USHL Youngstown Phantoms

Phantoms Notebook: Week No. 9

Published on November 20, 2012 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Youngstown Phantoms News Release


YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - A reinvigorated Youngstown Phantoms team dominated the rival Muskegon Lumberjacks last Saturday in Michigan, handing the Eastern Conference's second-place team one of its most lopsided losses of the season. The Phantoms (6-11-0, 12 points) have the chance to build off the banner win this Wednesday on the road against the Indiana Ice before returning to the Mahoning Valley for games this Friday and Saturday against Team USA.

The Week In Review

Game No. 17: Phantoms Ride 4-Goal 2nd To Win Over Rival Lumberjacks

The Phantoms erupted for four goals in the second period to cut down the Lumberjacks (11-5-1, 23 points) by a score of 6-3 Saturday night at L.C. Walker Arena. Six different players scored for the Phantoms, who snapped a four-game slide. Austin Cangelosi, Kyle Connor, Sam Anas and John Padulo each notched a goal and an assist while Luke Stork and Markus McCrea also found the back of the net. Meanwhile, goaltender Sean Romeo turned away 39 shots and a number of acrobatic saves to secure his fourth win of the 2012-13 campaign.

Loose Pucks

-- Austin Cangelosi notched a goal and an assist in Saturday's win for fourth multi-point game of the season, but his first since Oct. 5 in Waterloo. The Phantoms are 4-0-0 when Cangelosi records two-plus points.

-- Saturday was Cangelosi's first game since capturing gold with Team USA at the World Junior A Challenge, but he showed no signs of fatigue, using his explosive speed to draw a penalty shot and create two other breakaways.

-- John Padulo had one of his best performances of the season against his former team Saturday night. The veteran winger scored a goal and added an assist in the win over the Lumberjacks and set the tone for the Phantoms' "team-first" approach when he took a slash immediately after the game's opening faceoff to earn a power play.

-- Goaltender Sean Romeo, who was stellar in last Saturday's win, was included on NHL Central Scouting's preliminary rankings for the 2013 NHL Entry Draft Tuesday. The Cary, N.C. native is the No. 3 ranked goaltender in the USHL behind Waterloo's Eamon McAdam and Cal Petersen.

The Week Ahead

Game No. 18: Wednesday, Nov. 21 at 7:05 p.m. EST - Phantoms at Indiana

The Phantoms and Ice (6-12-1, 13 points) get the Thanksgiving festivities started early Wednesday night in Indianapolis. It's the second meeting of the season between the two Eastern Conference opponents, who are both coming off wins over the weekend. The Phantoms fought off a furious third-period push from Indiana to come away with a 6-5 win on Oct. 31 at the Covelli Centre. Tommy Davis and John Padulo led the way with power-play goals, just the second time the Phantoms have managed to capitalize more than once on the man-advantage this season. Indiana forward Austin Ortega has been a dynamic offensive threat with 10 goals and 10 assists through 19 games, but the Ice have struggled at the other end of the ice, where they have surrendered 69 goals - the most in the USHL.

Games No. 19 & 20: Friday, Nov. 23 & Saturday, Nov. 24 at 7:15 p.m. EST - Phantoms vs. Team USA

Team USA (5-8-1, 11 points) makes its first trip to the Covelli Centre Friday and Saturday. Center Austin Cangelosi averaged a point per-game last season (four goal, four assists) against the National Team Development Program, but the Phantoms were on the short end of the season series, going 3-4-1 - although they finished strong with wins in three of the final four meetings. Team USA stumbled out of the gate this season, but has been red-hot of late with three straight wins including high-profile victories over the Chicago Steel last Saturday and the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders the following afternoon.

They Said It

"His game could be summed up by the first five seconds of the first period. A guy's trying to take a liberty on him - and John's a pretty competitive guy and pretty feisty guy - and for him to take that chop for the team and get us a power play right from the first shift, I think that speaks volumes for what type of teammate and leader he is for us."

-- Phantoms head coach Anthony Noreen on winger John Padulo's game Saturday.

Phantoms Leaders

Points: Austin Cangelosi (7-8-15)

Goals: Cangelosi (7)

Assists: Cangelosi, John Padulo (8)

Power-Play Goals: Six tied (1)

Short-Handed Goals: Cangelosi, Ryan Lowney (1)

Plus/Minus: Dan Renouf (plus-11)

Penalty Minutes: JT Stenglein (56)

Points by a Defenseman: Lowney, Eric Sweetman (2-4-6)

Wins: Sean Romeo (4)

Goals Against Average: Patrick Spano (3.42)

Save Percentage: Patrick Spano (.887)

Phantoms Alumni Watch

-- Bentley forward Brett Gensler (2009-10) racked up three goals and two assists over a pair of wins for the Eagles over American International last Friday and Connecticut last Saturday.

-- Denver defenseman Scott Mayfield (2009-11) tallied a goal last Friday and added an assist last Saturday as the No. 2 Pioneers swept rival Colorado College.

-- Miami forward Alex Gacek (2010-12) scored the opening goal for the No. 5 RedHawks in a 2-2 tie with Michigan State last Friday.

-- Bowling Green forward Adam Berkle (2009-2011) scored a goal as the Falcons fell 4-3 to Ferris State last Friday.

-- Minnesota Forward Tommy Serratore (2009-10) scored a goal as the No. 4 Gophers downed Wisconsin 3-1 last Saturday.

Events and Promotions

Friday, Nov. 23: Phantoms and WFMJ Food Drive for Project Feed Our Valley

The Phantoms are proud to take part in WFMJ's Project Feed Our Valley to benefit Second Harvest Food Bank of the Mahoning Valley. The Phantoms will be collecting non-perishable food items at the Covelli Centre box office leading up to the Friday, Nov. 23 game against Team USA. Fans who donate two or more non-perishable food items will receive a voucher that can be redeemed for a $6 purple or green level ticket for a savings of as much as $9.

Saturday, Nov. 24: Phantoms' "Teddy Bear Toss" Game

The Phantoms will hold their annual "Teddy Bear Toss" game Saturday, Nov. 24 to kick off the Holiday Season. Tickets are just $6 for fans to bring a teddy bear or other stuffed animals to throw on the ice when the Phantoms score their first goal and the team will also have stuffed animals available to purchase for $5 on the concourse. All the toys gathered to be donated to Akron Children's Hospital of Mahoning Valley and Toys For Tots. Last year the Phantoms donated nearly 700 stuffed animals! Santa will also be at the game to kick off the Holiday season and there will be a full-team autograph session for fans after the game.

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 20, 2012


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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