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Phantoms looking to spark power play on road
By Kevin Connelly
YOUNGSTOWN
It’s rare to have a day off between games in the USHL, but that’s how the schedule plays out for the Phantoms this weekend.
The team travels to Cedar Rapids for a game against the Rough Riders today, before heading to Ann Arbor to take on the U.S. National Under-17 team Sunday afternoon.
Neither location was kind to the Phantoms (4-5-1, 9 points) during their trips there earlier in the season, but with new parts added to the roster head coach Anthony Noreen feels his team is much more prepared for success this time around.
“Well, I think without a doubt, defensively, we’ve gotten better,” Noreen said. “I think it starts from the back end and obviously having Sean [Romeo] back helps, in addition to Lukas Klok.
“I think our defense has started to mature pretty quick here and I think our team’s starting to understand what kind of philosophy we’re trying to implement defensively, so I hope that shows.”
The Phantoms gave up 16 goals in two games to Team USA to start the season, and then struggled defensively in a 4-3 loss to the Rough Riders two weeks later.
“We’re going to have to be a lot better than we were the last time we were there if we want a chance to beat them,” Noreen said of his team’s previous performance in Cedar Rapids. “I think it’s going to be a great measuring stick for how much we’ve improved since a couple weeks ago when we were up there.”
One area the Phantoms have been struggling of late is on the man advantage. The unit is 0 for its last 23 on the power play dating back to Oct. 11 — a stretch of more than three games. In those games, however, the Phantoms are 2-1 and have won three of their last four, so they’re finding other ways to win.
“I think that was probably the biggest emphasis we had this week, was trying to get a little bit more offense,” Noreen said. “One of the things we talked about was guys putting in extra time and I think we’ve seen that here the last few days. Practice has ended and nobody’s gotten off the ice and that’s not something we’re demanding them to do, that’s something we’ve told them that we suggest they do.”
The team’s top performer on the power play has been forward JJ Piccinich, who’s scored five of his team-leading eight goals with a man advantage. He understands the unit is not where it needs to be right now, but 10 games into the season isn’t a time to panic.
“I think that we just have to stick with what we’re doing,” Piccinich said. “I think we know what’s gonna happen, but it’s just one of those things that we just kind of have to wait and see. But I think that we shouldn’t go changing everything. I think we’re gonna be all right.”
Piccinich experienced change early in his career with the Phantoms, but has taken on more of a leadership role this season. When he first arrived in Youngstown, Noreen and his coaching staff put him on the fourth line in an attempt to get the goal-scorer out of his comfort zone.
“On the checking line we told him his job was to not get scored on, play even hockey, be physical, bring energy to the team, and I think through doing that he became a complete player,” Noreen said. “I think he’s still bringing some of those things that he learned last year and obviously now we’re happy he’s putting pucks in the net as well.”
Piccinich credits his coaches, as well as former teammates Austin Cangelosi and Sam Anas, for the strides he’s been able to make, as he’s quickly become one of the top offensive threats in the league.
“I was able to look up to some really high-end players,” Piccinich said. “They really helped me learn the ropes last year and now I’m just trying to carry that through to this year.”