Phantoms record ninth win in row, edge Ice Diggers

Dustin Cloutier and Robert Harrison led Mahoning Valley to a 3-2 win.
By GREG GULAS
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
BOARDMAN -- Two goals by Dustin Cloutier and the first score of the season by Robert Harrison lifted the Mahoning Valley Phantoms over the Alpena Ice Diggers, 3-2, in North American Hockey League action Friday at the Ice Zone.
The win was the ninth in a row for the Phantoms and their 18th in as many tries at home.
The Phantoms improved to a league-best 37-10-1 (75 points) and they are the only team in the entire loop to remain undefeated at home.
"We didn't play the type of game that we had hoped to tonight, but give Alpena credit because they were ready to go from the moment they got off the bus," Phantoms head coach Bob Mainhardt said.
"Ryan Zapolski once again did an excellent job for in goal, but their goalie, Shawn Hunwick, was equally outstanding," Mainhardt said. "The last few times that we have faced him, he has been solid. He kicks his game up a notch when playing against us.
"One thing that we need to do is elevate our game a notch, getting back to doing the little things that win you games," Mainhardt said. "We need to play a better all-around game during this, the stretch run of the season."
Seals home ice advantage
The win guarantees Mahoning Valley home-ice advantage for the first-round of the playoffs while marking the ninth time in 11 outings this season that the Phantoms have been victorious against the Ice Diggers.
They have outscored Alpena, 45-25 in those 11 contests and 21-7 in their five games at the Ice Zone, never allowing more than two scores in any game while yielding one or less in three of those contests.
It looked as if the Ice Diggers' fortunes against Mahoning Valley were about to change when Drew Pierson's goal at 17:55 of the opening period staked Alpena to the early 1-0 advantage.
But, like they have done all season long, Mahoning Valley's potent offensive attack (they have a league-leading 216 goals this season; the only team in the league with 200+ goals on the year) answered quickly when Cloutier scored the first of his two goals just 1:10 later to forge a 1-all tie.
Harrison's first goal of the year at 12:31 of the second period made it 2-1 in favor of the Phantoms, giving them a lead that they would not relinquish the rest of the way.
Harrison was elated
Harrison, who could best be described as a cross between happy and shocked, was nonetheless elated that his goal turned out to be the game-winner.
"There's plenty of motivation when you are playing the team right behind you in the standings." Harrison said.
"We want to keep our distance from them in the division so that really is all the motivation that we need.
"The shot was a flutter shot and I was just happy to see it go into the net."
Cloutier's second goal of the game at 4:08 of the final period, his team leading 30th score on the campaign increased the Phantoms' lead to 3-1, but when Jim McCusker scored with 3:37 remaining, the Ice Diggers had pulled to within a goal at 3-2.
That was the closest they would get the rest of the way.
"We really haven't started out strong the last few outings so that is the one area that we have targeted for improvement," Cloutier said. "We cannot take a period off if we expect to be there in the end.
Goalies are outstanding
"You saw two great goalies at work. [Ryan] Zapolski was excellent once again in goal for us while '[Shawn] Hunwick is always tough on us. He really plays the puck well."
The Phantoms held a 47-26 shots on goal advantage with Zapolski recording his league-leading 35th win (he is 35-7-1 overall in 43 games this year). He has been the winning goalie in all 18 home games this season as the Phantoms have outscored opponents 91-29 at the Ice Zone.
The Ice Diggers lost for the fifth straight time and fell to 30-17-2 (62-points) overall.
They are 13 points behind the Phantoms in the North Division.
Both teams will meet again tonight at 7 at the Ice Zone.