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Alvaro’s line critical in Phantoms’ success
RoughRiders to visit
Covelli Centre for two
By Tom Williams
YOUNGSTOWN
For the eastern-most USHL team, a home-and-home series with a rival from across more than two state lines is unusual.
That’s one reason why the Youngstown Phantoms have embraced their current four-game set against the first-place Cedar Rapids RoughRiders.
“It is a little bit weird having four in a row against them,” Phantoms left winger Matt Alvaro said of the Iowa team. “We’re kind of looking at it as a mini-playoff series.”
Last weekend, the Phantoms went to Iowa and stunned the USHL’s top team with 5-3 and 3-2 victories.
The fourth-place Phantoms (19-11-5, 43 points) needed the wins. The previous weekend, it was the Phantoms’ turn to be stunned as the first-year Madison Capitols won twice at the Covelli Centre (4-0 and 5-2) to tie the Phantoms for fourth place in the Eastern Conference.
Last week’s road trip enabled the Phantoms to build a three-point lead over the Capitols. The top four teams in the conference qualify for the playoffs.
Opinions vary on what sparked the reversal.
Forward Kyle Connor, who scored twice in the first game in Cedar Rapids, admitted there was “payback for the last weekend. We were prepared.”
Phantoms head coach Anthony Noreen agreed.
“Far and away, the best practices we’ve had all year,” Noreen said. “Probably two of the easiest games as a coach I’ve ever had.
“Energy was awesome — I didn’t have to motivate anybody. Guys held each other accountable. As a coach, that is our goal.’
For Noreen, the road trip sparked a memory.
“Only other time that happened was [two] years ago in the playoffs where I could step away and let the guys be,” said Noreen, referring to the 2013 playoffs when the Phantoms ousted the Green Bay Gamblers (3-1) then lost to the eventual champion Dubuque Fighting Saints (3-2) in the Eastern finals. “They didn’t need us and I felt this past weekend they didn’t need us.
“That’s a huge step for this team.”
After the 2013 playoffs, the Phantoms suffered a last-place finish.
“We’ve learned a lot,” Connor said of last season. “Last year’s team struggled in the standings. We’ve learned what it takes to win. This year, we’ve applied [that lesson].”
Noreen credited Alvaro’s line that includes center Chase Pearson and winger and co-captain Josh Nenadal for the Phantoms’ two-gme winning streak.
“They did a phenomenal job — that was our key line,” said Noreen of shutting down the RoughRiders’ top scorers. “That was the line that made us go.”
Tonight and Saturday at the Covelli Centre, the Phantoms and RoughRiders are set for the rematch.
“We know they are going to come out hungry,” Alvaro said. “They are a great hockey team. We know what to expect.
“It’s not acceptable to just win two there then come home and maybe let them steal one or two,” Alvaro said. “Our goal is another [sweep] this weekend.”
It won’t be easy. The RoughRiders (26-10-0, 52 points) have a three-point lead over the Muskegon Lumberjacks.
“Players like [the playoff similarity],” Connor said. “It’s a battle, we’re looking forward to it.”