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Phantoms ‘expecting to win’
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The Youngstown Phantoms have struggled to score on the power play this season, but thanks to players such as defenseman Jordan Young, left, the team is dominating even-strength situations. Young is plus-8 in even-strength goals, helping the Phantoms to the thirdbest record in the USHL so far.
By Tom Williams
YOUNGSTOWN
It’s hard to believe that the USHL team struggling the most on power plays has the league’s third-best record.
The Youngstown Phantoms (13-6-1, 27 points) trail only the Green Bay Gamblers (35 points) and Dubuque Fighting Saints (29) despite scoring on fewer than one-in-10 man-advantage situations.
How are the Phantoms keeping ahead of the pack? Dominance at even strength.
The Phantoms have scored 52 goals and allowed 39 when both teams have had the same amount of skaters. That statistic is pretty much the reason why the hockey team is off to its best start in its three seasons in the USHL.
Of the 67 goals the Phantoms scored in their first 20 games, nine were recorded with an extra skater and six have been tallied while killing penalties.
Of the 56 goals allowed, one came when the Phantoms were on the power play while opponents’ power plays have been successful 16 times,
Those numbers indicate that the Phantoms are succeeding in tight games. (They are 3-1 in games going past regulation and 1-1 in shootouts).
“I definitely like it when games are close,” said defenseman Jordan Young who is plus 8 in even-strength goals. “Those games are always exciting, every shift means something.”
Chris Bradley, another defenseman who shares the team lead at plus 11 with defenseman Michael Gunn, says shutting down the opposition in close games is a badge of honors for the backliners.
“Blowouts are fine, but the close ones are the best times for us on the ice,” Bradley said. “To be out there late and knowing you need to make a play to keep in the game, those are the best.”
Heading into Saturday’s home game against the Chicago Steel, only one player has a minus rating.
First-year forward Austin Cangelosi is third on the team with plus 10. Captain Mike Ambrosia, the Phantoms’ leading scorer with 16 points, is tied with Young for fourth place.
Phantoms coach Anthony Noreen says his players who aren’t big scorers “pride themselves on plus/minus numbers.
“From blocking shots to limiting scoring chances, they take pride in that stat,” Noreen said. “It’s a real measure of success on how well we are defending.”
After last season’s roller-coaster ride where the Phantoms were eliminated from the postseason only after the final game, Bradley and Young are enjoying the flying start.
“It’s different,” said Bradley who hails from Buffalo and has a scholarship to attend RPI. “Last year, we went into games hoping to win.
“This year, we’re expecting to win,” Bradley said. “The team doing well shows we’re taking pride in what we do on and off the ice.”
Noreen said Bradley has blossomed into a “good, steady, pass-first defenseman on the power play. Kevin Liss is showing much more on offense this season and Young is better on offense and defense.”
Of the newcomers, Noreen said Gunn has been a surprise because of his physical intensity.
Penalty-killing also has boosted the Phantoms. They’re fifth in the 16-team league at skating off opponents’ man-advantage opportunities.
Young, who has not yet made a college commitment, said winning has lifted spirits.
“It’s nice to go to sleep with that winning feeling,” Young said,
Next week, the Phantoms will take their final road trip of 2012 (Green Bay and Des Moines) before taking a Christmas break of nine days.
An early present for Young will be missing the bus ride from Iowa to Ohio. Instead, he’ll be flying from Des Moines to Arizona to spend the holiday with his family.