Crucial games looming as regular season closes

BOARDMAN -- Though they are playing host to the North American Hockey League's Robertson Cup, the Mahoning Valley Phantoms would prefer earning a spot in the championship tournament to qualifying for it solely as the host team.
Part of achieving that would include a regular season division title -- something that is within the Phantoms' reach.
The Phantoms conclude the regular season this week with three games against the U.S. National Under-17 Team. The first game of the series is tonight at the Ice Cube in Ann Arbor, Mich., at 7 p.m. The broadcast can be heard at mvvphantoms.com.
The teams return to The Ice Zone for games Friday and Saturday, both scheduled for 7 p.m.
The Phantoms are in third place in the North Division with 72 points (34-17-4). The U.S. team, which defeated Cleveland Monday night, 2-1, is 36-14-5 and has 77 points. The Barons' loss ended their regular season at 35-19-4 and 74 points.
If the Phantoms win tonight, they are guaranteed of finishing no worse than second place in the division because they hold the tie-breaker over Cleveland. That would ensure home-ice advantage, at least, through the division semifinals.
If the Phantoms win all three games this week in regulation, they would win the North Division.
Phantoms captain Anthony Ciraulo, who served a two-game suspension last weekend, will be back in the lineup.
Alumni news
Two former Phantoms were recognized during the college season.
Bentley freshman center Anthony Canzoneri was named to the all-rookie team in the Atlantic Hockey Association. Canzoneri led the Falcons in scoring with 31 points on eight goals and 23 assists, breaking the school freshmen scoring record and tying for fourth-highest all-time in school history, regardless of class.
In the AHA tournament, he led Bentley to double-overtime wins over Army and Mercyhurst. In the conference championship, the Falcons (15-17-5) fell to Holy Cross, 5-2, but Canzoneri assisted on both goals.
Providence sophomore goaltender Tyler Sims was named honorable mention by the Hockey East Association. Sims posted a record of 17-14-2 with a 2.32 goals against average that ranked 20th in the country. His .916 save percentage was 24th best. He had three shutouts, tying for 11th in the nation.
In the Hockey East quarterfinals, Providence was swept by New Hampshire in a best-of-3 series. In the second game, a 2-1 loss in double overtime, Sims made a career-high 59 saves.
Another former Phantom and teammate of Sims, freshman forward Kyle Laughlin, scored nine goals for Providence.