Phantoms drop opening game

Mahoning Valley will play another three games in the 20-team NAHL showcase.
BLAINE, Minn. -- An estimated 200 scouts from the NHL and NCAA Division I hockey converged on suburban Minneapolis for this week's North American Hockey League showcase.
Each of the league's 20 teams, including the Mahoning Valley Phantoms, were scheduled to play four games in four days. With over 400 players to be evaluated, the challenge of exposing individual talent while maintaining a team approach this week does not concern Phantoms coach Bob Mainhardt.
"It may be something that other coaches may need to address with their players upon coming to Minnesota, but I don't have to," he said. "These guys know where they stand, so it's not an issue with these players. They realize the value in grasping the team concept and maintaining it over the course of the season."
Fall to Wichita
The Phantoms schedule began Wednesday with a 2-0 loss to the Wichita Falls Wildcats. Wildcats goalie James Billick stopped all 29 shots by the Phantoms for his second shutout of the season.
"[Billick] played well when he had to, which wasn't often," said Phantoms assistant Ian Fredericks. "You've got to give him credit. But we know we have a good group who can bounce back. And we will."
Ryan Zapolski allowed both goals for Mahoning Valley (4-4-0), which will face the Bozeman IceDogs at 2:30 p.m. today. The Phantoms will also meet the North Iowa Outlaws Friday and the Minnesota Express Saturday.
Defensemen Nick Ghidina and Paul Velo each scored their first goals of the season for Wichita Falls.
Over 70 NAHL alumni have played in the NHL since 1997. Currently, there are 25 players on NHL rosters that played in the NAHL. The latest is Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ryan Miller, who played for the Soo Kewadin Indians from 1997-1999 and went on to Michigan State, where he became the NCAA career leader in shutouts (26) and won the Hobey Baker Award.
Phantoms center Brad O'Shell, who suffered a concussion and bruised arm in the second period of Sunday's 4-2 win over Cleveland, traveled with the team to Minnesota and may see action this week.
Center Anthony Ciraulo's 11 points place him tied for ninth in NAHL scoring, while right wing linemate Marc Menzione's 10 points put him in a tie for 13th.
Zapolski entered the Showcase tied for fourth among all goaltenders in save percentage (.932) and seventh in goals against average (2.26).