Phantoms finish in second place; will face North Stars in playoffs

By Tom Williams

YOUNGSTOWN — One of the closest finishes of a three-team race for the North American Hockey League has the Mahoning Valley Phantoms seeded second for this week’s playoffs.

A 4-0 week capped by Sunday’s 5-3 victory over the Alpena IceDiggers propelled the U.S. National Team (38-16-5, 79 points) to first place in the North Division.

The Phantoms, who have been in first place for most of the season, dropped to second place after going 2-5 during the final three weeks of the season.

Second place gives the Phantoms (36-17-5, 77) home-ice advantage for their best-of-five postseason series against third-place Traverse City (34-17-7, 75).

Game 1 will be played Friday at 7:30 p.m. and Game 2 will begin Sunday at 3 p.m. Both games will be played at the Chevrolet Centre.

Read the story in Monday’s Vindicator and on Vindy.com.