Maltese's two goals, two assists power Phantoms to 6-3 victory

PARMA -- Mike Maltese scored two goals and added two assists Sunday as the Mahoning Valley Phantoms defeated the Cleveland Jr. Barons 6-3 to complete a weekend sweep in North American Hockey League (NAHL) action.
Before the first goal, Owen Meyer muscled the puck from a Barons defenseman behind the Cleveland goal then threaded a pass in the low slot to Mike Maltese.
His wristshot was partially gloved by goaltender Kenny Reiter and it trickled and sat on top of his left leg pad. Matt Atsoff teed off Reiter's pad into an open net for a 1-0 lead.
"I was very impressed with the way we took charge early in the game and the fact that we didn't let up for the most part," Phantoms coach Bob Mainhardt said. "We gave them a chance to get back into the game. But the players regained their focus and finished up well. It was a good weekend."
The Phantoms on their first two shots of the second period. Meyer's wristshot jumped off Reiter's stick and between his legs for a 2-0 lead.
Twenty seconds later, Wes Ewer's shot off the high slot was redirected by Marc Menzione, bouncing off the ice and over Reiter's left leg.
The Phantoms evened their record to 2-2 and jumped into fourth place in the North Division with four points and numerous games in hand against the rest of the division.
Cleveland fell to 5-4-3.
The Phantoms next face the U.S. National Under-17 Team in Ann Arbor on Friday at 7 p.m. before traveling back to Parma to face the Barons on Oct. 15-16.