Phantoms to face Barons with series tied at 1 each

The two teams will meet for the 17th time since October in tonight's Game 3.
BOARDMAN -- Though they didn't win Game 2 of their best-of-five playoff series, the Mahoning Valley Phantoms hockey team feels it has the key to eliminating the Cleveland Barons from the postseason picture.
The North American Hockey League series is tied 1-1, with Game 3 set for tonight at 7:30 at Parma's Lakefront Lines Arena. The game can be heard through the Web site www.mvpphantoms.com.
Here's what the Phantoms learned after losing last Saturday to the Barons, 5-4, at the Ice Zone.
First, when you lead 3-0 after one period, as the Phantoms did, there are plenty of highlights to reinforce from those 20 minutes.
Second, when you give up a three-goal lead in the next period, as the Phantoms did, there are plenty of corrections that can be made.
The series is reduced to a best-of-three battle. Game 3 will be the 17th meeting between these teams since October.
Game Four will return to the Ice Zone on Saturday for a 7 p.m. faceoff.
Of the Phantoms' 20 losses in the regular season, eight have come at the hands of the Barons, the most of any team.
As hosts for the national tournament, the Phantoms are assured of a berth in the Robertson Cup tournament that will be played at the Ice Zone in May.
Here's motivation
The Phantoms have motivation to eliminate the Barons this weekend. Should the Barons win this series and the division final, they would advance to the championship event where they would likely meet the Phantoms again in May.
In addition, the Phantoms, by losing this series, would go an entire month before they play again -- in a tournament against four seasoned, highly skilled teams.
The Barons may retain the services of forward Josh Leonard this weekend, who missed the first two games due to an undisclosed injury.
Should he return, it could reunite Leonard with Cleveland's most productive forward line during the regular season, with Carter Camper and Tomas Petruska.
Leonard led the Barons with nine goals and 20 points in 14 games against the Phantoms.
At least one of those top three scorers has recorded a point in 32 of the 49 goals that Cleveland has converted against the Phantoms.
Conversely, at least one member of the Phantoms' top line (Anthony Ciraulo, Marc Menzione and Drew Satterley) has made the score sheet on 18 of the Phantoms' 37 goals scored against Cleveland.