Phantoms overcome 2-0 deficit for 2-0 edge

A win tonight would send Mahoning Valley to the NAHL Championship Series in Alaska.
By JOHN KOVACH
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
BOARDMAN -- The hockey race does not always go to the swiftest.
Just ask the U.S. National Team that was visiting the Mahoning Valley Phantoms in a North American Hockey League playoff game Friday night.
After a scoreless first period, the U.S. squad shot out to a 2-0 lead in the second period on goals from Kevin Mc & Ccedil;arey and Justin Florek in the second game of the two teams' best-of-five North Division playoff series.
But then the U.S. team, after allowing the Phantoms to cut the lead to 2-1 on Brent Dexter's goal still in the second period at 18:38 on Chad Boeckman's assist, made two big mistakes:
They committed penalties that made them shorthanded.
And the Phantoms capitalized on both man-advantage power-play situations in the third period with crucial goals, to rally for a 3-2 win before about 700 fans at the Ice Zone to take a 2-0 lead in the series.
Ringel, Winter click
First, Eric Ringel's power-play goal from about 6 feet out on a nice cross-ice pass from Dustin Cloutier pulled the Phantoms into a 1-1 tie with 5:17 elapsed.
And then Miles Winter scored on another power-play goal a short time later at 6:37 for what turned out to be the game-winning goal on an assist from Boeckman, to stretch the Phantoms' undefeated record against Team USA this season to 15 games.
The two teams will return to the Ice Zone tonight for Game 3 at 7:30, with a Phantoms' win giving them the North Division series title.
If USA wins tonight, the series will shift to the Ann Arbor (Mich.) Ice Cube for Game 4 on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.
"We were a man down in inopportune situations and they capitalized," said Team USA coach John Hynes. "They were opportunistic on the power play at that was the difference in the game."
Phantoms build steam
Coach Bob Mainhardt of the Phantoms said his team started slow but was patient and waited for the opportunities to open.
"We played 60 minutes. Games are not won and lost early. We were patient offensively and waited for our opportunities," said Mainhardt. "Our defensive side gave our offense scoring opportunities."
He lauded Winter, Ringel and goalie Ryan Zapolski.
"Zapolski gave us a chance to win. He gives us a chance to win every night," said Mainhardt.
Zapolski had 34 saves. Team USA goalie Brad Phillips had 31 saves.
And, "Miles Winter scored the game-winner and had an assist."
Also, "Eric Ringel has had two big goals in this series," the coach added. "The entire defensive seven stepped up their play tonight."
Mainhardt called Winter a "big strong player who is very physical and is hard to stop. He scored his second big goal of the year. He played with a lot of confidence tonight."
kovach@vindy.com