Phantoms start season today at NAHL Showcase in Minnesota

BOARDMAN — The Mahoning Valley Phantoms went 3-0 in exhibition play last weekend in New Jersey, but all the numbers can be thrown out as they begin the North American Hockey League regular season today in Blaine, Minn.

“These teams are going to be more physical, and will have a lot more depth than what we saw last weekend,” says Phantoms coach Bob Mainhardt. “These games are for points, too. I think the implication of playing for something will make these games much more competitive.”

Not only will the teams at the NAHL Showcase be more formidable, but the Phantoms will also have to endure the challenge of playing four games in four days.

The Phantoms open up against Southern Minnesota today at 4:15 p.m.

“Obviously fatigue is the biggest challenge,” said Mainhardt. “With fatigue comes the increased opportunity for injuries. We want to make sure our guys are in the best shape, which is what we've been doing here for the past four weeks.”

Team to beat

After going 47-14-1 last season and reaching the Robertson Cup championship game, teams will be gunning for the Phantoms. But, given the parity in the league Mainhardt says the Phantoms enter this weekend with the same mindset as everyone else.

“We've got a whole league full of teams that are going into this weekend thinking they have a championship team,” said Mainhardt. “Some guys will still feel like they have that after this weekend, and some will feel like they don't. I guess we'll figure that out.”

Besides being a grand stage to open up the NAHL regular season, the Showcase is also a great chance for players to be seen by recruiters.

“It's very appetizing to the scouts,” Mainhardt said. ”You'll see every single Division I college there, along with some professional teams, and Central Scouting. It's a great opportunity for guys to impress and garner that initial attention that will allow some of these scouts to follow-up on them though the year.”

Four games on tap

The Phantoms will face the Southern Minnesota Express, Texas Tornado, North Iowa Outlaws, and the Topeka Roadrunners this week at the Showcase — four teams they won't face again for the rest of the regular season. Despite the games not being against traditional rivals, these games will be an important gauge for how far the team can go.

“These games are important from the standpoint of our evaluation as a staff,” said Mainhardt. “We'll know a little better and be able to identify our strengths and weaknesses, and correct them. A very good weekend or a very bad weekend doesn't make or break a season, as long as you make the right improvements.”

Phantoms assistant coach Curtis Carr says the success in New Jersey was a good warm-up for the team, and got them ready for the rigors of the NAHL regular season.

“Going out east helped relax some of our rookies a bit,” says Carr. “It gave them an opportunity to play at a little bit higher of a level, be successful, and get those jitters out of the way. Now the guys have been here for about a month, so they are excited to get going with the season.”

XPhantoms game are broadcast on www.mvpphantoms.com.