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Third-place Phantoms: Too early to talk playoffs
By Tom Williams
YOUNGSTOWN
Heading into the final game before Christmas break, the Youngstown Phantoms (12-7-5, 29 points) are tied with the Dubuque Fighting Saints for third place in the USHL’s Eastern Conference.
Publicly, the Phantoms say being in playoff contention a little more than a third of the way into the season is not that big of a deal.
“We try not to look at the standings,” forward and alternate captain Kiefer Sherwood said after a recent practice at The Ice Zone in Boardman. “We just try to go and play our game, and let the wins and losses take care of themselves.”
Sherwood was saying what his head coach, Anthony Noreen, preaches.
“I’m a true believer that if you play the right way and do things the right way, those things take care of themselves,” Noreen said.
Privately, the Phantoms are probably as giddy as Ebenezer Scrooge on Christmas morning. A year ago, the Phantoms were mired in last place, pummeled with injuries and the loss of key players from a team that almost won the Eastern Conference just seven months before.
The top four teams in each conference earn postseason berths. The Phantoms’ much-improved start gives them hope for an extended spring in 2015.
Noreen credits the players back from last season for leadership.
“We feel like those guys have taken a huge step,” Noreen said. “[They] went through the rigors of this league last year [and] are coming into their own.”
With 29 points, Max Letunov is tied for second in the USHL in scoring. Kyle Connor is tied for fifth with 27 points.
Noreen says forward Josh Melnick, another alternate captain, has been “arguably the most consistent player we’ve had and been impactful every night.”
“Max has gotten better, he’s gotten stronger, more consistent,” Noreen said. “Kyle is on another level.
“[Defenseman] Matt Miller looked like a rookie defenseman a lot of times last year,” Noreen said. “He’s been solidly consistent.”
Melnick said one difference from a season ago is that “a lot of guys are more team oriented and everyone is definitely buying into the system that coaches are talking. It’s bringing a lot of success.”
Sherwood said depth and a higher compete level have been factors.
Today, the Phantoms will take on Team USA at 7:05 p.m. at the Covelli Centre on Pittsburgh Penguins Alumni Night. The Stanley Cup awarded to NHL champions will be on display.
“I don’t think any of our guys will touch it,” Noreen said. “I’m not touching it, I know that.”
Fearing bad luck, hockey players don’t touch the Stanley Cup before they’ve won it.
“Definitely no — it’s a hockey superstition that if you play, you’re not supposed to touch it because you won’t win it,” Melnick said.
Sherwood says he tries not to buy into superstitions and admits he’s tempted.
“I’m trying to get as close as possible, that’s for sure,” Sherwood said. “It’s the ultimate award that you can receive in hockey. It’s what every hockey player strives for.”
Assistant coach Brad Patterson already has been up close and personal with the Cup. A native of Cranbrook, British Columbia, Patterson has been with the Cup several times when players like the Neidermayer brothers (Scott and Rob) and John Klemm brought the Cup back to their hometown.
“I was fortunate enough to have a few beers outta the Cup,” said Patterson, a former Youngstown SteelHound player.
Wasn’t he worried about violating hockey’s superstition?
“At that stage, I knew I wasn’t going to win the Stanley Cup,” Patterson said.