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USHL Youngstown Phantoms

Phantoms Suffer Setback vs. Team USA to Close out Road Swing

March 19, 2013 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Youngstown Phantoms News Release


ANN ARBOR, Mich. - The Youngstown Phantoms felt the effects of five straight road games, including four in six day, against the U.S. National Under-18 Team Tuesday night. After trailing 2-0 heading into the second period, first-year forward Kyle Connor was able to bring the Phantoms within one, but Team USA closed out the period with three unanswered goals on the way to an 8-2 victory.

Connor also set up Cam Brown for Youngstown's lone other goal, coming on a power play in the third period. Jake Moore got nod between the pipes in lieu of Sean Romeo, who started three nights in a row to close out last week and 17 of the Phantoms' previous 18 games overall, but struggled in the face of a 40-shot barrage from Team USA, picking up the first loss of this United States Hockey League career.

"It just wasn't our night whatever reason," head coach Anthony Noreen said. "It didn't seem like it mattered the harder we played. Things weren't going our way."

Team USA (18-29-5, 41 points) grabbed the lead less than three minutes into the action. Tyler Kelleher burst into the Youngstown zone and drove wide and then sent a backhand shot that pinballed through the slot and found its way past Moore. Jack Eichel gave the National Team a 2-0 cushion with just 27 seconds in the period after a wide shot from Will Butcher bounced right off the end boards and onto his stick for a shot on an open net.

Connor got the Phantoms (31-22-0, 62 points) on the board just 1:42 into the second period with a quick shot off an offensive zone draw. Austin Cangelosi won the faceoff right back to Michigan commit and he pulled the trigger before USA netminder Thatcher Demko had a chance to react for his 14th goal of the season and third in the past four games.

"Kyle played really well for us all night," Noreen said. "His game never changed - never veered. It didn't matter the score, he kept creating great chances for us all night."

But the National Team followed with three unanswered goals over the final 14 minutes of the period to take a comfortable 5-1 lead into the locker room. Michael McCarron started it off by digging a puck out from under Moore and slipping it past him, and that followed with a point shot that was redirect by Tommy Vannelli to make it 4-1 at the 8:26 mark.

Tyler Motte gave USA a four-goal cushion when he was left unaccounted for on the backdoor with six minutes remaining in the middle period. Then Motte notched his second of the night just 24 seconds after the start of the third.

Brown brought the Phantoms back within four on a power play with 7:30 remaining in the period. Connor slid a pass across the crease to find Brown wide open at the right circle and he sniped it past Demko for his second goal in as many games.

"I though the power play was one of the brightest spots for us tonight," Noreen said. "They moved the puck very well - both units. I don't think we quit at any point tonight and Cam Brown's goal was a great example of that."

But the National Team did not let up and got a pair of late goals from Eichel and Evan Allen over the final three minutes of regulation to secure the win. Noreen said loss served as a reminder that the Phantoms, who had won eight of their last nine games coming into the night, must remain grounded as they prepare to return home for a pair of games against the Indiana Ice this week.

"Something was off today - maybe our preparation - but it's something we need to fix," he said. "We've got some huge games coming up, starting with Indiana Thursday, and we need to continue get better before that."

Phantoms by the Numbers

Shots - 20

Saves - 32

Power Play - 1-for-5

Penalty Kill - 2-for-3

Goals - Brown, Connor

Assists - Cangelosi, Connor, Larsson

Next on the Slate

After five straight on the road, the Phantoms will play four of their next five games at home in the Covelli Centre. It kicks off Thursday and Friday when they host the Indiana Ice. Puck drop is set for 7:15 p.m. EST both nights.

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 March 19, 2013


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