Phantoms ride 14-game winning streak
December 8, 2006 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Mahoning Valley Phantoms News Release
BOARDMAN, Ohio - The Mahoning Valley Phantoms, winners of 14 consecutive games, prepare for a weekend showdown when they battle the Alpena (Mich.) Ice Diggers for first place on Dec. 8-9 at the Ice Zone in Boardman. Face-off both nights is at 7 p.m.
The Phantoms, 20-7-1, are tied for first place with Alpena, 20-6-1, with 41 points in the North American Hockey League's North Division. The Ice Diggers gained a share of the top spot in the North with a 5-2 win over the U.S. National Team in Ann Arbor, Mich. last night.
In their only previous meetings on Oct. 27 and Oct. 28, the Phantoms swept the Ice Diggers in Alpena by scores of 5-2 and 5-4 in an overtime shootout.
That weekend sweep kick-started the Phantoms current winning streak, the longest in the NAHL this season.
"(Alpena Head Coach) Kenny Miller has done a great job with his team," Phantoms Head Coach Bob Mainhardt said. "He has a strong core of players and a good balance of talent at all positions. They will be ready this weekend."
Saturday is Toys for Tots' night. Fans who bring in a new, unwrapped toy will receive a free Open Skating session at the Ice Zone as well as a free Chuck-a-Puck for a chance to win prizes during the first intermission, including Cleveland Cavaliers tickets.
With the Phantoms 18-3-1 against their division, Mainhardt says coaching becomes a greater challenge. "My biggest job now is to keep everyone honest. Not just at practice, but also their daily routine. Each player has expectations for themselves and their teammates."
The numbers within the streak speak for themselves.
The Phantoms power play is 30 for 97 (30.9 percent), vaulting them into second place overall in the NAHL, behind Alpena, at 20.0 percent. The Phantoms have successfully killed 91 of 100 penalties (91.0 percent, including 71 of their last 74 (95.94 percent).
"(Assistant Coach) Curt (Carr) has done a really good job in handling our penalty killing units," Mainhardt said. "He has used our video review as an aid to teach our players the little things when we're shorthanded."
Carr said, "We're keeping the puck along the perimeter in our zone. Our defense is blocking shots and breaking up centering passes. When you do that consistently, you force your opponent to make tougher plays."
Goaltender Ryan Zapolski has been in goal for every minute of the streak. He is 14-0 with a 1.70 goals against average, a .947 save percentage and one shutout to his credit. Defensively, Zapolski and the Phantoms have allowed two or fewer goals in 12 of those games.
Zapolski leads or ranks in the top five in eight NAHL goaltending categories. He is first in wins (19), ranks fifth in goals against average (2.55) and is fifth in save percentage (.922).
Centers Nathan Longpre and Dustin Cloutier each have 20 points over the period. Longpre has on eight goals and 12 assists, while Cloutier has added 14 goals and six assists.
Phantom center Derek Graham currently has an 11-game point scoring streak, recording 19 points on six goals and 13 assists. The streak ties the team record set by Rob Rassey on Nov. 13, 2004. Rassey is currently a sophomore playing at Northeastern University.
Graham is one game shy of tying the league-high at 12 this season, shared by Alpena's Nolan Craner and Todd Rudasill.
"They (Cloutier and Graham) were not treated properly by their former teams," Mainhardt said. "We have shown our confidence and commitment to help them achieve their goal of playing Division One college hockey."
Mainhardt added, "They have returned the favor by showing us their faith and confidence in us. Dustin and Derek are proving that they can play at the next level."
The Phantoms have outscored opponents 72-24, including 29-7 in the third period during the streak. They have scored at least three goals in every game and at least four goals in all but two. As a result, Mahoning Valley has the highest scoring offense in the NAHL, averaging 4.32 goals per game.
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 December 8, 2006
- Purins nets four as Phantoms win 15th straight - Mahoning Valley Phantoms
- Bobcats on the road - Bismarck Bobcats
- Tornado update - Texas Tornado
- Phantoms ride 14-game winning streak - Mahoning Valley Phantoms
- Alpena jumps back into first - Alpena IceDiggers
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