USHL Youngstown Phantoms

Phantoms Notebook: Week 19

Published on February 8, 2012 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Youngstown Phantoms News Release


YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - The Youngstown Phantoms went 2-1-0 last week, including a pair of marquee road wins over the Dubuque Fighting Saints and the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders. Now with the USHL Trade Deadline behind them, the Phantoms (23-13-3, T-third East) are preparing to make a push toward their first ever Clark Cup playoff appearance, starting this week with a home-and-home series against the Muskegon Lumberjacks.

The Week In Review

Game 37: Chicago Steals Another With 2-Goal Second, Downs Phantoms 3-1

The Phantoms got a goal from Austin Cangelosi and entered the third period tied 1-1 with Chicago Steel. But the Steel (13-24-1, seventh East) netted a pair of goals in the final 20 minutes to hand Youngstown a 3-1 loss front of more than 3,000 screaming fans at the Phantoms' third annual "Hockey For Health" School Day Game. Phantoms goaltender Matthew O'Connor was bested just three times on 33 shots. But his counterpart at the other end, Steel netminder Alex Sakellaropoulos, was even better, turning away 32 of 33 shots to lead Chicago to the win.

Game 38: Phantoms Fend Off Fighting Saints 5-3

The Phantoms got a pair of goals from JT Stenglein, while Cangelosi (1G-2A-3PTS), Sam Anas (1G-1A-2PT) and Mike Ambrosia (0G-2A-2PTS) also had multi-point games, and Soren Jonzzon added an empty-net goal in the victory. O'Connor made 24 saves on 27 shots for his third win of the season over the Fighting Saints (23-12-3, T-third East). It was the Phantoms first road win in Dubuque in two seasons.

Game 39: Phantoms Ride Away From The Stable With First Ever Win

The Stable, home rink of the RoughRiders (16-14-8, sixth East), has not been kind to the Phantoms over their first three seasons in the USHL. But on Saturday night, they owned it. They got a quick goal in the first period and never trailed as they captured a 4-3 win - their first in seven visits to Cedar Rapids. Alex Gacek led the way with a pair of goals and Cangelosi and Anas also found the back of the net. O'Connor turned away 35 of 38 RoughRider shots for his 20th win of the season.

Loose Pucks

-- The Phantoms acquired forward Jonathan Liau from the Omaha Lancers Monday, prior to the USHL Trade Deadline. The Lancers received the Phantoms' fifth-round pick in 2013 in exchange for Liau, who has seven goals and eight assists this season. He is expected to make his Phantoms' debut this weekend and will wear No. 18.

-- The Phantoms also announced Tuesday that they have added forward Zach Evancho to their roster for the remainder of the season. Evancho, 16, put up 14 goals, 18 assists and 32 points in 36 games with Buffalo Jr. Sabres Under-18 AAA team prior to joining the Phantoms. He will wear No. 88.

-- Left wing Mike Ambrosia and center Austin Cangelosi have now registered at least a point in nine straight games each. Cangelosi has scored a goal in five straight games and has six goals, seven assists and 13 points over the nine-game span. With five assists last week, Ambrosia moved three past Omaha's Jimmy Murray for the USHL lead in assists (34).

-- On Monday the USHL named Cangelosi the co-CCM Offensive Player of the Week after scoring three goals and adding a pair of assists in three games last week. The Boston College commit is the seventh different Phantom to capture one of the league's weekly awards this season.

-- Goaltender Matthew O'Connor has won five of his past six starts, including Friday at Dubuque and Saturday at Cedar Rapids. The Boston University commit currently has 20 wins on the season, tied with Indiana netminder Jon Gillies for the USHL lead.

The Week Ahead

Games 39 & 40: Friday, Feb. 10 at 7:15 p.m. EST at L.C. Walker Arena & Sunday Feb. 12 at 2 p.m. EST at the Covelli Centre - Phantoms vs. Muskegon

The Phantoms wrap up their season series with the Lumberjacks (11-19-4, eighth East) with a home-and-home series this weekend. After dropping their first three meetings with the bitter Eastern Conference rivals, the Phantoms have won three straight, including a 7-3 blowout at the Covelli Centre on Jan. 6, to knot up the season series. Mike Ambrosia, Dylan Margonari and JT Stenglein have each recorded five points against the 'Jacks this season.

They Said It

"It seems like every few weeks we have the chance to knock off a couple of firsts. It makes games fun when you know that there's a challenge on the line and the chance to do something for the first time in the program's history - to make your mark as a team."

-- Phantoms Head Coach Anthony Noreen on his team's first road win over Cedar Rapids in franchise history.

Phantoms Leaders

Points: Mike Ambrosia (11G-34A-45PTS, fifth in USHL)

Goals: Austin Cangelosi and JT Stenglein (19)

Assists: Ambrosia (34, first in USHL)

Power-Play Goals: Stenglein (7)

Short-Handed Goals: Cangelosi (6, first in USHL)

Points by a Defenseman: Chris Bradley (5G-6A-11PTS)

Plus/Minus: Cangelosi (plus-19)

Wins: Matthew O'Connor (20, T-first in USHL)

Goals Against Average: O'Connor (2.71)

Save Percentage: O'Connor (.910)

Phantoms Alumni Watch

-- Bowling Green forward Adam Berkle (2009-2011) assisted on a pair of goals Saturday as the Falcons earned a weekend split with a 3-2 win over Notre Dame.

-- Bentley forward Brett Gensler (2009-2010) registered a goal and an assist over two games for the Falcons last weekend as the defeated Sacred Heart 5-2 on Friday and tied them 3-3 on Saturday.

-- Maine forward Stu Higgins (2009-2011) scored the game-winner in overtime Friday night to propel the Black Bears to a 4-3 win over Alabama-Huntsville.

-- Holy Cross defenseman Nilan Nagy (2010-2011) added an assist as the Crusaders shutout American International 4-0 on Saturday.

-- Mercyhurst goaltender Jordan Tibbett (2009-2011) saved 33 of 35 shots for his second win of the season as the Lakers downed Niagara 3-2 on Saturday.

Events and Promotions

Sunday, Feb. 12: Post-Game Skate With Phantoms Players And "Double Dollar Deal Day" : Come down to the Covelli Centre for a Sunday matinee as the Phantoms take on the Muskegon Lumberjacks. It's a "Double Dollar Deal Day" where fans can get a 16-oz. beer, 16-oz. soda, hotdog or popcorn for the low price of just $2 each! Stick around afterwards for a postgame skate with the Phantoms players on the Covelli Centre ice. The Phantoms will provide a limited amount of skates in select sizes for no charge, but fans are encouraged to bring their own.

Friday, Feb. 17: Disney XD "Lab Rats" Sneak Peek : The Phantoms are partnering with Radio Disney AM 1260 to provide a one-of-a-kind experience for fans at a Phantoms game this season. On Friday, Feb. 17, fans will have the chance to get an exclusive preview of the brand-new upcoming Disney XD series Lab Rats in the Covelli Centre before the Phantoms take on the Chicago Steel.

In addition to getting a sneak peek of Lab Rats before the show premieres, the Radio Disney AM 1260 Road Crewwill be on hand with interactive entertainment and prizes for fans of all ages. The first 1,000 fans will also receive a free Lab Rats poster, courtesy of Radio Disney AM 1260. The Covelli Centre doors will open early at 5:30 p.m. ESTand the exclusive premiere of Lab Rats will air at 6 p.m. on the video boards. The puck drops between the Phantoms and Steel at 7:15 p.m. EST.

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 February 8, 2012


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