Phantoms head to Alpena for Game 3

By Greg Gulas

Mahoning Valley won the first two games at the Ice Zone.

BOARDMAN – Up 2-0 and heading to Alpena for Game 3 of their playoff series with the Ice Diggers, the Mahoning Valley Phantoms will look to put away their first-round opponent beginning Thursday night when they invade Northern Lights Arena — a place where they have enjoyed modest success this season.

“We’re taking nothing for granted, heading to Alpena definitely feeling good about our play thus far in the series. It has been a real shot in the arm to win the first two games, but that means absolutely nothing if you cannot deliver the knock-out punch,” Phantoms coach Bob Mainhardt said.

The Phantoms defeated the Ice Diggers at the Ice Zone twice this past weekend, winning 3-2 in overtime on Friday and following that with a convincing 5-2 decision on Saturday.

Mahoning Valley took four of six contests from the Ice Diggers on their home ice during the regular season, a statistic that leaves everyone cautiously optimistic that they can end the series without having to return home for a Game 5 on Sunday.

“If we are to be successful then everyone has to stick to the game plan. We learned some lessons in the first game and won, following that up with a full 60-minute effort at both ends of the ice the following night,” Mainhardt added.

The play of goalie Garrett Bartus both nights was spectacular according to Mainhardt, noting that Robert Harrison and Johnny Meo continue to find ways to unnerve their opponents.

A goal and an assist by Meo in Saturday’s win and two goals (including the game winner in overtime on Friday) and an assist by Harrison in the two games paced the Phantoms offensively.

Bartus, who rejected 95 of 99 Alpena shots for the weekend, was arguably the unsung hero for Mahoning Valley.

“[Johnny] Meo is a crowd favorite for a reason. He shows emotion on the ice and that is a big reason as to why the crowd connects with him. [Robert] Harrison is coming into his own physically at this juncture of the season while Garrett [Bartus] was absolutely outstanding both nights,” Mainhardt said.

Harrison, who didn’t see his game-winning goal because he was knocked to the ice, likes how the Phantoms have performed down the stretch.

“We’re confident right now, but not big-headed. With that confidence it allows you to do some things that you might not ordinarily try during the course of a game. As for Garrett [Bartus], he’s our last line of defense and his play all weekend kept us in the game,” Harrison said.

Of the Phantoms’ 36 wins this season, Bartus registered 23 (he was 23-9-3 overall in the regular season) while posting the first two wins in the playoffs as well.

He’s happy to be up two games in the series but quickly adds that the Phantoms do have some room for improvement.

“We didn’t play our best hockey in the first game but all weekend long our defense did an excellent job of clearing everything in front of the net. We’ve played really well the past month and must continue to do so, especially on the road if we expect to advance to the next round of the playoffs,” Bartus said.

“We’re clicking on all cylinders right now and if we just play our game, then we’ll be a tough out no matter what team we are playing.”

Game time Thursday night and Game 4, if necessary on Friday is 7 p.m. Game 5 would take place at the Ice Zone on Sunday at 6 p.m.