Phantoms set for three home games

They face an unfamiliar face in Springfield tonight in Boardman.
BOARDMAN -- The Mahoning Valley Phantoms host a trio of games this week at the Ice Zone, opening tonight at 7 against the Springfield Jr. Blues.
The Alpena Ice Diggers will be the opponents in the 7 p.m. games on Friday and Saturday.
The Phantoms, (44-12-1, 89 points) lead the St. Louis Bandits (42-13-3) by two points for the best record in the North American Hockey League. The Phantoms have a game in hand on St. Louis.
With a North Division regular season title secured on Mar. 4, Coach Bob Mainhardt likes what he has seen in the four games his team has played since.
"This is a tough time of the year," Mainhardt said. "But I'm happy with our mental approach since we clinched the division early."
Springfield (25-28-4) is tied with the Alexandria (Minn.) Blizzard for fifth place in the NAHL's Central Division with 54 points. They trail the North Iowa Outlaws and the Bismarck Bobcats by just two points for the final two playoff spots.
Mainhardt sees tough rival
Mainhardt knows the Blues will leave everything on the ice.
"Coach [Chris] Wyler has done a great job since stepping in as their leader," Mainhardt said. "We certainly have to have our game faces on."
Wyler is 3-0 since Springfield fired coach Nick Pollos on Mar. 6. The Jr. Blues defeated St. Louis 8-2 on Mar. 17 in their continued pursuit for a postseason berth.
This is the first and only time this season that the Phantoms host Springfield or any team outside of the North American Hockey League's North Division.
"It will be good to see a different looking sweater on the ice," Mainhardt said. "To see a fresh face will be a nice boost for us."
Mattila is a first for Phantoms
Springfield's Troy Mattila is the first National Hockey League draft pick to skate against the Phantoms.
Mattila was a seventh-round selection of the New York Islanders in the 2006 NHL Draft and returned to the Blues in January before considering his future options for next season. He has 10 goals in 11 games with Springfield.
The Phantoms have been shut out once in 57 games. That occurred on Oct. 7 at Springfield by a 4-0 count. The Santa Fe Roadrunners remain the only NAHL team to have scored in every game this season.
Right wing Mike Fillinger has a seven-game point scoring streak, recording eight goals and five assists during that period. He is tied for third in the league with teammate Dustin Cloutier with five shorthanded goals.
The Phantoms will announce playoff ticket information next week. They will either face the Marquette Rangers or the U.S. National Team in the North Division semifinals.