USHL Youngstown Phantoms

Phantoms Notebook: Week No. 7

Published on November 6, 2012 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Youngstown Phantoms News Release


YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - The Youngstown Phantoms snapped their seven-game skid last Wednesday, but hit a bump in the road this past weekend in Wisconsin, falling in a pair of games against the Green Bay Gamblers. The Eastern Conference rivals will go right back at it again this weekend with a pair of games at the Covelli Centre.

The Week In Review

Game No. 13: Phantoms Come Up Short Against Gamblers

With their top two scorers Austin Cangelosi and JT Stenglein away representing their country at the World Junior A Challenge, the Phantoms (5-9-0, 10 points) struggled to create offense Friday at Brown County Arena. The Gamblers (4-7-2, 10 points) netted a pair of goals on the power play and their goaltender Michael Rotolo turned away all 27 shots he faced to shut out the Phantoms 5-0 in the first of a two-game set. Goaltender Sean Romeo got the start in net for Youngstown and surrendered four goals on 13 shots in the loss. Patrick Spano came on in relief in the second period and turned away 22 of 23 pucks thrown his way.

Game No. 14: Phantoms Can't Cash In Against Gamblers, Fall 3-1

The Phantoms grabbed the lead early Saturday night and dominated play until the final buzzer, but came away with nothing to show for it. The Gamblers knotted the game up late in the first period, took the lead on a second-period power play and hung on for dear life until Jimmy Irwin's empty-net goal with 24 seconds remaining to snatch a 3-1 win and weekend sweep of Youngstown. Alexander Dahl scored his third goal of the season for the Phantoms to match his 2011-12 total, while Spano turned away 21 of 23 shots in the loss.

Loose Pucks

-- Recently acquired winger Josh Nenadal, who was obtained last Thursday from Waterloo, recorded his first point as a Phantom on Saturday night when he assisted on Alexander Dahl's game-opening goal.

-- Dahl's goal Saturday was his third of the season, matching his total from 2011-12, when he played in all but one of the Phantoms' 60 games. The second-year center from Eau Claire, Wis. is currently on pace to triple his nine-point total from last season.

-- Team USA is off to a flying start at the World Junior A Challenge in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia and Phantoms Austin Cangelosi and JT Stenglein have played a role in it. The pair accounted for all three of the U.S. team's three goals (Stenglein two, Cangelosi one) in a 4-3 exhibition shootout loss on Saturday and then notched a combined three assists (Cangelosi two, Stenglein one) in USA's 9-1 rout of Canada East in the opening game of the group stage.

-- Team USA takes on Switzerland in its final game of the group stage Tuesday night at 7:30 p.m. EST. Fans can watch Cangelosi, Stenglein and the rest of Team USA at the WJAC for free on FASTHockey. Go to http://usahockey.fasthockey.com to sign up for a free account.

The Week Ahead

Games 15 & 16: Sat., Nov. 10 at 7:15 p.m. EST and Sun., Nov. 11 at 2 p.m. - Phantoms vs. Green Bay:

The Phantoms will look to avenge last weekend's when the Gamblers make the trek to the Mahoning Valley for a pair of games this Saturday and Sunday. Before the Gamblers take the ice at the Covelli Centre, though, they will travel to Indianapolis to take on the Indiana Ice Friday. Depending on the outcome, Youngstown may find itself trailing Green Bay in the Eastern Conference standings for the first time this season when the teams meet Saturday. Although the Phantoms will still be missing top-two scorers Austin Cangelsoi and JT Stenglein this weekend the Gamblers will be without their top line of Alex Kile, Sheldon Dries and Nicholas Schilkey and were dealt another blow on Sunday when tendered forward Brendan Lemieux left the team of the Ontario Hockey League's Barrie Colts. Going back to 2011-12 season finale, Wisconsin native Alexander Dahl has goals in two of his past three regular season contests vs. the Gamblers.

They Said It

"A lot of individual players have been making progress at individual times. As a team we need a find away to where we're all making steps together in the right direction, and we don't revert back."

-- Phantoms head coach Anthony Noreen after his team's loss last Saturday in Green Bay.

Phantoms Leaders

Points: Austin Cangelosi (6-7-13)

Goals: Cangelosi, JT Stenglein (6)

Assists: Cangelosi (7)

Power-Play Goals: Five tied (1)

Short-Handed Goals: Cangelosi, Ryan Lowney (2)

Plus/Minus: Dan Renouf (plus-8)

Penalty Minutes: Stenglein (56, fourth in USHL)

Points by a Defenseman: Eric Sweetman (2-3-5)

Wins: Sean Romeo (3)

Goals Against Average: Patrick Spano (3.31)

Save Percentage: Spano (.891)

Phantoms Alumni Watch

-- Bentley forward Brett Gensler (2009-10) notch two goals and two assists as the Falcons spit a pair of game against Robert Morris last weekend against. The junior leads the Atlantic Hockey conference and is tied for third in the nation in scoring with 12 points through six games.

-- Minnesota State forward Dylan Margonari (2010-12) scored the third-period game-winning goal as the Mavericks upset then No. 2-ranked Minnesota 5-3 last Saturday.

-- Boston goaltender Matthew O'Connor (2010-12) turned away 26 shots to backstop the No. 11 Terriers to a 4-2 win over No. 6 North Dakota last Saturday. The freshman netminder is 4-0-0 on the season for Boston with a .942 save percentage.

-- Mercyhurst goaltender Jordan Tibbett (2009-11) allowed just one goal and made 39 saves to lead the Lakers to a 3-1 win over Sacred Heart last Saturday.

-- Bowling Green forward Adam Berkle (2009-11) assisted on the lone goal as the Falcons shutout Michigan State 1-0 last Friday.

Events and Promotions

Saturday, Nov. 10: Scout Night and Justin Bieber Ticket Giveaway

Saturday is the first Scout Night of the season as the Youngstown Phantoms take on the Green Bay Gamblers. Area Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts can pre-order group tickets for just $8 and receive an honorary Phantoms scout patch. Call the Phantoms Office at 330.747.PUCK (7825) to register by Wednesday.

Additionally, the Phantoms will be giving away tickets to pop phenom Justin Bieber's sold-out concert Nov. 20 in Pittsburgh. All fans in attendance will be entered into the drawing and fans who bring a ticket stub from the Phantoms' Oct. 26, Oct. 28 or Oct. 31 games will receive additional entries. Limit one ticket stub per game per person. Max of four entries per person.

Sunday, Nov. 11: Military Appreciation Day and Postgame Skate

The Phantoms will be honoring our men and women in uniform on Veteran's Day Sunday. All active military members and veteran will receive a special $5 ticket and will be recognized throughout the game. Following the game, there will be a free skate for fans on the Covelli Centre ice. The Ice Zone will provide a limited number of skates in select sizes but fans are encouraged to bring their own.

Season tickets for the 2012-13 season are on sale now starting at the low price of just $7 a game. Benefits include invitations to exclusive season ticket holder events, discounts at the Phantoms Team Shop, playoff priority and much more. 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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United States Hockey League Stories from November 6, 2012


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