Get to know...
Jimmy Mazza
WHERE FROM: Long Island, NY
POSITION: Defenseman
BIRTHDAY: July 7, 1994
PREVIOUS TEAM: New York Bobcats (AJHL)
WHAT'S ON YOUR IPOD: Pandora: Summer Hits 90s
FAVORITE FOOD: Fresh clams or the halfshell
FAVORITE PART OF ROAD TRIPS: Angering away fans
PREGAME RITUAL: Pregame nap and shower
FAVORITE MOVIE: "Animal House" and "What Happens in Vegas"
FAVORITE TV SHOW: The Sopranos
Who on the Phantoms is...
BIGGEST CLOWN: Dan Renouf
SHYEST: Kale Bennett
MOST OUTGOING: Jon Padulo
COACH NOREEN'S FAVORITE: Austin Cangelosi
BIGGEST LADIES MAN: Jake Moore
BIGGEST DIVA: Sean Romeo
MOST LIKELY TO OVERSLEEP AND MISS PRACTICE: Todd Koritzinsky
Phantoms notebook
YOUNGSTOWN - Although playing without their leading scorer, the Youngstown Phantoms looked no worse for wear in Indianapolis last week cruising to a decisive victory over the Indiana Ice on Valentine's Day. However, they hit a road bump Saturday in Michigan with a loss to the Muskegon Lumberjacks. The Phantoms (23-20-0, 46 points) return to the Mahoning Valley with the chance to return the favor against the rivals Lumberjacks (26-14-8, 60 points) Saturday and Sunday, kicking off a five-game homestand at the Covelli Centre.
LAST WEEK IN REVIEW: The Phantoms and Ice (17-27-4, 38 points) were gridlocked at one approaching the midway point of the second period Thursday when Sam Anas sniped a shot past goaltender Dalton Izyk to spark an offensive outburst. Zach Evancho, Josh Nenadal and JJ Piccinich all followed suit over a span of seven minutes to put Youngstown up 5-1 to open the third period. John Padulo added an insurance marker in the final period while defenseman Tommy Davis opened up the scoring in the first with his fifth goal of the season. Goaltender Sean Romeo made 27 saves to pick up his 19th victory.
On Saturday, left wing Nathan Walker put the Phantoms in front open the scoring with a power-play tally midway through the first period. But the Lumberjacks knotted it up late in the first and then struck twice in the final two minutes of the second period to carry a 3-1 lead into the third. In the final frame the Lumberjacks were able to stave off a late push from the Phantoms with an empty-net goal to come away with a 4-1 victory Saturday night at L.C. Walker Arena. Romeo turned away 28 shots, but was tagged with the loss, just Youngstown's second in five meetings with Muskegon this season.
LOOSE PUCKS: Walker's goal Saturday was his third of the seasonm but his first since Jan. 19. Despite the goal drought, the Aussie winger continued to display plenty of playmaking prowess, dishing out seven assists during that span, including a two-helper night Thursday in Indiana. ... With game-opening goals from Davis and Walker last week, the Phantoms have scored first in five straight games. Youngstown is 16-4-0 when scoring first this season and getting on the board early has helped translate to a 12-0-0 record when leading after the first period and 15-0-0 record when leading after two. ... Romeo made both starts Phantoms last weekend and since being named the No. 1 choice between the pipes on Nov. 11, the Cary N.C. native has started 26 of 28 games for Youngstown the two he missed were due to a suspension with 16 wins. However, with five games over an eight-day span beginning Saturday, the Maine recruit could be in for some well-earned rest. ... After scoring the go-ahead goal Thursday in Indy, Anas was held off the score sheet Saturday night in Muskegon just the fourth time the Quinnipiac commit has been blanked over the last 12 games. Anas has racked up 11 goals, three assists and a cumulative plus-5 rating over those 12 games.
LOOKING AHEAD: After suffering just their second loss in five meetings with their Eastern Conference rivals, the Phantoms have the opportunity to dispense a little payback against the Lumberjacks this weekend on home ice. Last Saturday in Muskegon, the 'Jacks were buoyed by the trade-deadline additions Christian Heil, who scored the game-tying goal, and Brian Morgan, who sealed the win with an empty-net goal. Although this time around the Phantoms will have the home rink advantage, they will still be without leading-scorer Austin Cangelosi, who will serve the final two games of his four-game suspension over the weekend set. Michigan natives Ryan Lowney and Kyle Connor, as well as former Lumberjack John Padulo, have racked up a combined 7-7-14 against the Lumberjacks this season and will be counted upon to help fill that void.
PHANTOMS LEADERS
Points: Austin Cangelosi (11-29-40)
Goals: Sam Anas (23, T-fifth in USHL)
Assists: Cangelosi (29
Power-Play Goals: Anas (7, T-fifth in USHL)
Short-Handed Goals: Cangelosi, Dan Renouf (2, T-fifth in USHL)
Plus/Minus: Renouf (plus-20)
Penalty Minutes: John Padulo (123)
Points by a Defenseman: Ryan Lowney (6-21-27, T-fourth in USHL)
Wins: Sean Romeo (19, fifth in USHL)
Goals Against Average: Romeo (2.89)
Save Percentage: Romeo (.905)
Shutouts: Romeo (4, second in USHL)
