Phantoms Notebook: Week 27
April 4, 2012 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Youngstown Phantoms News Release
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - The Youngstown Phantoms need just a single point to clinch home ice advantage for the first round of the Clark Cup Playoffs, and can do so this weekend with four points on the line in a pair of games. The Phantoms (30-19-7, fourth East) will be looking to regain their health and rebound from a pair of tough losses to the Green Bay Gamblers when they take on the Chicago Steel this Friday at the Ice Zone in Boardman and the Indiana Ice this Saturday at the Covelli Centre. The puck drops at 7:15 p.m. EST both nights.
The Week In Review
Game 55: Cangelosi's Shorty Not Enough As Out-Manned Phantoms Fall To Gamblers 4-1
Despite being short four skaters thanks to illness and injuries, the Phantoms would not go down easy Friday night at the Resch Center. The Phantoms stayed within a goal of the first-place Gamblers (45-8-3) until the third period, but eventually fell 4-1 to the Anderson Cup champions. Austin Cangelosi scored the lone goal in the second period for the Phantoms - his eighth short-handed and 27th overall. In net Matthew O'Connor turned away 25 of 29 shots.
Game 56: Evancho And Renouf Notch First USHL Goals But Phantoms Fall To Green Bay 5-2
For the second straight night the high-scoring Gamblers proved too much for the short-handed Phantoms. With a total of nine players scratched because of injury and illness, the Phantoms fell to the Gamblers 5-2 Saturday night in the Resch Center, their fourth straight loss overall. Winger Zach Evancho and defenseman Daniel Renouf scored the only goals the Phantoms - the first United States Hockey League goals for both players. O'Connor was again sharp in net turning away 31 of 36 shots but was overwhelmed by wave after wave unrelenting Gamblers.
Loose Pucks
-- Austin Cangelosi's scored his USHL-leading eighth short-handed goal of the season Friday night. The first-year center needs just one more short-handed goal to tie the USHL record of nine set by Dubuque's Mark Mowers during the 1993-1994 season.
-- With short-handed goals from Cangelosi and defenseman Daniel Renouf over the weekend, the Phantoms now have a combined total of 19 - by far the highest mark in the USHL. The Phantoms are just two short-handed goals behind the all-time USHL record of 21, set by the Des Moines Buccaneers in 2005-2006 season.
-- Illness and injuries kept nine mainstays - forwards Sam Anas, Alex Gacek, Jonathan Liau, Dylan Margonari, JT Stenglein and Richard Zehnal along with defensemen Mike Gunn and Kevin Liss - out of the lineup last weekend. Anas, Stenglein, Gacek and Margonari are all among the Phantoms top seven scorers and have combined for 78 goals, 74 assists and 152 points this season.
-- Left wing Pat Conte surpassed Ben Paulides to set a new Phantoms single-season penalty minutes record over the weekend in Green Bay. The Niagara commit now has 191 PIMs on the campaign, the third most in the entire USHL.
-- Affiliate forward Jason Reynolds made his debut Phantoms and USHL debut last weekend in Green Bay. The Phantoms selected Reynolds in the fifth round (63rd overall) in last year's future draft. As a junior, he helped lead Notre Dame Academy in Green Bay to a Wisconsin state high school hockey title with 21 goals, 21 assists and 42 points in 30 games.
The Week Ahead
Game 57: Friday, April 6 at 7:15 p.m. EST at the Ice Zone in Boardman - Phantoms vs. Chicago
The Phantoms face off against the Steel (22-31-3, seventh East) for the eighth and final time of the season Friday at the Ice Zone. With a win the Phantoms would take the season series between the teams after and are guaranteed at least a split after a 5-2 victory in their last meeting back on March 17. But it will not come easy as against a desperate Chicago team. The Steel are still in the in the playoff picture, but would need to win out and get some help from Team USA to reach the postseason.
Game 58: Saturday, April 7 at 7:15 p.m. EST at the Covelli Centre - Phantoms vs. Indiana
The Phantoms will be looking to make up some ground in the USHL Eastern Conference standings against the Ice (33-15-7, second East) Saturday at the Covelli Centre. It will be the final meeting of the season between the Eastern Conference rivals and the Phantoms will want to end it on a high note after dropping the last game 5-2 back on March 24. The Phantoms, however, are 2-1-0 versus the Ice at home this season.
They Said It
"We don't believe in sitting back in any facet of the game."
-- Head Coach Anthony Noreen on his penalty kill unit, which has scored an USHL-leading 19 short-handed goals this season.
Phantoms Leaders
Points: Mike Ambrosia (17G-45A-62PTS)
Goals: JT Stenglein (30, fourth in USHL)
Assists: Ambrosia (45, third in USHL)
Power-Play Goals: Stenglein (9)
Short-Handed Goals: Austin Cangelosi (8, first in USHL)
Points by a Defenseman: Chris Bradley (6G-13A-19PTS)
Plus/Minus: Cangelosi and Alex Gacek (plus-18)
Wins: Matthew O'Connor (27, second in USHL)
Goals Against Average: O'Connor (2.96)
Save Percentage: O'Connor (.904)
Phantoms Alumni Watch
-- A pair of former Phantoms will face off in the Frozen Four as Quinn Smith (2010-2011) and Boston College Eagles take on Tom Serratore (2009-2010) and the Minnesota Golden Gophers. The puck drops Thursday, April 5, at 8:00 p.m. EST in Tampa, Fla., and the game will be broadcast on ESPN 2. The winner will go on to face either Ferris State or Union in the NCAA men's hockey final on Saturday, April 7, at 7:00 p.m. also on ESPN 2.
Events and Promotions
Friday, April 6: "Throwback Night" At The Ice Zone: The Phantoms will be turning the clock back Friday night when they take on the Steel at the Ice Zone in Boardman. Tickets are $10 for general admission but seating is limited. Plus, concessions are available at reduced prices and parking is FREE! Call the Phantoms Office at 330-747-PUCK (7825) for details or to order tickets before it fills up!
Saturday, April 7: "Mascot Mania": Join Sparky and all of his friends for what's sure to be a fun-filled night at the Covelli Centre. Mascots from area high schools like the Poland Bulldog and Hubbard Eagle, along with Pete and Penny the penguins from Youngstown State and Scrappy from the Mahoning Valley Scrappers will be around the concourse interacting with fans! And between periods there will be an all-mascot tug-of-war at center ice!
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 .
United States Hockey League Stories from April 4, 2012
- Fighting Saints Can Clinch Cowbell Cup Friday - Dubuque Fighting Saints
- After Clinching Playoffs, Muskies Gear up for Final Regular Season - Sioux City Musketeers
- Former Storm Players Lead College to Frozen Four - Tri-City Storm
- U.S. Junior League Alumni Set to Shine at Frozen Four - U.S. National Team
- Lumberjacks Log: Fan Appreciation Night Set for Saturday - Muskegon Lumberjacks
- Omaha Lancers News & Notes - Week 28 - Omaha Lancers
- Phantoms Notebook: Week 27 - Youngstown Phantoms
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