Phantoms Split With Diggers Sets Up First Round Showdown
March 24, 2008 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Mahoning Valley Phantoms News Release
BOARDMAN, Ohio - While the Mahoning Valley Phantoms' 3-2 win on Saturday night against the Alpena Ice Diggers was the 12th and final regular season showdown between the two squads, Alpena's 3-2 triumph on Friday night laid the groundwork for three to five more games come playoff time.
After Miles Winter and Derek Graham staked the Phantoms to a 2-1 lead with just over four minutes remaining in the second period on Friday night, Alpena's Jon Puskar blasted home the game-tying goal to spark the Ice Diggers' comeback.
Midway through the third, Puskar then assisted on Isaac Viau's game-winner that, not only helped Alpena (30-23-5, 65 points) clinch a playoff spot, but also sealed up the return trip to Boardman in the first round of the North American Hockey League playoffs as the North division's third seed.
"I think we played pretty well for the most part," said Phantoms assistant coach Curtis Carr after the loss. "The guys worked hard, and we stuck to the game plan. A few bounces here and there and it would have been a different game. Alpena came in here, and they needed the points to clinch third place, and (Alpena goaltender Nick) Graves played pretty well for them."
Saturday's game featured a goaltending display at both ends of the ice. While Graves stopped 34 Phantoms shots, it was Mahoning Valley goaltender Garrett Bartus that stole the show. Bartus stopped 43 of 45 shots, including a few last-minute flurries to secure his 22nd win of the season.
"Garrett played very well for us this weekend - he gave us a chance to win both nights," said Phantoms head coach Bob Mainhardt. "It came down to goaltending in each game, and we expect it to be that way down the stretch here for the rest of the season and the playoffs."
Former Ice Digger Carl Nielsen ended up tallying the game-winner for the Phantoms with 1:01 left in regulation. With Mahoning Valley leading 2-1, Nielsen's 180-foot clearing attempt off the boards found the empty net and appeared to have put the icing on the cake. Only 20 seconds later, however, Viau's second of the weekend made things interesting until the final buzzer.
Winter's goal and two assists led the Phantoms in scoring over the weekend. Winter, a Quinnipiac University commit, is in the midst of a six game point scoring streak - he has collected three goals and six assists over that span. Forward Chad Boeckman has an assist in five straight games.
Before sitting out Saturday's game, Graham tallied a goal and an assist in Friday's loss. With the two point night, however, the 19-year-old native of Schoolcraft, Mich. became the all-time leading scorer in Phantoms history with 127 points. The future Ferris State Bulldog has 30 goals and 39 assists this season - best on the team, and tying him for seventh among league scorers.
"Derek is a great all-around player," said Carr. "He has really committed himself off the ice to working out and getting in the gym. Every day in practice, he is our hardest worker, and it is definitely paying off in games for him."
Overall, the second place Phantoms are now 20-7-1 at the Ice Zone. Mahoning Valley finished its regular season series against Alpena with an 8-4-0 mark - winning three of its last four.
The two teams will play at least three more against each other over the first two weeks of April, however, in the first round of the NAHL playoffs. Mahoning Valley will have the home-ice advantage in the best-of-five series.
The rest of the North division was also settled over the weekend. The first place St. Louis Bandits won a pair of games over sixth place Traverse City, while the U.S. National Team swept their two game series against fifth place Marquette.
Both the North Stars and the Rangers were eliminated from playoff contention, and the U.S. clinched the fourth and final spot in the playoffs and will now face St. Louis in the opening round.
Up next, Mahoning Valley (34-18-4, 72 points) will face off against the U.S. National Team (28-24-4, 60 points) on Friday and Saturday night at the Ice Zone. The contests will be both teams' final games of the regular season.
Game time at the Ice Zone is slated for 7:15 p.m. both nights. Catch all Phantoms hockey action broadcast live on the web at www.mvpphantoms.com. The Mahoning Valley Phantoms are owned by the B.J. Alan Company - Phantom Fireworks, located in Youngstown, Ohio.
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North American Hockey League Stories from March 24, 2008
- Blizzard storms into playoffs - NAHL
- Phantoms Split With Diggers Sets Up First Round Showdown - Mahoning Valley Phantoms
- Coach Miller Being Locked Up by MDA - Alpena IceDiggers
- Thunder Set Opening Night Roster - Mahoning Valley Phantoms
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