Phantoms end season with loss

Mahoning Valley ended regular-season play with a 5-1 loss to USA National.
By GREG GULAS
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
BOARDMAN -- Steve Sperry and James vanRiemsdyk each scored two goals as the USA National squad defeated the Mahoning Valley Phantoms 5-1 Saturday in North American Hockey League action at The Ice Zone.
Nationals goalie Josh Unice rejected all but one Mahoning Valley shot while in goal
It was the regular-season finale for both teams as they now look to the playoffs, slated to begin this week.
"I am really proud of this team," Phantoms head coach Bob Mainhardt said. "We closed out a very successful season and that was important for us.
"Our eyes are on the big prize now with the playoffs set to begin on Thursday," Mainhardt said. "We got some players much needed rest tonight, guys who have logged quite a few minutes over the course of the season.
"You can bet that we'll be ready for Cleveland this week," Mainhardt said.
Nationals jump out early
The Nationals got on the board first at 12:48 of the opening period when Sperry's wrist shot, found the net for the early goal advantage.
Two goals by vanRiemsdyk in the second period increased the lead to 3-0.
The former goal was an unassisted score at 7:57 while the latter at 15:33 came on an assist by Friday's hat trick hero, Joe Lavin.
A goal by Mahoning Valley's Jake Coyle with 51 seconds remaining in the period prevented the shutout, cutting the USA margin to 3-1 with 20 minutes remaining in the regular season.
Teddy Ruth's slap shot at 9:45 of the final stanza increased the Nationals' lead to 4-1.
When Sperry's second goal of the game registered at 15:23, also unassisted, USA built a 5-1 advantage.
The Nationals outshot the Phantoms 37-33 as Unice improved to 11-7-1 while in goal for the division leaders.
Ryan Zapolski and Bryce Merriam split time equally in net for the Phantoms, each player getting a tuneup for what they hope will be a long playoff run.
Phantoms finish third
The Phantoms finished the regular season with a 34-20-4 overall mark and in third-place in the North Division.
The Nationals ended the regular season atop the division with a 39-14-5 slate, winning their fourth straight outing and the 10th time in 12 contests against the Phantoms.
Mahoning Valley will enter the playoffs with a three-game losing streak; however, they have won five of their last nine regular-season contests.
The Phantoms will take on the Cleveland Barons in the semi-final round of the North Division playoffs.
The best-of-five series begins Thursday at the Barons' Lakefront Lines Arena in Parma at 7:30 p.m.
The Phantoms will then play host to the Barons in the second game of the series on Saturday night at The Ice Zone. Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m.