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USHL Youngstown Phantoms

Phantoms Notebook: 2013 Preseason

September 11, 2013 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Youngstown Phantoms News Release


YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - The Youngstown Phantoms opened up the preseason last weekend in the Garden State, taking part in the inaugural USHL Atlantic Challenge. The Purple and Orange came away with wins over the Sioux City Musketeers and Sioux Falls Stampede but fell to the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders in their final contest of the three-day showcase. They hit the road again this weekend for their final tune-up before start of the regular season when they take on the defending Clark Cup champion Dubuque Fighting Saints Friday and U.S. National Team Development Program Saturday at the USHL Fall Classic East in Indianapolis.

The Week In Review

Atlantic Challenge Game 1: Youngstown 3, Sioux City 2

The Phantoms got off to a good start in their first game of the preseason, downing the Musketeers 3-2 Friday at the Ice House in Hackensack, N.J. Third-year forward Zach Evancho started the scoring in the opening period and rookies Kiefer Sherwood and Josh Melnick both found the back of the net in the second to give Youngstown a two-goal cushion heading into the third. The Musketeers were able to bring the game within one in the final period but goaltender Jake Moore turned away every subsequent chance to secure the win.

Atlantic Challenge Game 2: Youngstown 3, Sioux Falls 2

Swedish center Alfred Larsson put the Phantoms on the board less than six minutes into the opening period and Sherwood tallied his second of the preseason three minutes later to take a 2-0 lead into the intermission. The Stampede responded with a pair of goals from Logan O'Conner to knot things up after two but Sherwood struck again on a power play just 9:07 into the third to put Youngstown ahead for good. Moore finished the night with 24 saves to pick up his second straight victory.

Atlantic Challenge Game 3: Youngstown 3, Cedar Rapids 5

After a pair of close wins the Phantoms hit the wall Sunday, falling to the rival RoughRiders at Codey Arena in West Orange, N.J. Dylan Gareau put Cedar Rapids up 2:36 into the second period but first-year defenseman Matt Miller evened things up for the Phantoms just the buzzer. Russian rookie Maxim Letunov gave Youngstown the lead 4:04 into the second with a nifty backhander, but the RoughRiders responded with three straight goals in a six-minute span to grab a 4-2 lead. The Phantoms' Phase 2 first-round USHL Draft pick Blake Christensen brought them back within one with 5:58 remaining in regulation but Dylan McLaughlin put the 'Riders back up two less than three minutes later.

Loose Pucks

-- Kiefer Sherwood was one of the most impressive affiliates to play up with the Phantoms last season but despite racking up 24 shots over nine games, he couldn't find the back of the net. His luck changed at the Atlantic Challenge as the New Albany, Ohio native tallied three goals in as many games to pace Youngstown. He's currently tied for first place USHL preseason goal-scoring.

-- In all, five different first-year players - forwards Sherwood, Josh Melnick, Maxim Letunov and Blake Christensen and defenseman Matt Miller - all scored goals throughout the three-day showcase. Although it may be the preseason, it is certainly an encouraging sign for the Phantoms, who saw five of their top six goal scorers from last season move on to the next level.

-- One Youngstown returner who's expected to shoulder a heavy scoring load this season was noticeably absent at the Atlantic Challenge: Nathan Walker. The Australian forward had good reason, however. He is currently taking part in the Washington Capitals' rookie camp.

-- The Phantoms got to play guinea pigs following Friday's win over the Musketeers. The teams played five minutes of 3-on-3 overtime as part of a test program following the end of regulation. The USHL, however, has no plans to implement the new OT measures.

The Week Ahead

USHL Fall Classic East: Friday, Sept. 13 at 5:45 p.m. - Phantoms vs. Fighting Saints

The Phantoms face the team that ended their season last year to open up play in Indy. Although the Fighting Saints have seen a good deal of turnover from last year's championship team, they have also enjoyed the added bonus of additional preseason games under their belts. Dubuque represented the United States and the USHL at this year's Junior Club World Cup in Omsk, Russia. The Saints, under first-year head coach Matt Shaw, went 3-2-0 in Russia and captured the bronze medal. They also split a pair of exhibition games earlier this week, downing the Green Bay Gamblers 5-1 Sunday and falling to Cedar Rapids 5-3 Tuesday.

USHL Fall Classic East: Saturday, Sept. 14 at 10:15 a.m. - Phantoms vs. Team USA

Youngstown closes out preseason play Saturday morning at Bankers Life Fieldhouse when it takes on Team USA. The Phantoms split their season series with the National Team last year going 4-4-0 and Michigan native Kyle Connor racked up four goals, three assists and seven points over the span. Saturday's matchup is sure to be an intriguing one as the squads will meet again the following weekend in Ann Arbor, Mich. to kick off the 2013-14 USHL regular season.

They Said It

"Hopefully the biggest thing we learned is what it takes to compete - the type of effort and the type of consistency it takes to have a chance in this league."

-- Head coach Anthony Noreen on his squad's biggest takeaway from the Atlantic Challenge.

Phantoms Alumni Watch

-- Forward John Padulo (2012-13) was invited to the San Jose Sharks' rookie camp and traveled with the squad last week to take part in the Young Stars Classic preseason tournament in Penticton, British Columbia. The Sharks went 1-2-0 in three games and Padulo registered a plus-one rating in their lone win, a 3-2 victory over the Calgary Flames rookies.

-- Tampa Bay prospect defenseman Andrej Sustr (2009-10) joined the Lightning rookies at the Coral Springs, Fla. rookie tournament last week. The former Phantoms and Nebraska-Omaha blue liner is also slated to take part in Tampa Bay's training camp, which gets underway today.

Season tickets for the 2013-14 season are on sale now starting at the low price of just $8 a game. Benefits include invitations to exclusive season ticket holder events, discounts at the Phantoms Team Shop and much more. 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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