GHOSTING THE PHANTOMS

The Youngstown Phantoms face off against the U18s for the first time since Dec. 7, 2018, when the Phantoms took a 5-4 overtime decision at USA Hockey Arena. The matchup marks the second of eight total games between Team USA and Youngstown, with the next meeting slated for Friday (Feb. 15) at the Covelli Centre when the U17s square off against the Phantoms for the first time.

The Phantoms own the No. 2 power play in the USHL (29.3 percent) and No. 12 ranked penalty kill (78.6 percent). Their offense ranks No. 9 across the league and their defense comes in at No. 13.

USHL League Ranking: No. 10
Overall 2018-19 Record: 15-12-1-3 (W-L-OTL-SOL)

Phantoms Top Scorers

Brett Murray (19-24-43 in 31 GP)
Connor MacEachern (14-18-32 in 31 GP)
Jack Malone (14-17-31 in 26 GP)

Phantoms Plus/Minus Leaders

Steven Holtz (+5)
Brett Murray (+4)

Phantoms Goaltenders

Chad Veltri (2-0-0-1 in 3 GP, 1.99 GAA, .932 SV%)
Jon Mor (4-6-0-1 in 14 GP, 3.57 GAA, .880 SV%)
Christian Stoever (7-3-0-2 in 14 GP, 3.77 GAA, .865 SV%)

2018-19 Results/Schedule vs. Youngstown Phantoms

Dec. 7, 2018, U18s vs Youngstown Phantoms (OTL, 5-4)

NTDP All-Time Record vs. Youngstown Phantoms

43-38-6 (W-L-OTL)
Home: 27-13-3
Road: 16-25-3

DEALING WITH THE GAMBLERS

The U.S. National Under-17 Team visits Green Bay for a two-game series against the Gamblers on Friday (Jan. 18) and Saturday (Jan. 19). The two meetings mark the lone set of games for the U17s against Green Bay during the 2018-19 season. Team USA will round out its play against the Gamblers when the U18s host a two-game slate in mid-March.

The Gamblers hold 13th-ranked power play in the USHL (17.4 percent) and No. 11 penalty kill (78.8 percent). Green Bay's offense ranks No. 14 in the league and its defense comes in at No. 15.

USHL League Ranking: No. 13
Overall 2018-19 Record: 11-16-4-1 (W-L-OTL-SOL)

Gamblers Top Scorers

Jackson Perbix (4-18-22 in 32 GP)
Jesse Tucker  (8-12-20 in 32 GP)

Gamblers Plus/Minus Leaders

Nicholas Kent (+3)
Benito Posa (+3)

Gamblers Goaltender

Evan Fear (8-9-3-0 in 20 GP, 3.38 GAA, .900 SV%)

2017-18 Results/Schedule vs. Green Bay Gamblers

Oct. 21, 2017, U17s vs Green Bay Gamblers (W, 4-1)
Oct. 22, 2017, U17s vs Green Bay Gamblers (W, 6-4)
Mar. 2, 2018, U18s @ Green Bay Gamblers (W, 5-2)
Mar. 3, 2018, U18s @ Green Bay Gamblers (W, 4-1)

NTDP All-Time Record vs. Green Bay Gamblers

18-20-0 (W-L-OTL)
Home: 10-9-0
Road: 8-11-0

BENDING THE STEEL

The U.S. National Under-17 Team will look to earn its first win against the Chicago Steel in its third game against the Steel this season  Monday (Jan. 21). The matchup marks the second time the U17s have played host to the Steel. Their final encounter against Chicago comes March 9 at Fox Valley Ice Arena.

The Steel own the 10th-ranked power play in the USHL (20.3 percent) and sixth-ranked penalty kill (80.5 percent). Chicago's offensive attack comes in at No. 4 in the league and its defense ranks No. 10.

USHL League Ranking: No. 6
Overall 2018-19 Record: 19-12-1-0 (W-L-OTL-SOL)

Steel Top Scorers

Nick Abruzzese (13-29-42 in 32 GP)
Matteo Pietroniro (11-17-28 in 32 GP)
Neil Shea (9-18-27 in 32 GP)

Steel Plus/Minus Leaders

Christian Sarlo (+7)
Adam Robbins (+7)

Steel Goaltender

Justin Robbins (13-8-1-0 in 23 GP, 3.45 GAA, .873 SV%)

2018-19 Results/Schedule vs. Chicago Steel

Nov. 17, 2018, U17s vs Chicago Steel (L, 5-3)
Dec. 29, 2018, U17s @ Chicago Steel (L, 6-3)

NTDP All-Time Record vs. Chicago Steel

32-25-7 (W-L-OTL)
Home: 17-12-3
Road: 15-13-4