PREVIEW Mahoning Valley Phantoms

This weekend: The Phantoms play host to the U.S. National Under 17 team Friday and Saturday at the Ice Zone in Boardman.

Game times: 7:15 p.m. both nights.

Tickets: (330) 965-7500.

Records: The Phantoms are 6-1-1 and tied for second place in the North Division behind Traverse City, which has played four more games. The U.S. team is 6-5-1 and tied with the Phantoms with 13 points.

Phantoms leaders: Defenseman Cullen Lundholm leads the team with eight assists and nine points. Forward Jordy Trottier has a team best five goals, while forward Brandon Saad has four goals and eight points. Cole Schneider has two goals and six assists for eight points. Jordan Tibbett is 4-0-0 with a NAHL-best 1.48 goals against average, and Garrett Bartis is 2-1-1 with a 3.43 GAA.

On the mend: Forward Brad Smith underwent surgery last week after suffering a lacerated foot. Smith is training and rehabbing with the team while attending Ursuline High School. He is expected to miss 7-11 weeks. Forward Nick Kenney, who has missed all eight regular season games with a broken finger, is expected to return to the lineup soon.

U.S. team leaders: Drew Shore leads the team with eight points. He has four goals and four assists. Matthew Nieto has four goals and three assists, and Austin Czarnik has five goals and one assist. Two other players, Jeremy Morin and Jason Zucker, have four goals each. Goalie Will Yanakef is 2-2-0 with a 1.76 goals against average, which is third-best in the NAHL. Jack Campbell is also 2-2-0 with a 2.95 GAA, and Brandon Maxwell is 2-0-0 with a 4.00 GAA.

Internet: Both games will be Webcast on phantoms.com.

Next: The Phantoms go back on the road Oct. 31-Nov. 2 with three games in Traverse City, Mich.

Staff report