USHL Update

March 17, 2015 - United States Hockey League (USHL) News Release

USHL Playoff Picture
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Making a Run at History ...The Youngstown Phantoms earned a two-game sweep over the Sioux City Musketeers in their weekend series, extending the winning streak of the Phantoms to 14 games. That streak is two games shy of tying the USHL Tier 1 era (2002-present) record for consecutive victories of 16 shared by the Waterloo Black Hawks (2013-14) and Sioux Falls Stampede (2005-06). Youngstown has earned 71 points in the standings this season which is currently the highest total in the USHL and three points shy of a team record set during the 2012-13 season. During the win streak they have also won eight straight on home ice and now have 18 home wins this season, one shy of equaling a team record (19 in 2012-13). They play just two of their final nine contests of the regular season in Youngstown. The Phantoms have scored four-or-more goals in seven of their last eight games and lead the USHL with 200 total goals this season. Kevin Conley netted two goals, including the game-winner, in Friday's 4-2 victory. Matt Alvaro scored two goals, including his third shorthanded tally of the season, in Saturday's 5-1 win. Kyle Connor had multi-point efforts on Friday and Saturday, giving him five consecutive multi-point games (7g, 6a). Kiefer Sherwood dished out three assists over the two-game weekend, extending his point streak to five games (3g, 8a).

Top of the West ...The Tri-City Storm won two of three contests during the week to earn four points in the standings and overtake first place in the Western Conference with 70 total points. Alec Dillon was in net for both victories and now has 21 victories this season, the most wins by a goaltender in a Storm uniform since Carsen Chubak won 21 games during the 2009-10 season. Nick Master (3g, 3a) and Garrett Gamez (1g, 5a) each recorded six points during the week. Jake Wahlin had a USHL career high four points (1g, 3a), including the game-winning goal, in Tuesday's 6-1 win over Lincoln.

Close Ones ...The Fargo Force earned a pair of one-goal victories during their two-game weekend series against Team USA's Under-17 squad. Four of the last five games for the Force have been decided by a single goal, and they now have an 18-7-6 record in one-goal games this season, the most victories in the USHL in one-goal games. T.J. Roo netted the game-winner with just over five minutes to play in Friday's 3-2 victory and then scored again in Saturday's 4-3 shootout win. Playing his third game with the Force, Riley Tufte scored his first USHL goal on Saturday. The 16-year-old was the first overall pick in Phase One of the 2014 USHL Draft. After scoring his fourth goal in a span of four games on Friday, Denis Smirnov converted in the shootout of Saturday's victory. Forward Kyle Sylvester also converted in Saturday's shootout and is now 6-of-9 on his attempts in the extra session this season.

On a Roll ...Team USA forward Matthew Tkachuk scored three goals over two weekend contests for Team USA's Under-18 squad. He has netted five goals over the last four games and is now riding a nine-game point streak in the USHL (8g, 7a), leading his team to a 7-1-1 record over that span. During Friday's 6-2 win against Bloomington, he produced three points (2g, 1a) in a span of 5:52 of game action in the second period.

The Natural ...Green Bay Gamblers forward Sam Miletic had a career night when he tallied four points (3g, 1a) in Sunday's 6-1 victory against the Dubuque Fighting Saints. He netted three consecutive goals over a span of 12:07 of game action to record the natural hat trick, the first multi-goal game of the season for the 17-year-old who had scored eight total goals through 47 previous games for the Gamblers.

Stingy Hawks ...The Waterloo Black Hawks allowed just two goals over their two-game weekend, helping to extend their win streak to three straight. They are a perfect 9-for-9 on the penalty kill during the win streak, including turning away all five shorthanded situations on home ice. The Black Hawks have allowed just 13 power play goals to their opponents this season in Waterloo, the third-fewest on home ice in the USHL this season. Nick Swaney tallied the game-winning goal in Friday's 4-2 victory against Dubuque, his second straight game scoring the game-winner which also gave him five goals in a span of three games. Blake Christiansen scored the game-winner in Sunday's 3-0 victory over Sioux Falls, his third goal over the last four games.

35 Again ...The Cedar Rapids RoughRiders earned a 4-1 victory against Madison on Saturday to collect their USHL-leading 35th win of the season. It extended their win streak to three games, all on home ice, and gives the RoughRiders 35 wins in back-to-back seasons. Andrew Oglevie netted the game-winner on Saturday, which was the 45th goal of his USHL career. Ben Blacker made 21 saves to earn the win, his fourth straight and 21st overall this season.

Just in Time ...Bloomington Thunder forward Shane Bednard played the role of hero on Saturday. With the game tied 3-3 late in regulation, he netted the game-winning goal with just 2.7 seconds remaining on the clock to give Bloomington the victory. It was his 14th goal of the season but first game-winner in the USHL.

A Fine Nine ...The Muskegon Lumberjacks set a team record for goals in a game during their 9-2 victory against the Chicago Steel on Friday, surpassing their previous record of eight. Fifteen different skaters registered a point for the Jacks, including four that had three-point nights - Griffen Molino (2g, 1a), Matej Paulovic (1g, 2a), Tom Marchin (1g, 2a), Christian Wolanin (3a). Dante Palecco netted his first USHL career goal in the contest while defenseman Corey Schueneman scored his first goal since being acquired by the team earlier in the month. Goaltender Eric Schierhorn made 31 saves in net to record his 21st win of the season.

Vance Joy ...Chicago Steel defenseman Carson Vance has come up big since being acquired by the team at the trade deadline. He netted the game-winner in overtime of Saturday's 5-4 victory against Team USA and then followed up with another goal in Sunday's 5-1 win vs. Madison. In 48 previous games, he had just one goal. Vance has produced six points (2g, 4a) in six games for the Steel.

First Impressions ...Omaha Lancers forward Ryan Donato had impressive USHL debut on Friday for the Omaha Lancers. He scored his first USHL goal and dished out an assist in regulation before converting in the shootout of the 4-3 loss to Sioux Falls. The 18-year-old was selected by the Boston Bruins in the second round (56th overall) of the 2014 NHL Draft. During his debut, two other NHL Draft picks also scored goals, including teammate Anthony Angello (Pittsburgh Penguins, 5th round, 145th overall) and Dakota Joshua (Toronto Maple Leafs, 5th round, 128th overall) of the Sioux Falls Stampede.

Road Tripping ...The Sioux Falls Stampede earned a 4-3 shootout victory against Omaha on Friday to snap a three-game losing streak. Newly-acquired forward Mikey Eyssimont had the deciding shootout tally in the fourth round of the extra session. The Herd won again on Saturday as Art Brey made 22 saves in the 3-1 victory over Lincoln to earn his 46th USHL career victory. Kieffer Bellows tallied his 28th goal of the season which proved to be the game-winner. Sioux Falls is now 4-4-0 over the first eight games of their current 10-game road swing.

Noteworthy ...Lincoln Stars forward Sean MacTavish tallied two goals, including the game-winner, in Friday's 4-3 victory against Tri-City. It was the first two goals of his USHL career. He now has four points (2g, 2a) in five games since being acquired by Lincoln...Haralds Egle has netted four goals over his last five games for the Madison Capitols and six goals over his last nine outings. His goal on Sunday was the 20th of his USHL career...Making his USHL debut on Friday, 17-year-old Vladislav Dzhioshvili scored a goal for the Bloomington Thunder a little more than 10 minutes into their 6-2 loss to Team USA...Forward Sam Saliba scored a goal in both weekend contests for the Green Bay Gamblers and now has 10 points (5g, 5a) in 13 games since being acquired by the team...Brendon Kearney, who celebrated his 20th birthday on Thursday, has netted four goals over his last five games for the Chicago Steel...Jack Roslovic scored a goal in both weekend contests for Team USA, including the game-winner in Friday's 6-2 victory against Bloomington. He has goals in four straight USHL contests and in eight of his last 11 games in the League...Brian Bowen has scored three goals over his last four games for the Dubuque Fighting Saints, including a goal in Saturday's 4-3 win against the Green Bay Gamblers, his former team...After scoring two goals in his previous 24 games this season, Omaha Lancers forward Matthew Meier has netted three goals over his last four games...Sioux City Musketeers forward Adam Johnson scored shorthanded in Friday's loss to Youngstown, tying him for the USHL lead with six shorthanded goals this season.

USHL Playoff Picture

USHL Playoff Picture

United States Hockey League Stories from March 17, 2015

• Solid St. Patty's Day Effort - Waterloo Black Hawks
• USHL Update - USHL
• Goransson Commits to UMass-Lowell - Tri-City Storm
• Madison Capitols Weekly Update - Madison Capitols

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