Phantoms visit U.S. team for 2

They opened their season with a 3-1 record last week at the NAHL Showcase.

BOARDMAN — On the strength of two shoot-out victories, the Mahoning Valley Phantoms opened their 2007-08 campaign with a 3-1 record last week at the NAHL Showcase in Blaine, Minn.

The Phantoms began their showcase with a 4-3 shoot-out win over the Southern Minnesota Express. Led by forwards Miles Winter, Derek Graham, and defenseman Eric Ringel, each with a goal and an assist, the Phantoms power play made the difference.

“We’ve got a lot of returners that know the systems,” said Phantoms coach Bob Mainhardt. “We’ve got good puck movement; we’re getting the puck to the net, and getting some good second and third opportunities, which are all important to a good power play.”

Thursday, the Phantoms moved their record to 2-0, winning a 5-4 decision over the Texas Tornado. Rookie forward Scott Moser continued his hot start with two goals.

“Scotty’s work ethic is outstanding,” said Mainhardt. “It’s obviously starting to pay off, and he’s exceeding our expectations.”

Several standouts

Moser scored a team-high five goals at the Showcase. Graham led the team with seven points, scoring four goals and adding three assists. Three other Phantoms had five-point weeks. Winter had two goals and three assists, while Ringel and Chad Boeckman each had a goal and four assists. The team’s top forward line of Winter, Boeckman and Brent Dexter accounted for 12 points, most of which came on the power play.

“It’s nice to see the veterans come through with scoring they way that they did,” said Phantoms assistant coach Curtis Carr. “When we have 12 returning players, we are obviously going to rely on them quite a bit at the beginning of the season until the rookies can jell.”

The Phantoms only setback of the Showcase came Friday against the North Iowa Outlaws. Goalie Jordan Tibbett stopped 41 of 45 shots.

Rookie goalie delivers

Rookie goaltender Mark Lee stopped 29-of-31 Saturday in a 3-2 shoot-out win over the Topeka Roadrunners.

“There are always going to be peaks and valleys in any season,” said Mainhardt. “We try to teach our guys about how to deal with adversity. We challenged them to elevate their work ethic and get back to doing the little things, and we were able to do that Saturday.

“We still have a lot of work to do,” said Mainhardt. “But I think we have enough talent to be one of the top teams in the league again this year. So, if we can continue to challenge our players and keep getting the best out of them every day, we should be on our way to another run at a championship season.”

The Phantoms head into North Division play in third place. They play the U.S. National team Friday and Saturday in Ann Arbor, Mich. Friday’s game begins at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday’s starts at 7. The games will be broadcast on www.mvpphantoms.com.