Phantoms play well in 4-0 victory

Mahoning Valley won for the eighth time in 11 games.
By GREG GULAS
Vindicator Correspondent
BOARDMAN -- Drew Satterley scored two goals and registered a four-point night, Anthony Ciraulo added a goal and two assists and goalie Bryce Merriam pitched his second shutout of the season, as the Mahoning Valley Phantoms defeated the Cleveland Barons, 4-0, in a North American Hockey League game Monday night at The Ice Zone.
"We really wanted this game tonight. We were ready to play right from the start and weren't about to let them take three straight from us in this series," Satterley said.
"Everyone busted their behinds tonight and it paid off. Credit my linemates, [Marc] Menzione and [Anthony] Ciraulo as they got me the puck when I was in great position. I, in turn, was able to return the favor to them."
The Phantoms picked up their 20th win of the season (20-11-3, 43 points) and in the process, ended a two-game tailspin while winning for the eighth time in the last 11 outings.
Key win
They also improved to 12-1-2 at The Ice Zone but more importantly, picked up two points on the North Division leaders.
"These are two very good hockey teams. Small mistakes cost us the first two games of this series, but we brought our [A] game tonight and it really paid off," Mahoning Valley coach Bob Mainhardt said.
"Drew has gone through a bit of a dry spell, but realizes that when he moves his feet, like tonight, good things will happen.
"As for [Bryce] Merriam, whenever he is called upon he answers the bell for us," added Mainhardt. "He seems to get better each time out and was just outstanding for us tonight in goal."
After a scoreless first period in which each team registered 13 attempts on goal, Ciraulo, with assists from both Craig Dulman and Satterley, got the Phantoms on the board first at the 7:44 mark of the second period with his team-leading 18th goal of the year.
That ended a 118 minute, 56 second scoring drought form the Phantoms which dated to Friday night's second period.
Satterley's first goal of the night at 18:45 of the frame then increased the Phantom lead to 2-0.
Third goal
Menzione's goal at 4:07 of the final period made it 3-0 in favor of Mahoning Valley and Satterley notched his second goal at 8:16.
The loss ended the Barons' seven-game winning streak as they fell to 23-13-4. Their 50 points still remains tops in the North Division.
"Merriam was excellent in goal for Mahoning Valley, but we made it easy for him tonight," Baron coach John Fritsche said.
"We were too relaxed and quite frankly, not hungry enough. We played a dozen great games during our recent stretch in which we won 15 of 16 contests.
"It just didn't work out for us tonight. We're a little tired so we must recuperate and get our legs back with the Showcase coming up later this week right back here at The Ice Zone."
The Phantoms outshot the Barons, 42-34 as Merriam improved to 6-4 while in goal.
The Phantoms return to action Thursday night in the NAHL Showcase when they play host to the Alpena Ice Diggers at 7:30 p.m.