USHL Youngstown Phantoms

Phantoms Notebook: Week 1

Published on September 28, 2011 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Youngstown Phantoms News Release


YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - This past weekend the Youngstown Phantoms wrapped up their preseason at the United States Hockey League Fall Classic in Sioux City, Iowa. The Phantoms went 2-1-0 with wins over the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders and Sioux Falls Stampede before falling on Saturday to the Lincoln Stars. The team finished the preseason with a record of 3-2-0, including a win at Muskegon and a loss at Team USA the week before.

Weekend Review

Game 3: Stenglein's Late Goal Gives Phantoms 5-4 Win Over Cedar Rapids

The Phantoms opened up their third Fall Classic Thursday night against the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders and came back from three separate deficits to defeat the 2010-2011 USHL regular season champions. JT Stenglein scored the game-winning goal with just 27 seconds remaining in regulation while goaltender Matt O'Connor made 24 saves, fending off a late flurry from the RoughRiders to preserve the win. Both Stenglein and Richard Zehnal registered a goal and an assist and the Phantoms were deadly on the power play, converting three of their seven chances. Mike Gunn, Dylan Margonari and Pat Conte also scored for the Phantoms.

Game 4: Ambrosia Nets a Pair, Phantoms Trample Stampede 7-2

Mike Ambrosia

opened up the first period with two goals, off assists from Austin Cangelosi, before the 11-minute mark and the Phantoms never looked back against Sioux Falls. Cangelosi, Stephen Collins, Margonari, Stenglein and Justin Stevens tallied goals as well. Sean Romeo turned away 30 of 32 shots in his second start of the preseason. Cangelosi and Ambrosia combined for 3G-2A-5PTS on the night and 12 Phantoms registered at least a point in a dominant win over the Stampede.

Game 5: Phantoms Fall 6-4 to Lincoln in Fall Classic Finale

The Phantoms bid to go undefeated in Sioux City came up short on Saturday against Lincoln. The Stars got ahead early and never trailed. Ambrosia, Ryan Belonger, Nolan Culver and Alex Gacek all found the back of the net and the Phantoms battled back from 3-1 and 4-3 deficits, but were never able to grab ahold of the lead. Lincoln scored the eventual game-winner against O'Connor with 55 seconds remaining in regulation and added an empty-net goal to secure the 6-4 win.

Loose Pucks

- Mike Ambrosia led the Phantoms with three goals at the Fall Classic, including a short-handed tally against Sioux Falls and a power-play goal on Saturday, which tied the game at 4-4 with 2:21 remaining against Lincoln. He finished the preseason with a team-leading five goals.

- After registering 1G-2A-3PTS in 43 regular season games in 2010-2011, JT Stenglein surpassed that total in three games at the Fall Classic. He led the Phantoms with 2G-2A-4PTS over the weekend and will look to continue scoring at that rate once the regular season gets started on Friday.

- Both Alex Gacek and Nolan Culver scored their first career USHL goals in the loss to Lincoln. Gacek, a Miami (Ohio) commit, had seven assists but never found the back of the net in 41 games last season with Youngstown and Indiana. Culver is entering his first season in the USHL after a successful career with Ohio high school powerhouse Sylvania Northview.

- The Phantoms were especially potent on the man-advantage during the preseason. In five games they converted 9-of-24 chances - nearly 38 percent of their power plays. That mark was good for tops in the league during the preseason and their nine power-play goals were also the most scored by any team. The Phantoms also killed 81 percent of their penalties, and did not surrender a power-play goal for eight straight periods from Sept. 17 to Sept. 23.

The Week Ahead

Game 1: Friday Sept. 30 Youngstown Phantoms at Team USA

The Phantoms open up their third season in the USHL Friday against Team USA at 7:00 p.m. at the Ice Cube in Ann Arbor, Mich. In 2010-2011 the Phantoms went 3-2-1 against Team USA with four of six games going to overtime or a shootout. Chris Bradley leads all returning Phantoms players with 1G-2A-3PTS last season against Team USA. The two teams faced off earlier this preseason with Ambrosia and Collins scoring for the Phantoms in a 7-2 loss.

They Said It

"We're a team that just battles all the time. We'll never quit. I'm sure you're going to see that all season. That's the way we play and that's the way we're always going to play."

-- RW Ryan Belonger on his team's ability to fight back to tie the game twice before eventually falling to Lincoln on Saturday.

Event and Promotions

Sparky's Birthday Bash : Join the Youngstown Phantoms Kids Club and Billet Families on Sunday Oct. 2 at The Ice Zone for Sparky's Birthday Bash! Youngstown Phantoms Kids Club members and Billet Families come early for an exclusive meet and greet with the 2011-2012 team from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.! Then from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., join the Phantoms and Sparky for a public skate. Admission and skate rental is free for Phantoms Kids Club members and Billet Families, and just $5 for general public! For details call 330.747.PUCK.

Single game tickets for the 2011-12 season are on sale now and start at $10. Season ticket 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 September 28, 2011


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