Phantoms have set big goals this season

Mahoning Valley has high expectations to return to the Robertson Cup finals.

BOARDMAN — The Mahoning Valley Phantoms are back in Youngstown, and they’re getting ready for the 2008-09 season with big goals in mind.

“I expect nothing less than to get back in the national championship this season,” says second-year forward Kyle Verbeek.

Last season, the Phantoms took second place in the North American Hockey League’s Robertson Cup finals to then divisional rival St. Louis Bandits, 5-2. It was the Phantoms’ second consecutive trip to the league national finals and their second runner-up finish. The team is using last year’s second-place results as motivation this year.

“For the guys that tasted it, it just makes you want the championship cup that much more. I think the younger guys are going to feed off that,” said Robert Harrison, who is entering his third season as a Phantoms defenseman.

Third-year forward Johnny Meo added, “We’re definitely using our second-place finish as motivation. We make it pretty clear [to the new players] that we want to be the top dogs this year.”

While the future is on the minds of all the Phantoms, the players are feeling good about the present — namely the first couple weeks of practice for the new season. The team reported to the Ice Zone in late August and spent a weekend at Camp Stambaugh in Canfield for a series of team building exercises.

“It feels great to get right back into the swing of things and meet all the new guys,” said second-year forward Stefan Salituro.

Goalie Garrett Bartus, entering his third season as a Phantom, liked what he saw.

“It looks like a lot of good talent is coming in with this new group of players. I’m really excited to see what can happen,” said Bartus.

For some players, the Youngstown homecoming is becoming old hat.

“For guys like me, Bartus and Meo, this is our third year here in the Mahoning Valley. It’s my home. It’s nice to be out there,” said Harrison, of Lakeville, Mich.

The Phantoms will play a preseason game at the home ice of the Motor City Machine in Brownstown, Mich., today, before opening the season against the Owatonna (Minn.) Express at the NAHL Showcase Sept. 17 in Blaine, Minn.