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YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - The Youngstown Phantoms are right back in action this week after a three-game homestand. The Phantoms (8-5-0) travel to Bensenville, Ill., Friday where they will be looking for their second win ofthe season over the Chicago Steel. Then Saturday they return to the Covelli Centre to host the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders. The puck drops Saturday at 7:15p.m. EST.
The Week In Review
Game 11: Lumberjacks Halt Phantoms' Winning Streak
The Phantoms had their four-game home winning streak ended Friday night by rival Muskegon, falling 2-1. Goaltender Matthew O'Connor made 33 saves and Ryan Belonger scored the lone Youngstown goal in the third period to tie the game. But a minute later the Lumberjacks (6-6-0) retook the lead and were able to hold onto it for the win.
Game 12: Phantoms Get Back On Track Against Defending Champs
The Phantoms bounced back in a big way Saturday nightagainst the Dubuque Fighting Saints. Richard Zehal and JT Stenglein both recorded a goal and an assist and three other Phantoms - Brent Norris, Sam Anas and Dylan Margonari - tickled the twine to cruise past the Fighting Saints (9-3-1) by a score of 5-2.
Game 13: Phantoms' Late Comeback Bid Falls Short Against Fighting Saints
Dubuque jumped out to a two-goal lead in the first periodand stretched it out to 4-0 in the second. But the Phantoms would not go easilyand Anas tallied a pair of power-play goals - including one with just fiveseconds left in the second period - to make it a 4-2 game heading into thethird. Stenglein scored a goal on a short-handed breakaway to make it aone-goal game in the third but the Phantoms could not pull themselves out ofthe four-goal hole.
Loose Pucks
-- Left wing JT Stenglein recorded a pair of goalsand a pair of assists over the weekend. Over the past four games the Greece,N.Y. native has six points - twice his season total from 2010-11 - and he haseight points on the year.
-- Defensemen Kevin Liss and Eric Sweetmanhave been tasked with shutting down some of the league's most dangerous playersin recent weeks. On Nov. 5 they held the one of the USHL's top scorers, DaniilTarasov, to a single assist as the Phantoms beat Indiana 4-3 in a shootout. Thispast Saturday, they kept Dubuque's Zemgus Girgensons off the score sheet forjust the fourth time all season and held him without a shot for the first timethis campaign.
-- The Phantomsreceived a welcomed boost this week with the return of center Austin Cangelosi and defenseman Chris Bradley. Both missed the pastfive games while representing Team USA in the World Junior A Challenge inLangley, British Columbia. Cangelosi finished the tournament with a goal andtwo assists as Team USA captured the bronze medal.
The Week Ahead
Game 14: Friday, Nov. 18 at 8:30 p.m. EST - Phantoms atChicago Steel
This is the Phantoms' second trip to the Edge Ice Arena inBensenville this season and they will be hoping for a similar result as thefirst go-round. Cangelosi scored a pair of goals in the Phantoms' 3-0 shutout winover the Steel (5-9-0) back in October. O'Connor captured the USHL's ReebokGoaltender of the Week award for his 22-save performance.
Game 15: Saturday, Nov. 19 at 7:15 p.m. EST - Phantoms vs.Cedar Rapids RoughRiders
Saturday the Phantoms return to the friendly confines of theCovelli Centre where they are 5-2-0 this season, but they will have a toughtask on their hands with Cedar Rapids (7-3-2). Alex Gacek scored the game-winning goal as the Phantoms came awaywith a thrilling 4-3 overtime win in their last meeting on Oct. 20. But, theRoughRiders have won five of their last seven since then and are currently tiedwith the Phantoms for third place in the USHL Eastern Conference.
They Said It
"I don't care if you score 100points or zero points. If you're going to play on this team - if you're goingto put on that jersey as long as I'm here - you're going to finish hits andyou're going to block shots. That's non-negotiable, no matter who you are."
-- Head Coach AnthonyNoreen on his team philosophy.
Phantoms Alumni Watch
-- Former Phantoms forward Andej Sustr (2009-2010) recorded a pair ofassist Saturday as University of Nebraska - Omaha cruised past Bemidji State5-1.
-- Former Phantoms captain Adam Berkle (2009-2011) alsotallied a pair of helpers on Saturday as Bowling Green beat Canisius 3-1.
-- Former Phantoms Head Coach Curtis Carr, now an assistantat Merrimack College, helped lead the Warriors to a 3-2 overtime win overBoston University on Friday. Merrimack is currently the only remainingundefeated team in NCAA Division I hockey and are ranked No. 2 in the nation.
Events and Promotions
Tuesday, Nov. 16: Youngstown Phantoms "Behind the Glass": Tune into ESPN 1240 AM WBBW from6-7 p.m. tonight for the Youngstown Phantoms "Behind the Glass" radio showhosted by the voice of the Phantoms Bart Logan and Larry Synder. Phantoms leftwing Sam Anas and defenseman Jordan Young will join them in thestudio to preview the upcoming slate of games this weekend. Fans can call in to330.782.1240 with questions and can also listen to the show streaming online athttp://www.WBBW.com.
Saturday, Nov. 19: Star Wars Night and T-Shirt Giveaway: The Force will be strong in theCovelli Centre Saturday night as Darth Vader and all your favorite charactersfrom a galaxy far, far away will be in attendance for the Phantoms' Star WarsNight. On top of that, the first 1,000 fans in attendance will receive a freePhantoms T-Shirt sponsored by PMF Rentals and Eagle Wear. The doors open at6:15 p.m. EST.
Single game tickets for the 2011-12 season are on sale now. Seasonticket and flex plans start at the low price of just $90. Call the Phantomsoffice today at 330.747.7825 for more information or to make a reservationtoday! For a complete Phantoms schedule, visit www.youngstownphantoms.com.
Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, the USHL celebrates its10th season as the nation's only Tier I junior hockey league in2011-12. With over 280 players from last season that were committed to NCAADivision I schools and 18 NHL Entry Draft picks that were on League rosters,the USHL is the nation's foremost producer of junior hockey talent. For moreinformation, visit us on the web at www.USHL.com.
It's not just hockey. It's the USHL.
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