Phantoms finish with 5-2 victory

By Greg Gulas

Mahoning Valley scored four times in the second period to beat the U.S. National Team.

BOARDMAN — The Mahoning Valley Phantoms struggled through injuries during the middle portion of their season, never making any excuses when their regular season North Division crown was clinched by St. Louis.

After sweeping Team USA in the final series of the regular season, they finally feel like they are hitting on all cylinders and will now prepare for the Alpena Ice Diggers and the first-round of the playoffs beginning Friday night.

Stefan Salituro’s goal in the second period, one of four by the Phantoms in the frame, proved to be the game winner as Mahoning Valley topped the U.S. Nationals, 5-2 in a North American Hockey League game Saturday at the Ice Zone.

Twelve Phantoms registered at least one point while goalie Garrett Bartus notched his 23rd win of the season to pace Mahoning Valley.

“Our guys really worked hard all weekend and I really feel like we are peaking at the right time as we head into the playoffs,” Phantoms coach Bob Mainhardt said.

“I sound like a broken record at times but I cannot tell you how pleased I am with our heart and depth. When four lines equally contribute, lines that can be tops on lots of teams then you have to be excited heading to the playoffs.

“You can prepare the X’s and O’s all you want, but at the end of the day you have to give it all you have and lay it all on the line. That is what we have done the past three weekends,” he added.

Robert Harrison got the scoring started for Mahoning Valley when he connected on his fifth goal of the year at 4:24 of the opening period for the early Phantom lead.

Team USA’s Jerry D’Amigo then knotted score at 1-all when his fifth goal of the season slid under Phantom goalie Garrett Bartus’ glove at 11:57 heading to the second period.

That would be the closest Team USA would get the remainder of the game.

The second period has been good to the Phantoms all season long and it was no different on Saturday night as Mahoning Valley scored four goals and for the most part, iced the game away.

Three unanswered goals staked the Phantoms to a 4-1 lead and Team USA never recovered as Mahoning Valley took the season series, 7-4-1, winning four of six contests played in their own barn.

Stefan Salituro notched his 13th goal just 1:19 into the second period for a 2-1 Phantom lead and when Grant Blakey added his netter at 6:55, Mahoning Valley extended their lead to 3-1.

Eric Ringel, who will turn 18 Friday, celebrated early when his seventh tally game the Phantoms a 4-1 lead at 17:00 of the period.

Drew Shore’s short-handed goal just 54 seconds later, however, pulled Team USA to within 4-2. It was just the fifth shorthanded goal of the season for Team USA.

Ringel’s goal came when the Phantoms had a two-man advantage and was the first of two-power play scores on the night for Mahoning Valley.

“I could not ask for a better way to score. [Derek] Graham won the face off and [Alden] Hirschfeld tipped it up to me on the blue line. I passed it across to Chad [Boeckman] who then passed it back to me and I one-timed it through the goalie’s legs,” Ringel said.

“We’re coming together at the right time and with the playoffs now less than a week away, it’s nice to be heading into the first-round with a little momentum,” he added.

Scott Moser then rounded out the scoring with the second power play of the game with just a minute and 42 seconds remaining before the second intermission.

Mahoning Valley (36-18-4, 76 points) outshot the U.S. Nationals (28-26-4, 60 points), 32-25, holding serve against their division foe on three power play tries.