USHL Youngstown Phantoms

Phantoms Notebook: Week No. 22

Published on February 19, 2013 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Youngstown Phantoms News Release


YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - Although playing without their leading scorer, the Youngstown Phantoms looked no worse for wear in Indianapolis last week cruising to a decisive victory over the Indiana Ice on Valentine's Day. However, they hit a road bump Saturday in Michigan with a loss to the Muskegon Lumberjacks. The Phantoms (23-20-0, 46 points) return to the Mahoning Valley with the chance to return the favor against the rivals Lumberjacks (26-14-8, 60 points) Saturday and Sunday, kicking off a five-game homestand at the Covelli Centre.

THE WEEK IN REVIEW

Game No. 42: Phantoms Pot 4 In The 2nd, Cruise Past Indy 6-2

The Phantoms and Ice (17-27-4, 38 points) were gridlocked at one apiece approaching the midway point of the second period when Sam Anas sniped a shot past goaltender Dalton Izyk to spark an offensive outburst. Zach Evancho, Josh Nenadal and JJ Piccinich all followed suit over a span of seven minutes to put Youngstown up 5-1 to open the third period. John Padulo added an insurance marker in the final period while defenseman Tommy Davis opened up the scoring in the first with his fifth goal of the season. Goaltender Sean Romeo made 27 saves to pick up his 19th victory.

Game No. 43: Walker's Goal Not Enough, Phantoms Fall To "˜Jacks 4-1

Left wing Nathan Walker put the Phantoms in front open the scoring Saturday with a power-play tally midway through the first period. But the Lumberjacks knotted it up late in the first and then struck twice in the final two minutes of the second period to carry a 3-1 lead into the third. In the final frame the Lumberjacks were able to stave off a late push from the Phantoms with an empty-net goal to come away with a 4-1 victory Saturday night at L.C. Walker Arena. Romeo turned away 28 shots, but was tagged with the loss, just Youngstown's second in five meetings with Muskegon this season.

LOOSE PUCKS

-- Walker's goal Saturday was his third of the seasonm but his first since Jan. 19. Despite the goal drought, the Aussie winger continued to display plenty of playmaking prowess, dishing out seven assists during that span, including a two-helper night Thursday in Indiana.

-- With game-opening goals from Davis and Walker last week, the Phantoms have scored first in five straight games. Youngstown is 16-4-0 when scoring first this season and getting on the board early has helped translate to a 12-0-0 record when leading after the first period and 15-0-0 record when leading after two.

-- Romeo made both starts Phantoms last weekend and since being named the No. 1 choice between the pipes on Nov. 11, the Cary N.C. native has started 26 of 28 games for Youngstown -the two he missed were due to a suspension - with 16 wins. However, with five games over an eight-day span beginning Saturday, the Maine recruit could be in for some well-earned rest.

-- After scoring the go-ahead goal Thursday in Indy, Anas was held off the score sheet Saturday night in Muskegon - just the fourth time the Quinnipiac commit has been blanked over the last 12 games. Anas has racked up 11 goals, three assists and a cumulative plus-5 rating over those 12 games.

THE WEEK AHEAD

Games No. 44 & 45: Sat., Feb. 23 at 7:15 p.m. and Sun., Feb. 24 at 1 p.m. - Phantoms vs. Lumberjacks

After suffering just their second loss in five meetings with their Eastern Conference rivals, the Phantoms have the opportunity to dispense a little payback against the Lumberjacks this weekend on home ice. Last Saturday in Muskegon, the "˜Jacks were buoyed by the trade-deadline additions Christian Heil, who scored the game-tying goal, and Brian Morgan, who sealed the win with an empty-net goal. Although this time around the Phantoms will have the home rink advantage, they will still be without leading-scorer Austin Cangelosi, who will serve the final two games of his four-game suspension over the weekend set. Michigan natives Ryan Lowney and Kyle Connor, as well as former Lumberjack John Padulo, have racked up a combined 7-7-14 vs. the Lumberjacks this season and will be counted upon to help fill that void.

THEY SAID IT

"All you have to do is spend one day around our team and watch Nathan after practice fire one-timers. You'll see where he gets it from. He's always one of the last ones on the ice shooting pucks from that spot."

-- Head coach Anthony Noreen on Nathan Walker's wicked one-timer from the right circle to open the scoring last Saturday in Muskegon.

PHANTOMS LEADERS

Points: Austin Cangelosi (11-29-40)

Goals: Sam Anas (23, T-fifth in USHL)

Assists: Cangelosi (29)

Power-Play Goals: Anas (7, T-fifth in USHL)

Short-Handed Goals: Cangelosi, Dan Renouf (2, T-fifth in USHL)

Plus/Minus: Renouf (plus-20)

Penalty Minutes: John Padulo (123)

Points by a Defenseman: Ryan Lowney (6-21-27, T-fourth in USHL)

Wins: Sean Romeo (19, fifth in USHL)

Goals Against Average: Romeo (2.89)

Save Percentage: Romeo (.905)

Shutouts: Romeo (4, second in USHL)

PHANTOMS ALUMNI WATCH

-- Bentley forward Brett Gensler (2009-10) racked up 2-2-4 in a pair of games over the weekend as the Falcons beat Army 5-3 Friday and tied 2-2 Saturday.

-- Minnesota State forward Dylan Margonari (2010-12) notched two goals and added an assist Saturday as the No. 9 Mavericks swept Michigan Tech, winning 4-2 Friday and 6-2 Saturday.

-- Bowling Green forward Adam Berkle (2009-11) tallied a goal and an assist Saturday in a loss to Ferris State.

-- Boston College forward Quinn Smith (2010-11) scored a goal as the No. 4 Eagles fell 2-1 to former Phantoms coach Curtis Carr's Merrimack Friday.

-- Wisconsin forward Jefferson Dahl (2009-10) assisted on the game-winning goal as the Badgers upset No. 2 Minnesota 3-2 Sunday at the Hockey City Classic outdoor game at Soldier Field.

-- Nebraska-Omaha defense man Andrej Sustr (2009-10) recorded an assist as the No. 14 Mavericks won a 6-5 firefight with Alaska-Anchorage Saturday.

EVENTS AND PROMOTIONS

Saturday, Feb. 23: Rally Towel Giveaway and Boardman Athletics Celebration

The first 1,000 fans through the doors Saturday will receive a free Phantoms Rally Towel sponsored by ProQuality Land Development. The Covelli Centre opens at 6:15 p.m. and HOT 101 DJ J-Dub will be on the concourse spinning the latest hits to get you amped for puck drop. Plus, the Phantoms will be honoring Boardman Athletics throughout the night.

Sunday, Feb. 24: Family Day Game featuring The Fur Circus and Postgame Skate

The Phantoms Family Day festivities will be highlighted by a "Big Top Stop" from The Fur Circus, but also include pregame activities on the concourse and a free postgame skate for fans with the Phantoms players. The Covelli Centre doors will open early at 11:30 a.m. EST for loads of pregame fun with free face painting, a design-a-sign station and the FURlarious antics of The Fur Circus! In addition, all children 10 years and under will receive a free bouncing session in the inflatable Bounce-A-Round house.

Phantoms Flex Packages are on sale now starting at the low price of just $75. Flex Packages include 10 undated ticket vouchers that can be redeemed at any game and in any increment throughout the rest of the season. Call 330.747.PUCK (7825) for more information or to reserve a Phantoms Flex Package 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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United States Hockey League Stories from February 19, 2013


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