Phantoms/Barons showdown begins Friday
Published on January 12, 2006 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Mahoning Valley Phantoms News Release
Boardman, Ohio (Thursday, January 12, 2006) - Let the rivalry heat up.
The Mahoning Valley Phantoms and the Cleveland Barons have met seven times to this point. Meeting another seven times will further fuel what has become a fiery battle in Northeast Ohio.
The two hottest teams in the North American Hockey League begin a three-game series Friday at The Ice Zone. Faceoff is at 7:00pm.
In this corner, the Phantoms are 8-0-2 in their last 10 games and 15-3-3 in their last 21. They have scored at least four goals in eight straight games and are 11-0-2 at home. They also feature two of the league's top 10 scorers in Marc Menzione (seventh) and Anthony Ciraulo (ninth).
In the other corner, the Barons have won five in a row and 13 of their last 14. Over that stretch, they have allowed three or fewer goals in every game. They also feature the league's leading scorer in Carter Camper and Josh Leonard who is third.
In addition, Friday's match-up begins a very busy stretch for the Phantoms; 10 games in just 17 days. It's been seven weeks since the Phantoms last 10 contests.
"Hopefully, what we consider to be our depth is going to pay off. Any one of those guys will tell you that they'd rather have 10 games in 17 days than 10 practices. We'd like to take the approach to make practice so hard that games are easy. It's what these players have been sacrificing and waiting for a long time. 10 games in 17 days should be nothing but a big party," said Head Coach Bob Mainhardt.
That depth has risen to the occasion. In last weekend's sweep of Traverse City, the Phantoms received goals from all four forward lines in Saturday's 4-3 win, and from three different lines in Sunday's 6-3 victory. At least three lines have contributed goals in six of the last eight games.
Two things have proven favorable for the Barons against the Phantoms this season; the power play and the second period.
Whatever Cleveland Head Coach Jack Fritsche tells his team in the locker room after the first period, it works. In seven games, Cleveland has outscored the Phantoms 15-8 in the middle period and opponents 55-33 overall this season; clearly their most efficient 20 minutes of work.
Cleveland also owns the league's second best power play at a rate of 22.3 percent. The Phantoms have contained Cleveland when shorthanded, killing 38 of 45 Barons power plays (84.4 percent.) But those 45 man advantages are 20 more extra-man opportunities than the Phantoms have enjoyed; they are 6 for 25 (24 percent) against Cleveland's penalty killing. The Phantoms will need to play disciplined hockey if they want to gain ground on first place.
Camper recently committed to play at Miami of Ohio, currently ranked third in the latest NCAA poll and home to former Phantoms defenseman Charley Fetzer. The native of Rocky River plays on the Barons top line with Leonard and Tomas Petruska, who recently represented his native Slovakia at the World Junior Hockey Championships in British Columbia. As a trio, they have combined for 33 points in their seven prior meetings against the Phantoms this season. Containing this number one unit at even strength and on special teams will force the Barons to depend on their other forward lines to pick up the slack; something the Phantoms feel they have an advantage over should they expose it.
Statistical excellence: When they score first- Phantoms 14-2-3, Cleveland 15-5-3. When leading after the second period- Phantoms 15-0-1, Cleveland 15-2-1. When outshooting their opponent- Phantoms 11-3-1, Cleveland 15-6-1.
North American Hockey League Stories from January 12, 2006
- Phantoms/Barons showdown begins Friday - Mahoning Valley Phantoms
- U.S. National Under-17 Team Falls to North Stars - U.S. National Team
- NAHL Players of the Week - NAHL
- Tornado Announce Pros vs. Prospects II - Texas Tornado
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