Phantoms battle past Team USA 6-1

Mahoning Valley used a big second period to split the series.

By GREG GULAS

VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT

BOARDMAN — After dropping a hard-fought 7-4 decision to the USA National Team Friday night, Mahoning Valley Phantoms’ head coach Bob Mainhardt made it clear to his team that keeping up the intensity, while staying out of the penalty box would be the keys to victory in their series finale between the two teams Saturday night.

His squad listened to the former, used the latter to their advantage and for the second night in a row owned the second period as they stormed to a 6-1 victory over their North Division rivals in North American Hockey League action at the Ice Zone.

“We had the effort last night, but tonight we were able to add the discipline and execution to that effort. Our depth is our strength and that is how I prefer to build a team — by using all 20 players that are available,” Bob Mainhardt, Phantom head coach said.

“It took us a while to find the right chemistry, but our lines are clicking right now and that is a good feeling as we look to the second half of the season,” he added.

Kyle Verbeek started the scoring brigade for the Phantoms when he notched his second goal of the season at 4:14 of the opening period for the early goal advantage.

When Kenny Ryan’s slap shot registered at 13:54, a power play opportunity for Team USA, the game was knotted at 1-all heading to the second period of play.

It was the only shot of the night that Phantom goalie Garrett Bartus would unsuccessfully stop.

“Garrett [Bartus] was excellent once again when in goal. He stopped some potential game-changing opportunities so it’s easy to see why he is getting a good look from not only college scouts, but NHL scouts as well,” Mainhardt noted.

Four unanswered goals by Mahoning Valley (20-9-3, 41 points) in the second period, three coming in a span of 1:16 proved to be the difference for the Phantoms.

Trent Bonnett’s goal at 9:03 of the period got the scoring started, followed by Derek Carr’s second tally of the season at 9:46 and Chad Boeckman’s netter at 10:19, all contributing to a 4-1 Mahoning Valley margin.

When Brent Dexter notched his 14th goal of the season at 15:03, a shorthanded score, the Phantoms increased their lead to 5-1 heading to the final period of play.

Johnny Meo’s unassisted goal with 1:09 remaining then rounded out the scoring on the night.

The Phantoms outshot the Nationals (15-14-2, 32 points), 35-32 as Bartus improved to 12-3-2 when in goal for Mahoning Valley.

Team USA goalie Brandon Maxwell absorbed the loss and fell to 5-6 overall.