Phantoms aiming to stay sharp

Mahoning Valley has two games before the playoffs begin next weekend.

BOARDMAN — Sporting a 34-18-4 record and having clinched second place in the North American Hockey League’s North Division, the Mahoning Valley Phantoms get two last tests this weekend against the U.S. National Team as they gear up for next weekend’s start to the playoffs.

“I think it is important for us this weekend to be playing the way we expect to play in the playoffs,” says Phantoms coach Bob Mainhardt. “It is important to execute the game plan, fine-tune, and make sure you are hitting on all cylinders.

“You can’t be afraid of getting someone injured,” added Mainhardt. “We have already proven we have the depth this year — we have more than 20 men right now that can get the job done.”

Last weekend, the Phantoms split against Alpena, setting the stage for at least three more games against the Ice Diggers in a first round best-of-5 playoff series beginning next Friday at the Ice Zone.

Goaltending led the way for the Phantoms, as Garrett Bartus turned in two solid performances in stopping over 93 percent of the shots he faced and earning honorable mention for NAHL player of the week.

“Garrett gave us a chance to win both nights,” said Mainhardt. “It came down to goaltending in each game, and we expect it to be that way down the stretch here for the rest of the season and the playoffs.”

Veteran forward Miles Winter had three points to extend his point scoring streak to six games, while Derek Graham became the Phantoms’ all-time scoring leader with a goal and an assist. He is tied for seventh in the NAHL with 69 points.

Second-year forward Chad Boeckman has tallied an assist in five straight games to remain second on the team in points with 15 goals and 39 assists.

The U.S. National Team (28-24-4) secured the fourth and final playoff spot in the North, sweeping Marquette last weekend by scores of 3-0 and 4-1.

The U.S. enters the weekend with a 4-1-1 record over its last six games, and has been led lately by forward Kevin McCarey. The 18-year-old collected four goals and an assist last weekend. In two games against the Phantoms this season, McCarey has two assists.

Mahoning Valley is 5-4-1 this season against Team USA, including a 6-2 win in their last meeting Jan. 12.

Despite the fact that neither team has any playoff positioning left to play for, the Phantoms realize the importance of ending the season on a positive note and expect an intense series.

“We’re gearing up and still trying to figure out who our top 20 are,” Mainhardt says. “Right now we’ve got 23 guys that are playing very good hockey. So we have to become very selective and very picky, and make sure we have the right combination heading into the playoffs.”

Game time both nights is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. at the Ice Zone.

Former Phantoms goaltenders Tyler Sims and John Murray have signed professional contracts with the Reading (Pa.) Royals of the ECHL.

“We couldn’t be more proud to have guys from our inaugural season that have now moved on to the professional ranks,” said Mainhardt.

Sims was one of the most successful goaltenders in Phantoms history and led the team to within a tiebreaker of making the playoffs in their inaugural season. Starting a majority of the games that year, the Fort Wayne, Ind., native compiled a 20-14-5 record with a NAHL-high four shutouts and a 2.63 goals-against average.

Murray was just 16 years old when he played with the Phantoms before continuing his career with Sioux Falls Stampede of the United States Hockey League. He played two seasons in the Ontario Hockey League, including this season with the Kingston Frontenacs.