Scoring leader surprises

By Tom Williams

Phantoms defenseman David Chaney leads the team with four points in the postseason.

BOARDMAN — Anyone surprised to see defenseman David Chaney’s name atop the Mahoning Valley Phantoms’ playoff scoring is not alone.

Chaney, who scored 16 points in 41 regular season games, agrees his perch is unusual.

“This is something new to me — I’m usually at the lower end of the [scoring list],” said Chaney whose four points in two games leads the Phantoms in the North American Hockey League postseason. “I had a couple of lucky bounces last weekend and our power play was a big factor in me getting points.”

Defenseman Cullen Lundholm, who mans the other point when the Phantoms have a man-advantage, disagrees.

“Dave had a really good game on the power play,” said Lundholm, referring to last Friday’s 5-4 win in Game 1 at the Chevrolet Centre. “He got pucks through [and] made some good passes [and] heads-up plays. He’s a good offensive player so it’s to be expected.”

Chaney’s four-point night (one goal, three assists) helped the Phantoms grab a 1-0 series lead against the Traverse City North Stars.

The North Stars tied the series on Sunday with a 4-3 overtime victory. Games 3 and 4 of the best-of-5 series will be played on Thursday and Friday at Traverse City, Mich.

If necessary, Game 5 will be Sunday at 7 p.m. at the Chevrolet Centre.

Lundholm said the Phantoms’ rally from a 3-0 deficit in Game 2 seemed to have them poised to seize control of the series.

“It was huge to come back and I felt like we had the momentum going into the overtime,” Lundholm said after Johnny Meo, Cole Schneider and Alex Lippincott scored to tie the game. “We had three in a row.”

But 18 seconds into overtime, the North Stars tied the series when Nathan Urbaniak scored his second goal of the game.

“I feel like they got a lucky bounce,” Lundholm said of the North Stars’ quick burst.

Chaney said the North Stars, who finished two points behind the second-place Phantoms during the regular season, deserve respect.

“They are a hard-working team,” said the native of Utica, Mich. “They are skilled but they work very hard.

“It’s going to come down to the wire,” said Chaney of the series. “We’re both hard-working teams. Traverse City has a good program [so] it’s going to take a lot of effort on our part. We have to do the little things and battle real hard to get the win.”

Next season, Lundholm will play for Robert Morris University. Chaney thinks his collegiate career will wait.

“I am eligible to go to college, but I’ve only talked to a couple of [coaches] thus far,” the graduate of Utica High said. “So my plan is to play another year of junior hockey.”

Chaney also has played for the Tri-City Storm of the United States Hockey League.

Growing up about 45 minutes from Ann Arbor, Mich., Chaney said relocating to Ohio has been interesting.

“At first, it was a little tough getting situated here but I adjusted well with my housing family and they are huge Ohio State fans,” Chaney said. “So we joke around about Michigan and Ohio State. Most of my life, I’ve been a Michigan fan.”

Growing up, Chaney played football, basketball and soccer.

His first taste of hockey came on roller skates. He hit the ice at age 9.

“I started roller skating and thought ‘this is easy so I want to try ice hockey.’ Obviously, I enjoyed it and I’m having fun,” Chaney said.

“It’s an awesome accomplishment for me,” said Chaney of junior hockey. “Growing up, I never expected to be here in this position. I feel very fortunate.”

williams@vindy.com