Phantoms control own destiny entering final games

April 4, 2015 at 12:10a.m.

Atop the USHL standings with four regular-season games remaining, the Youngstown Phantoms …

With a rare Friday off (only the second since New Year’s Day), the Youngstown Phantoms still were focused on hockey, just not on scoreboard watching.

The Phantoms celebrated their night off with a team banquet at the Maronite Center while most of the rest of the USHL skated.

“We always look, but we know that as long as we win our remaining games, [first place] is ours to take,” defenseman Tommy Parran said. “We’re blessed that we’re not worried about what other teams are doing.

“It’s all on us.”

With four games remaining in the regular season, the Phantoms (37-14-5, 79 points) control their destiny in a tight race for the Anderson Cup, the trophy presented to the USHL regular-season champion who also gets home-ice advantage throughout the playoffs.

The Phantoms are even in points with Sioux City (37-16-5, 79 points), but have two games-in-hand over the first place team in the Western Conference.

In the Eastern Conference, the Phantoms have a three-point lead and a game-in-hand on second-place Cedar Rapids (38-19-0, 76 points).

Co-captain Josh Nenadal said, for once, he can wait to check out the scoreboard.

“Maybe a couple of years ago [I couldn’t resist] but this is my last junior hockey banquet,” Nenadal said. “It’s been a long four years so I’m just enjoying the moment, enjoying time with the fellows [and honoring] the parents and billet families.”

Tonight, the Phantoms welcome fourth-place Muskegon (34-19-4, 72 points) to the Covelli Centre. A victory would give the Phantoms 38 wins, breaking the record set two seasons ago when the Phantoms finished third in the Eastern Conference.

Youngstown will be without forwards James Winkler and Matt Alvaro, who were suspended after last Saturday’s 2-1 victory over the Omaha Lancers in Nebraska. Alvaro was suspended one game for a game misconduct for checking from behind. Winkler was given a two-game suspension after his game misconduct for head contact.

Noreen said any suspensions that aren’t served in the regular season would carry over to the postseason.

In the penalty-filled game against the Lancers, the ejections and shortages had the Phantoms down to seven forwards for a long stretch of the game. Defenseman Connor McDonald was moved up to forward.

“Coach has been preaching hard to play between whistles, be as physical as you can be but make the other team feel it during play,” Parran said. “As soon as the whistle goes, hands down by your side, take a shot in the mouth [for a] power-play.”

Nenadal said the Phantoms won’t back down from questionable hits.

“The league has been hammering down on suspensions, which I think is awesome because it involves player safety,” Nenadal said, “You’ve got to stand up for your [teammates] but there is a time and a place.

“Emotions were running kind of high in Omaha.”

Next week, the Phantoms will travel to Illinois on Tuesday night for a Wednesday morning game against the sixth-place Chicago Steel (27-26-3, 57 points). Youngstown will conclude the regular season with a home-and-home series on Friday and next Saturday against Team USA (25-29-3).

The USHL postseason will begin around April 14. Should the Phantoms finish first in the Eastern Conference, they can pick the format for the opening round best-of-five series.

Noreen said there are three possibilities. The first scenario would have two home games followed by two road games and Game 5 at home.

The second possibility would start with a road game followed by two home games. Game 4 would be on the road and Game 5 at home.

The third scenario would start with two road games and end with three home games.

Building availability is an issue that won’t be resolved until the four seeds are determined.

This much is certain: the Phantoms’ first-round opponent will either be the Muskegon Lumberjacks or third-place Dubuque Fighting Saints (34-18-5, 73 points). If it’s the latter, travel back and forth to Iowa would make the likelihood of a 1-2-1-1 series unrealistic.

Noreen wouldn’t commit to not checking the USHL website for updates.

“There’s enough energy and pressure that go into our games,” Noreen said. “I have tried this year as hard as I possibly can to not watch or look at other teams’ scores. And we control our own destiny.”