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USHL Youngstown Phantoms

Trey's Point Trio Pushes Phantoms over Jacks

February 7, 2014 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Youngstown Phantoms News Release


YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - Led by Trey Bradley's three-point performance, including two power play assists in the third period, Youngstown prevailed over Muskegon by a 3-1 score at the Covelli Centre on Friday evening.

The win marks the second in a row for Youngstown (10-24-5, 25 points), who have won consecutive games for the first time since October 11 and 12.

Bradley, playing in just his 13th USHL game, now has 12 points centering the Phantoms' top line alongside Kyle Connor and JJ Piccinich.

"Playing with [Connor and Piccinich] has been getting a lot better," said Bradley. "We're finding each other more on the ice, in the zone, and the power play seems to be clicking a lot better. Things are looking great."

Phantoms head coach Anthony Noreen continues to like what he sees from the Connor-Bradley-Piccinich unit; the three skaters combined for six points on the night.

"They get better and better every game," said Noreen. "It's exciting to watch them right now, and [to think about] what they're going to turn into together as a line. When you're close to it, sometimes it's hard to see how special it is, but there's not a day that goes by in practice where you don't watch those three guys. Other guys too, but those three guys do some things that make you shake your head and laugh."

Bradley put the Phantoms on the board while on the ice apart from his usual linemates. The Tampa, Florida native chipped a Zach Evancho rebound over Eric Schierhorn to put Youngstown ahead 1-0 at 6:07 of the second period. To that point, the game was incredibly tight, with either team's goalie making some huge stops. In particular, Phantoms netminder Sean Romeo had to turn aside a few big Muskegon odd man rushes in the opening frame.

"It makes you feel good to not let those [odd man rushes] in, and to have a good start," said Romeo. "I prefer not to see them, but since I did, I stopped them, and felt confident for the rest of the game."

The Lumberjacks were finally able to solve Romeo with just two seconds remaining in the second period. Matt Iacopelli scored his 29th goal of the season to tie the game at 1-1. The late nature of the goal immediately called to mind memories of last Saturday's opening period against Dubuque, when the Fighting Saints rushed the Phantoms for two goals in the final two minutes of the first period. Despite the setback, the Phantoms were again able to show mental resolve to come out strong in the third period, eventually winning the game.

"I don't think it phased us," said Romeo on the Iacopelli goal. "We didn't want it to happen, but we got in the locker room and said, 'we just have to go from here.' We had a great third period."

Noreen credited his team's maturity in their response.

"I thought it was almost good that it was so late in the period, since we got to immediately go to the locker room. We didn't see any signs of [a letdown]; guys weren't hanging their heads. I think that's part of the maturing process for this team. Situations like that could have very easily let [Muskegon] have the momentum in the third, but I thought it was the opposite."

Indeed, the Phantoms clamped down in the third period, with Romeo continuing to shut the door. Connor put Youngstown ahead with a power play goal at 7:02, and Piccinich extended the lead to 3-1 at 9:47. Bradley assisted on both goals, which came on the power play and prominently featured the Phantoms' top unit.

"We've been moving the puck a lot better," said Bradley. "After you play with those guys for a little bit, they're both really skilled, so every time you step on the ice, we're going to make a lot of things happen."

Adding to the all-around impressiveness of the contest was the physicality with which the Phantoms played. Determined to not let Muskegon outwork them, Noreen praised his team's all-around effort level.

"I thought we had great energy," said Noreen, crediting Alfred Larsson's line for setting the tone with a great opening shift. "I thought we were hard, I thought we were physical. We were playing our type of game by dropping the gloves and mixing it up. I thought we were very good from start to finish."

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