Phantoms win opener against Ice Diggers, 3-0

The two teams will meet again tonight in the second day of action at 7:30 p.m.
By Greg Gulas
Vindicator Correspondent
BOARDMAN -- Marc Menzione had a goal and assist, Milan Drevenak and Doug Leaverton each added a score and Ryan Zapolski pitched his second shutout in goal as the Mahoning Valley Phantoms defeated the Alpena Ice Diggers, 3-0, in opening day action of the North American Hockey League Showcase Thursday night at The Ice Zone.
In other opening round games, the North Division-leading Cleveland Barons fell to the South Division's third-place Springfield Jr. Blues, 3-1, while the USA National Team handled the Traverse City North Stars by an 8-3 count.
Closing in on leaders
With their win, the USA squad improved to 23-14-4, tying the Barons for first-place in the division. The Phantoms, now 21-11-3 (45 points), pulled to within five points of both the Barons and Nationals for the top spot in the hotly-contested North Division.
"This was an excellent way to start the Showcase. We take a lot of pride in our defense and they did a great job for us tonight," Phantom head coach Bob Mainhardt said.
"We'll build off this win, understanding that we need to improve because the other teams in the Showcase will try to do the same.
"[Ryan] Zapolski was great in goal and that puts us in a pickle -- a nice pickle if you are a coach. Both Zapolski and [Bryce] Merriam are hot right now in goal and you need that as you head into the home stretch of the season. Both goalies are playing their best for us right now."
Back-to-back shutouts
With the shutout, the Phantoms have now blanked back-to-back opponents, running their scoreless streak to 131.15 minutes; 71.15 while Zapolski is in goal.
"Our defense was key tonight to our victory. They played great, keeping the puck in the corners and away from the front of the net," Zapolski stated.
"Right now, I am feeding off of [Bryce] Merriam's energy. In a Showcase like this, there are plenty of scouts and they come to see what you can do. Overall, I think that we had a good showing."
Menzione's team-tying 18th goal of the year at 13:43 of the opening period got the Phantoms on the board first and when John Kivisto and Owen Meyer assisted Milan Drevenak on his ninth goal of the season, the Phantoms raced out to a 2-0 lead just 20 minutes into the game.
Two third period goals
After a scoreless second period, Anthony Ciraulo and Menzione assisted Doug Leaverton on his second goal of the year at 11:19 of the final period to round out the scoring, securing the shutout in the process.
The Phantoms held a 47-37 shots on goal advantage, improving to 13-1-2 at home this season.
They have now defeated the Ice Diggers eight of nine times this year, outscoring their North Division foes, 34-18.
The Phantoms will meet the Ice Diggers again at 7:30 p.m. tonight on the second night of the Showcase.