PREVIEW | Phantoms

Schedule: The Phantoms visit the Marquette Rangers for games tonight and Saturday. Face-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. both days.
Internet: mvpphantoms.com
Scouting the Phantoms: Mahoning Valley is 29-16-4 and in second place in the NAHL North Division. The Phantoms have won two straight and are 5-5 in their last 10 games. Derek Graham leads Mahoning Valley with 28 goals, 35 assists and 63 points. He is tied for fourth in the NAHL in goals, seventh in points and tied for 12th in assists. Last weekend Graham had five points in a pair of wins over Alpena. Chad Boeckman has 34 assists and 49 points, and Miles Winter has 20 goals. In goal, Garrett Bartus is 19-8-3 with a 2.81 goals against average, while Jordan Tibbett is 8-8-1, 3.40.
Scouting the Rangers: Marquette is 24-23-3 and in fourth place in the NAHL North, but they’ve lost four of their last five games and 13 of 17. Aaron Pietila leads the Rangers with 48 points (17-31). Nic Weight has 21 goals and Josh Bussell has 18. In goal, the Rangers are led by Matt Brooker (15-9-1, 3.48 GAA) and Beau Christian (9-14-2, 3.77).
Next: The Phantoms return home to the Ice Zone for their final seven games of the regular season. Mahoning Valley will play host to Traverse City for three games March 14-16, Alpena March 21-22 and the U.S. National team March 28-29.

Vindicator staff report