra stanza.

The win moved the Phantoms into a three-way tie for first place in the USHL Eastern Conference standings with Indiana and Green Bay.

"[Thursday] night was the first time we've beaten Cedar Rapids in the regular season," Noreen said. "[Friday] we have the chance to set the longest winning streak this team has ever had.

"Those are things that are kind of minor accomplishments along the way but it's all part of building the legacy and the identity we want moving forward."

For Team USA, the path has been a very different one since the teams both met back in September at the Ice Cube. In four games since, Team USA have gone 0-3-1, most recently falling 4-1 to Indiana last Saturday.

Noreen said that even though the teams have been on different trajectories since the game, the Phantoms need to put that out of mind. The only thing that should be on their mind is payback.

"We remember what that loss felt like," Noreen said. "But we're looking forward to the opportunity we have on our plate tomorrow."

* * *

Bradley And Cangelosi Named To US Junior Select Team

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - Youngstown Phantoms defenseman Chris Bradley and center Austin Cangelosi will get the opportunity to represent their country in early November at one of the premier select tournaments in the world. Bradley and Cangelosi are among 20 United States Hockey League representatives who will make up the 22-player U.S. National Junior Select Team, which will compete in the World Junior A Challenge in Langley, British Columbia, from Nov. 7-11.

Phantoms Head Coach Anthony Noreen said the selection is a great opportunity for the Bradley and Cangelosi and is also reflection of the progress the franchise has made in recent years.

"Not many people get to go on a world stage and wear their country's jersey," he said. "I think it's something they'll never forget and I think it speaks volumes for what we're trying to do here in Youngstown."

Bradley, 18, is in the midst of his second season with the Phantoms and is committed to play at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 2012-2013. The Williamsville, N.Y. native has recorded a pair of assists in five games this season and owns the league's second best plus/minus rating at plus-6.

"I think what is attractive about Chris Bradley is his versatility," Noreen said. "He's a guy they can use in any situation - he can play power play and kill penalties - and he brings great character and leadership."

Cangelosi, 17, is enjoying massive success just five games into his USHL career. The Estero, Fla. native leads the league with seven goals, three short-handed goals and is tied for the league lead with nine points. Cangelosi is committed to play at Boston College in 2013-2014.

"The dynamic that Austin has offensively and, even more so, his work ethic in every other area of the rink exemplifies everything USA Hockey wants their players to be like," Noreen said.

The 2011 World Junior A Challenge is a six-team tournament.

In addition to the United States, teams come from the Canada East, Canada West, Czech Republic, Russia and Sweden will be participating.

USHL Players on the 2011 U.S. Junior Select Team

Goaltenders : Ryan McKay (Green Bay Gamblers), Matt Morris (Dubuque Fighting Saints)

Defensemen : Chris Bradley (Youngstown Phantoms), Brian Cooper (Fargo Force), Ian McCoshen (Waterloo Black Hawks), Ethan Prow (Des Moines Buccaneers), Jordan Schmaltz (Sioux City Musketeers), Andy Welinski (Green Bay Gamblers)

Forward : Riley Bourbonnais (Cedar Rapids RoughRiders), Alex Broadhurst (Green Bay Gamblers), Tony Cameranesi (Waterloo Black Hawks), Austin Cangelosi (Youngstown Phantoms), Sam Herr (Green Bay Gamblers), Vince Hinostroza (Waterloo Black Hawks), Kevin Irwin (Des Moines Buccaneers), Sean Kuraly (Indiana Ice), A.J. Michaelson (Waterloo Black Hawks), Brett Patterson (Sioux City Musketeers), Ray Pigozzi (Des Moines Buccaneers), and Austyn Young (Sioux Falls Stampede)

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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United States Hockey League Stories from October 21, 2011


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