Phantoms return to Detroit for another Machine faceoff

The teams’ first two regular-season meetings featured a high number of power-play opportunities.

BOARDMAN — The Mahoning Valley Phantoms return to Detroit this weekend for their second series of the season with the Motor City Machine.

In their previous meeting in Wyandotte, Mich., the Phantoms swept a two-game set from the Machine, winning 2-1 and 5-3 at the newly renovated B.F. Yack Arena in early October.

Phantoms coach Bob Mainhardt says that he expects the level of play to make a big jump from the first series at Motor City.

“We’re definitely much more comfortable in our systems,” Mainhardt said, “and guys have gained confidence in their individual roles. Our younger players have also adjusted to the speed of Junior A hockey, so I think all-around there will be better games this weekend from both sides.”

The teams’ first two regular-season meetings featured a high number of power-play opportunities as the teams combined for 129 penalty minutes.

The Phantoms finished 2-for-20 on the power play while killing off all 15 power plays the Machine earned.

Mainhardt says that it’s going to be key for the Phantoms to maintain their composure and stay out of the box.

“Discipline is going to be very, very important this weekend,” Mainhardt said. “Just like with normal systems, everybody’s getting more comfortable on special teams.

SDLqIt’s going to be big for us to remain disciplined and minimize their opportunities on the power play while capitalizing on ours.”

Motor City enters the weekend on a 12-game losing streak, dating to Sept. 26. In response to the skid, the Machine have made big changes to their roster in the past two weeks.

Last week, the Machine signed former Ontario Hockey League enforcer Anthony Iaquinto and former St. Louis Bandits first-round draft pick Billy Balant.

They followed also traded captain Andy Inderieden and assistant captain Reed Rushing to Marquette for the Rangers’ second-leading scorer, Josh Bussell.

Bussell joins the Machine and immediately inherits the team’s scoring lead with 13 points, having amassed five goals and eight assists prior to the trade.

The Phantoms are led in scoring by forward Brandon Saad and defenseman Cullen Lundholm, each with 10 points. Saad has registered six goals and four assists while Lundholm has added one goal and nine assists.

Puck drop tonight and Saturday will be at 7:10 from the Benjamin F. Yack Arena.

Monday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., the Phantoms will hold a “Meet the Team” event at the Chevrolet Centre in Youngstown. The Phantoms will play games there on Nov. 14-15.