JUNIOR-A HOCKEY Phantoms head for tournament

BOARDMAN -- The Youngstown Phantoms Junior-A hockey club will participate in the 10-team North American Hockey League Showcase Tournament at the Compuware Sports Arena in Detroit this weekend.
Under the direction of coach Bob Mainhardt, the Phantoms were scheduled to open against the Dayton Gems today at 12:30 p.m.
The Phantoms also will play Central States Hockey League All-Star Team Saturday at 12:30 p.m. and the Toledo Ice Diggers Sunday at 11 a.m.
The three contests are exhibition games and therefore the results will not count in the NAHL's regular season standings.
"This tournament is really the first chance for all of our players to get put on the radar screen this year," Mainhardt said. "We will have every Division I college, probably most of the Div. III schools and a lot of pro scouts at this tournament.
"That means these games will be just as important as any league games because one of our main goals with the Phantoms is to develop players for the next level," Mainhardt said. "We will definitely be playing to win, and to get our players the exposure that they deserve."
The NAHL's regular season officially gets under way Sept. 12. The Phantoms will open their 56-game regular season schedule Sept. 19-20 with 7 p.m. games in Ann Arbor, Mich., vs. the USA 18-and-Under National Team (Sept. 19) and the USA 17-and-Under National Team (Sept. 20).
The Phantoms' first home games at the Ice Zone are set for Sept. 27 at 7 p.m. and Sept. 28 at 3 p.m. against the USA 17-and-Under National Team.
Tickets for all Phantoms home games are available by calling (330) 965-7500.