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USHL Youngstown Phantoms

Phantoms Notebook: Week No. 20

January 29, 2014 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Youngstown Phantoms News Release


YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - The Phantoms finished their seven-game homestand with a spirited battle against the Team USA U18 side at the Covelli Centre on Friday, and then hit to the road for their first away game since December 29 to face the Chicago Steel on Saturday.

THE WEEK IN REVIEW

In what figured to be a formidable test against a highly regarded opponent, the Phantoms concluded their homestand with a game against Team USA's U18 squad on Friday. Although Team USA won the contest by a 4-2 final, the Phantoms gave one of their finest all-around efforts of the season. After one period, JJ Piccinich's power play goal was the only tally, giving the Phantoms the lead after 20 minutes.

In the second, Team USA tied the game courtesy of Nolan Stevens, and they took the lead at 1:01 of the third through Ryan Bliss. However, Trey Bradley deftly deflected a Matt Miller point shot past goaltender Blake Weyrick to level the game just 49 seconds later. Team USA took advantage of Youngstown's shorthanded defensive corps to take the lead at 5:02 on a Jack Eichel rebound, and an empty netter for Sonny Milano sealed the game.

On Saturday, the Phantoms headed to the Edge Ice Arena in Bensenville, Illinois to face the Chicago Steel. It would be the first meeting between the two sides in Illinois this season. Not unlike the previous day's contest, the Phantoms displayed admirable effort for the majority of the game, but came up just shy in the end.

The first period would see the two sides play to a scoreless draw, and in the second, the Steel got the first goal at 2:15. Some undisciplined play by Chicago saw the Phantoms get several power play chances in that middle stanza, and they took advantage to the tune of two power play goals (one each for Piccinich and Conor Lemirande). Youngstown held a 2-1 lead after two.

In the third, Chicago tilted the ice in their favor, tying the game at 4:59 and winning it at 19:14 to shock the Phantoms. Coach Anthony Noreen credited the Steel's ability to win faceoffs and generate puck possession in the final third as the difference in the game.

LOOSE PUCKS

- Kyle Connor is holding an active seven-game point streak, which began with a one-assist performance on January 10 vs. Muskegon. The future Michigan Wolverine has 10 points over his last seven games, and he has notched exactly one assist in each of his last five contests.

- JJ Piccinich's two power play goals over the weekend were his 11th and 12th such tallies of the season. He now leads the USHL in power play goals by three over second place Zeb Knutson of Sioux Falls.

- Trey Bradley continues to impress as a full-time USHL player. He has points in three of his last four contests, including a goal and an assist over the span of last weekend. He has seven points in 10 games this season for the Phantoms.

- Conor Lemirande's power play goal on Saturday was the second goal of his USHL career. He scored the goal in front of his parents, who were in attendance at the game, which was played just south of their home in Janesville, Wisconsin.

- Bo Pellah missed Friday's game due to injury, but he returned on Saturday, registering a power play assist. Pellah has three assists in his first six games as a Phantom, with two coming on the power play.

- The Phantom power play went 3/11 over the weekend (27%), exceeding their season average of 16.8%.

- Tyler Spezia's "Bobby Orr" goal from January 22 against Indiana was featured in the USHL's weekly Top Plays video, and as of Wednesday morning, holds 78% of the fan vote as the Top USHL Play of the Week.

THE WEEK AHEAD

The Phantoms will be in eastern Iowa to face the defending Clark Cup and Anderson Cup champion Dubuque Fighting Saints for a Friday/Saturday doubleheader. Friday's showdown begins at 8:35 pm eastern time, and Saturday's is slated to start at 8:05 pm.

THEY SAID IT

"We're going to get some rest and we're going to move forward. We're not going to feel sorry for ourselves. We're going to go back to work on Monday, and we're going to get better."

- Anthony Noreen following Saturday's game against Chicago.

PHANTOMS LEADERS

Points: Kyle Connor (16-28-44, 3rd in USHL)

Goals: JJ Piccinich (21, T-3rd in USHL)

Assists: Connor (28, T-3rd in USHL)

Power Play Goals: Piccinich (12, leads USHL)

Shorthanded Goals: Tyler Spezia (2, T-2nd in USHL)

Plus/Minus: Steven Ruggiero (E)

Penalty Minutes: Conor Lemirande (97, 7th in USHL)

Points by a Defenseman: Bo Pellah (3 as a Phantom, 19 overall)

Wins: Colin DeAugustine (5)

Goals Against Average: Sean Romeo (3.53)

Save Percentage: Romeo (.887)

Shutouts: Romeo, DeAugustine (1 each)

ALUMNI WATCH

- Bridgeport's Scott Mayfield has registered three assists over his last three contests in the AHL.

- Bemidji State's Danny Mattson ranks fourth on the Beavers in scoring. He had two assists against Alaska on January 25.

- Brett Gensler continues to lead Bentley in scoring. He had a goal and an assist against Holy Cross on January 25. He is tied for sixth in the NCAA in scoring, and is holding an active 13-game scoring streak dating back to November 29.

- Bowling Green's Adam Berkle had a three-goal weekend against Lake Superior State.

- Denver's Ty Loney scored a goal vs. North Dakota on January 24. He ranks fifth on the Pioneers in scoring.

- Ferris State's Ryan Lowney notched an assist vs. Michigan Tech on January 25.

- A pair of alumni on the Miami Redhawks got on the scoreboard January 25 against Colorado College: Alex Gacek had a goal, and Ben Paulides had an assist.

- Dylan Margonari had an assist for Minnesota State against Minnesota-Duluth on January 24.

- Niagara's Pat Conte had two goals vs. RIT on January 25. It was the first multi-point/multi-goal game of his career.

- Penn State's Taylor Holstrom had a goal against Boston College on January 25, and now ranks fourth on the Nittany Lions in scoring.

- Quinnipiac's Sam Anas has not played in a game since January 18, but he continues to lead all NCAA freshmen in scoring.

- St. Lawrence's Alex Dahl recorded a goal against Cornell on January 24. His teammate Eric Sweetman had two assists over the weekend as well.

Single game tickets are on sale now for all Phantoms' home games at the Covelli Centre. Phantoms 10-Game Flex Plans are also available starting at the low price of just $89. 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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