USHL Honors - Week 28

Press Release

The United States Hockey League today announced the weekly award winners for the 28th week of the 2011-12 USHL regular season.

Award winners include forward Phillip Marinaccio of the Chicago Steel, named recipient of CCM Offensive Player of the Week; defenseman Mitch Witek of the Waterloo Black Hawks, selected as CCM Defensive Player of the Week; and Sean Romeo of the Youngstown Phantoms who earned Reebok Goaltender of the Week.

Marinaccio scored seven points (3g, 4a) and posted a plus-two rating as the Steel captured five of six points in the standings over three games during the week. He scored a goal and dished out an assist in the 6-5 shootout loss to Indiana on Wednesday, which was his third straight game scoring a goal. The forward, who turns 19 this week, then had a USHL career high five points (2g, 3a) in the 9-4 victory against Team USA on Saturday. Marinaccio also equaled a League season high when he finished the game with a plus-six rating. The native of Vaughan, Ontario has come on strong over the second half of the season as he has collected 25 points (9g, 16a) over the last 18 games. The Steel have posted an 11-4-3 record during that stretch.

Witek collected four points (1g, 3a) and posted a plus-three rating as the Black Hawks earned a split over two weekend contests. He dished out an assist in Friday’s 4-3 loss to Dubuque. The native of Downers Grove, Illinois then had a USHL career high three points (1g, 2a) in the 5-3 victory over Green Bay on Saturday. Witek also finished with a game high plus-three rating. The 20-year-old has tallied 24 points (2g, 22a) in 57 games for Waterloo this season and has posted a plus-14 rating. A veteran of 102 regular season games in the League, the defenseman has scored both his two USHL career goals over his last eight games.

Romeo allowed just one goal and posted a .974 save percentage during a 2-1 overtime win for the Phantoms on Saturday. Making his first game appearance in nearly a month, the 17-year-old goaltender made 38 saves, including all 14 he faced in the third period, against Indiana which is the USHL’s second highest scoring team averaging 3.66 goals per contest. Romeo is a native of Cary, North Carolina and has won four games while playing in a backup role for Youngstown this season. His win on Saturday was his first on home ice and first since December 3rd.

(Nathan can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)