Sweep is sweet for Phantom phenoms

Mahoning Valley beat Team USA, 6-2, to advance to the Robertson Cup in Alaska.
By GREG GULAS
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
BOARDMAN -- The Mahoning Valley Phantoms scored five unanswered goals, including four in the final period, to break a 2-all deadlock as they defeated the U.S. National Team, 6-2, to capture the North American Hockey League's north division championship Saturday night at the Ice Zone.
Miles Winter and Chad Boeckman each scored a goal and added two assists, while Eric Ringel and Mike Fillinger added a goal and an assist apiece as the Phantoms swept their division counterpart in the best-of-five series, 3-0.
Distinction
Mahoning Valley remains the only team in the playoffs with an unblemished mark as they are 6-0, having swept Alpena and Team USA in the postseason.
The Phantoms now advance to the league's Robertson Cup championship series in Fairbanks, Alaska, May 3-6.
The first game will be against the Fairbanks Ice Dogs on May 3 at 7:30 p.m. (11:30 p.m. EDT).
"This is a great feeling," said Winter. "I really don't have the words to describe how I feel right now. We're not done yet, however. We still have some unfinished business in Alaska."
Phantoms captain Chris Fairbanks echoed Winter's sentiment.
"This is just a small step for us. It's great to win the division, but our goal from day one has been the national title. We came out and played with a lot of heart. All 26 guys came together and that's what we'll have to play like at the Robertson Cup."
Dustin Cloutier, the team's leading scorer in the regular season, gave Mahoning Valley the lead for good just 37 seconds into the final period.
Fillinger's team-leading fifth goal of the postseason just 1:58 later gave the Phantoms a 4-2 advantage and the rout was on.
A power play goal by Ringel at 6:47 increased the Phantoms lead to 5-2, while Boeckman's goal at 13:05 rounded out the scoring on the night.
Complete effort
"This is a big win for our organization," said Boeckman. "But we still have something bigger to play for. We played a complete 60 minutes tonight, but must continue to do so as we head to Alaska and the Robertson Cup."
The Phantoms won their seventh straight at the Ice Zone and finished the season with a 30-3 record in 33 home outings.
Mahoning Valley held at 47-30 shots-on-goal advantage as goalie Ryan Zapolski rejected 28 U.S. National shots, notching his sixth straight win in the postseason.
"We'll sit back and reminisce about this in the offseason," said Phantoms head coach Bob Mainhardt. "However, we still have plenty of work remaining. "
First period
The Phantoms struck first at 6:59 of the opening period on Winter's power play goal for the early 1-0 Mahoning Valley advantage.
It was Winter's third goal of the playoffs.
The U.S. Nationals tied the game at 15:12, also on a power play opportunity by Sam Lofquist - his first goal of the playoffs.
The Nationals then took the lead at 17:28 of the period on Justin Florek's third goal of the posteason for the 2-1 edge after the first 20 minutes of play. Despite the fact, the Phantoms held an 18-8 advantage in shots-on-goal.
The Phantoms scored the lone goal of the second period, coming when Drew Satterley rippled the net at 6:32 of the period. It was his second goal of the playoffs as Mahoning Valley outshot Team USA, 15-12 in the period and held a commanding 33-20 shots-on-goal advantage after the first 40 minutes of play.
Team USA finished the season with three consecutive losses.