Home Stretch Begins

After a week-long road trip, we are finally back in Boardman. And an interesting trip it was. Our record really didn’t reflect how we played. We went 2-2-0 on the swing, but we played like we should have gone 3-1-0. We were a questionable call away from a point (or possibly two) last night that would have made the weekend a statistical success.

First of all, it was a great shot, but Kristo’s snipe in the last minute of regulation Tuesday night was caused by having too much room, and too much time to pick a spot… a direct effect of having a power play on a questionable neutral-zone penalty called on the Phantoms. Now you can’t blame a loss entirely on officiating, but it could be considered a contributor.

Friday’s 6-5 shootout win was probably our poorest performance of the four games, but a win nonetheless. Both Saturday and Tuesday, we played well enough to win, but just couldn’t pull it off. That’s the way the bounces go sometimes, and especially on the road.

Miles Winter has put together a multi-point effort in three of the last four games; earned a Player of the Week award; and has just really picked up his game. His shot is deadly, it’s a quick release, it’s fast – velocity-wise, and it is accurate. His speed is deceptive – he doesn’t look like he is faster than everyone else, but I just watched him skate around some of the best defensemen in the league for the past week. His size is a huge asset as well. Not only can he score, but he adds a physical dynamic to the team when he’s out there.

Of course Graham has continued his stellar play. He is up to second in league scoring now, only a point behind Cardwell, and also has the most goals in the NAHL. He has now scored a goal in 11 of his past 13 games, and has failed to notch a point in only four games the entire season. Talk about consistency!

On the topic of consistency… we finally saw some this week. A few letdowns here and there are to be expected, but the effort for 60 minutes is what is harped upon. The effort, I felt was there all weekend.

The Phantoms will be without their fourth-leading scorer for an indefinite amount of time. Brent Dexter went down on Sunday with a shoulder ailment. It isn’t as serious as was first suspected though, and Dex appears to be healing quickly. Don’t expect to see him this weekend, however. Physicians will get a better look at him next week.

We saw three very physical games at Traverse City just a few days ago. With each team having one game in between (Traverse City and Alpena play tonight), I doubt any animosity will have subsided when they face off again here on Friday and Saturday. The fans at the Ice Zone should be in for a treat, and hopefully a couple of wins as well.

As you may have already heard (or read) World Middleweight Champion, and Youngstown native, Kelly Pavlik will be in attendance on Saturday night. That should make the place even that much more electric. The Ice Zone should be close to capacity.

Like I said last week and have been reiterating in my broadcasts, the Phantoms will now play 27 of their final 35 regular season games at the Ice Zone. On the bus ride back from Ann Arbor late last night, it was evident that most of the players are relieved to finally be skating on home ice for a while.

Including the exhibition games in New Jersey, the players have been enduring red-eye bus rides, and living out of hotels for 9 of the past 10 weekends, 21 of 23 games, for a bit over two months. It’s been quite a run – a great time, but taxing. To come out of this stretch with a 14-7-2 record, 30 points, and a second place standing, is an accomplishment, and our boys are to be commended.

Happy Thanksgiving, and see you Friday in Boardman.