Phantoms hit the road one last time

March 7, 2007 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Mahoning Valley Phantoms News Release


BOARDMAN, Ohio - The Mahoning Valley Phantoms conclude the road portion of their regular season on Mar. 9-10 when they visit the Alpena Ice Diggers. Face-off both nights from Northern Lights Arena is at 7 p.m. and will be webcast on www.mvpphamtoms.com.

The Phantoms, 41-11-1, have won 35 of their last 39 games. On Sunday, they captured their first-ever North American Hockey League North Division regular season title by defeating the Marquette Rangers 6-4 at the Ice Zone.

With the regular season title secured, Head Coach Bob Mainhardt says that complacency is not a concern with the playoffs still four weeks away.

"When there's healthy competition between our players on the ice, we'll know who will be dressing in the playoffs," Mainhardt said.

The nine remaining games will allow the Phantoms to focus on other objectives heading into the playoffs.

"Securing first place gives us one less thing to worry about," Mainhardt said. "At this level and time, it's about development and continuing to push. We still have a lot of goals to accomplish over these next few weeks."

Mainhardt also cites the Phantoms remaining schedule as an opportunity to utilize his entire roster. The Phantoms final seven games, all at home, include three games in three days and a pair of series against the U.S. National Team.

Games against Team USA allow opponents to suit a game roster of 22 players, two more than normally permitted.

"We like playing Team USA and the opportunity to show our depth," Mainhardt said. "Especially when you have more than 20 guys who deserve to play."

He also sees it as an opportunity for his players to stay healthy entering the post-season.

"If we have someone who might not be 100 percent, then it's not our obligation to dress them," Mainhardt said. "If we have no injuries, then we'll have a few extra guys to stay fresh."

Alpena, 30-19-3, is 1-7-2 in their last 10 games. However, they only need a combination of four wins or Team USA regulation losses to clinch second place in the division.

Center Dustin Cloutier is easily the most productive player currently in the NAHL. He has a point in each of the Phantoms last 14 games, which is a team record and the second-longest streak in the league this season.

Over that time, Cloutier has 30 points on 17 goals and 13 assists. He is also the Phantoms leading scorer against Alpena this season with six goals and 12 assists in 12 games. The Phantoms are 10-2-0 versus Alpena.

The Phantoms announced that tickets for their North Division semifinal playoff series will go on sale next week, once dates are agreed upon with their possible first-round opponents.

The Mahoning Valley Phantoms are owned by the B.J. Alan Company- Phantom Fireworks, which is headquartered in Youngstown, Ohio.



North American Hockey League Stories from March 7, 2007


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