Barons earn split, top Phantoms 3-0

Mahoning Valley goalie Bryce Merriam rejected 39 Baron shots in the loss.
By GREG GULAS
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
BOARDMAN -- Josh Leonard scored two goals and Bobby Jarosz rejected all 41 Mahoning Valley shots in goal as the Cleveland Barons blanked the Phantoms, 3-0 in North American Hockey League action Saturday night at The Ice Zone.
The Barons (33-18-4, 70 points) salvaged a split in their two-game weekend set with the Phantoms.
The win pulled the Barons to within a point of the top spot and the U.S. National Team in the North Division as Alpena defeated the Nationals (33-12-5, 71 points), 2-1 in overtime, to sweep its two-game set with the division's top team.
It was Jarosz's sixth shutout of the season as Cleveland has now denied the Phantoms a goal in five of their 14 outings this year.
The Barons also claimed the season series with the Phantoms, 8-5-1.
"This was similar to last night's game in that both goaltenders were excellent in goal. [Bobby] Jarosz proved to be a tough opponent for us right from the start," Phantoms coach Bob Mainhardt said.
"We made some mistakes and then got away from our game plan and that cost us. This weekend was a preview of what could be our first-round playoff opponent, and both teams realize what it takes to win."
Taking the lead
The Barons got on the board first in the opening period when Josh Leonard's scored his first of two goals on the night at the 4:12 mark.
Tomas Petruska's short-handed score at 16:18 of the period made it 2-0 in favor of the Barons heading to the second period of play.
After a scoreless second period in which the Barons held a 17-16 shot advantage, Nick Kosinski's pass then found Leonard for his 25th goal of the year at 13:45 to seal the victory for the Barons.
Each team had 42 shots on goal and Jarosz improved to 18-9-0 on the year.
Phantom goalie Bryce Merriam rejected 39 Baron shots but suffered the defeat, falling to 12-7-0 in 19 outings this season.
The Phantoms return to action next Friday night at 7 p.m. when they play host to the Alpena Ice Diggers in the first of a two-game weekend set at The Ice Zone.