USHL Update - Week 18

Published on January 31, 2012 under United States Hockey League (USHL) News Release

Around the League

Fanfare ...USHL fans continued their overwhelming support over the weekend. The Sioux City Musketeers set an all-time team attendance mark when they welcomed 4,623 fans to their game on Saturday vs. Fargo. It surpassed the previous mark (4,530) that was set almost exactly one year earlier (1/29/11). The Cedar Rapids RoughRiders had 3,876 fans in attendance for the rivalry game against Waterloo on Saturday, the most fans to see a Riders home game this season. The Lincoln Stars hosted 4,124 fans to see their victory against Des Moines on Friday. It was the sixth time over the last eight home games that the Stars have surpassed 4,000 in attendance. The Youngstown Phantoms hit their second-highest attendance of the season with 2,900 fans at Friday's win over Dubuque. The Tri-City Storm also hit their second-highest mark of the season with 3,277 fans attending Saturday's 3-2 shootout win against Sioux Falls. The Storm game was also broadcast live on television throughout the state of Nebraska. The Des Moines Buccaneers had their second-most fans in attendance on Saturday with 3,462 which was the third straight home game welcoming more than 3,400 Buccaneers fans.

Storm Streak ...The Tri-City Storm captured a pair of victories during the weekend and have pushed their winning streak to three games, equaling a season best. The Storm have been a perfect 12-for-12 on the penalty kill during the streak. Each of their last three wins have been by a 3-2 final score, including Friday's victory vs. Omaha. Although the Tri-City was outshot 32-16 on Friday, Michael Vecchione tallied the game-winner with just 1:18 remaining in the third period to give the Storm their first victory in Omaha since February 27th, 2009. They were 0-5-2 in seven previous contests in Omaha. On Saturday, the Storm improved to 2-0 in shootouts when Nick Lappin and Trevor Moore converted in the extra session to give them a 3-2 win over Sioux Falls. Lappin also scored a goal during regulation in both weekend contests to give him 19 for the season, which is currently seventh overall in the USHL. Goaltender Adam Wilcox earned both wins making combined 60 saves and turning away 2-of-3 in the shootout.

Steel Trifecta ...The Chicago Steel have also put together a three-game win streak after earning a pair of wins to close out the month of January. They equaled a season high with three power play goals in Friday's 5-4 shootout win against Indiana. Andrew Miller scored a pair of goals (1 PPG, 1 SHG) to give him a team-leading 15 for the season. Charlie O'Connor scored the lone goal in a seven-round shootout to help the Steel improve to 3-0 in shootouts this season. Goaltender Alex Sakellaropoulos stopped all seven Indiana attempts in the shootout to go along with 19 saves on 20 shots after coming on in a relief appearance. Ray Pigozzi scored his first goal in a Steel uniform on Saturday and Ali Thomas netted his second game-winning goal of the season as Chicago captured a 5-2 win against Green Bay, their first victory in six meetings with Green Bay this season. Sakellaropoulos made a season high 41 saves to earn his third straight win.

On the Home Front ...The Youngstown Phantoms got back to their winning ways on home ice with a pair of victories, giving them 13 for the season which is tied for the USHL lead. The second-best penalty killing on home ice in the League (88.1%) was also up to the task turning away 8-of-9 opponent power play chances in the two wins. Mike Ambrosia led the way with three points (2g, 1a), including the game-winning goal, in Thursday's 4-3 victory against Waterloo. He then dished out an assist in Friday's 3-2 win vs. Dubuque to give a total of 29 assists for the season, one shy of the League lead. Goaltender Matthew O'Connor made 40 saves on Friday to earn his 18th victory of the season. Austin Cangelosi scored a goal in both wins, extending his point streak to six contests.

Home Cooking ...The Green Bay Gamblers won both of their home games during the week and are tied with Youngstown for the League lead with 13 total home wins this season. Goaltender Ryan McKay stopped all 25 shots he faced in Friday's 4-0 win against Cedar Rapids to record his seventh career USHL shutout. Ville Jarvelainen scored two goals in the contest. On Sunday, Grant Arnold scored two goals in the 6-2 win over Indiana. It was the first time he had lit the lamp since November 12th after missing nearly two months with an injury. Nolan LaPorte tallied the game-winner in both victories for the Gamblers.

Big "D" for Lancers ...The Omaha Lancers collected two wins during the weekend and sit in sole possession of first place in the Western Conference. The defense was the big story over the two wins. Not only did they help hold the opposition to just two goals, Lancers defensemen also played a big part in the scoring column. Nolan Zajac scored a goal in both victories, including the game-winner in Friday's 4-0 shutout against Des Moines. Kenney Morrison had a point in both contests (1g, 1a), extending his point streak to five games. The first USHL goal for defenseman Kevin Schulze was the game-winner in Sunday's 6-2 victory against Fargo.

Slamming the Door ...Sioux City Musketeers goaltender Matt Skoff stopped all 31 shots he faced on Thursday in the 2-0 win vs. Fargo. It was his 11th career USHL shutout and also snapped the nine-game winning streak of Fargo, the longest in the USHL this season.

First Timers ...It was a day of firsts for a pair of Dubuque Fighting Saints players on Sunday. Defenseman Michael Downing had a memorable first USHL goal as it was the overtime-winner in the 4-3 victory against Muskegon. The Downing goal also gave goaltender Connor Girard his first USHL win as he stopped 35 shots in just his second USHL appearance.

Wild Night ...It was a wild contest on Saturday as the Waterloo Black Hawks and Cedar Rapids RoughRiders renewed their rivalry for the sixth time this season. Waterloo forward Scott MacDonald had a hat trick, including two shorthanded goals. The two shorthanded tallies in one game tied a USHL player record. For the Riders, a pair of players equaled a League season high with five-point nights. Dennis Kravchenko scored a goal and dished out four assists while Jack Rowe collected five assists. The five assists in a game were the most by a USHL player in over year - last accomplished by Blake Coleman (Indiana Ice) on January 2nd, 2011.

Notes ...Playing in his 73rd career USHL game on Saturday, Indiana Ice defenseman Joe Fiala scored his first USHL goal in the 5-3 win over Muskegon...Jared Hanson scored two goals, including the game-winner, during the Lincoln Stars 5-2 win vs. Des Moines on Friday, three days after celebrating his 19th birthday...A.J. Michaelson scored two goals for the Waterloo Black Hawks in their 7-3 win against Des Moines on Sunday, equaling his goal total in 37 previous USHL contests. He also added a goal earlier in the week during the 2012 USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game...After teammate Tyler Kelleher scored his 10th goal of the season, Tyler Motte added his 10th of the season for Team USA and then netted the overtime-winner for his 11th in the 4-3 win against Muskegon on Friday.

United States Hockey League Stories from January 31, 2012

• USHL Update - Week 18 - USHL
• Phantoms Face Streaking Steel in School Day Game - Youngstown Phantoms
• Musketeers Continue Homestand this Weekend - Sioux City Musketeers

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