Tied For First

I hope everyone had a good holiday feast, I sure did.

It’s been a long road coming, but we’ve finally caught up to St. Louis for first place in the North Division and the most overall points in the NAHL. Now we just have to keep it going. If we want to catch North Iowa for the best overall record, that’s going to be another good battle.

The wins this weekend were very similar. The Phantoms put up big leads, 3-0 on Friday and 5-1 on Saturday, before allowing the Stars to make things interesting, 3-3 on Friday and 5-3 on Saturday, and then putting it away. We dominated all but 10 minutes of each game it seemed like… still not 60 minutes, but closer. As coach Mainhardt said – we played 100 good minutes this weekend out of 120.

Obviously, with that statement, there is room for improvement. Earlier in the year, without as much maturity, it might have been a different story. Letting a team back into the game, we wouldn’t have been able to quell their momentum. Interestingly enough, even though they never got any closer than 5-3, I thought Traverse City had a better chance of taking that one from us, than they did when they tied us up at 3-3 on Friday.

Salituro had a heck of a weekend, and now has eight points in his last four games. His hat trick on Friday was only the second of the season for a Phantom… both were against the Stars (Miles Winter on 11/16). Once the North Stars tied it up, he took the team on his back and won the game for us.

Moser had a good weekend as well, with three goals… his first three points since October! Even without getting any points for all those games, he is still fourth on the team in scoring. That just goes to show you how hot of a start he really had. I wouldn’t call it a slump, however. According to the coaches, he really has improved his defensive zone skills and become more of a complete player. Both Salituro and Moser are first year players, and led us this weekend… reassuring.

I think it was a good thing that we got two wins without Derek Graham getting a point. Furthermore, he is still second in the NAHL in points, so it didn’t hurt him too much not to get anything. It would have been nice to be take over as the league’s leading scorer, but he’ll undoubtedly get plenty more points this season.

The attendance this weekend was very encouraging. With the colder weather and all the events/promotions happening this weekend, the Phantoms drew over 900 on Friday and over 1000 fans on Saturday. Although there were no fights, much to the fans’ dismay, there were two wins. This should hopefully keep them rolling in. It’s a great atmosphere down here.

In case you haven’t read the news, the Phantoms are already planning for the future, signing four players for the 2008-2009 season. Three players, J.D. Howard, Kyle Van and Zak Zaremba signed this weekend, while William Rapuzzi signed a few weeks ago via fax. Howard especially is encouraging, as he is one of the first local kids to be tendered by the Phantoms. Kyle Van is a great defenseman and plays currently on the AAA team. The other two are putting up monster numbers in good leagues. Congrats to all four.

Kyle Verbeek got his first points as a Phantom, chalking up an assist on both Friday and Saturday night on Scott Moser goals. Verbeek’s size and hustle are probably his most outstanding qualities. Right now he is playing with Meo and Moser, we’ll see where he goes when Dexter is back in the line-up and Winter moves back onto Meo’s line. Wherever it is, he’ll be a tremendous asset.

Speaking of Dexter, encouraging news: He is healing quicker than originally expected. Hopefully, we’ll see him this weekend.

Ringel on the other hand, is going to be a bit more lengthy. Interviewing him yesterday, and talking with the Phantoms trainer the day before, he isn’t expected to start getting back on the ice until a few weeks from now due to his shoulder injury. The December games at home versus the USA might be pushing it, but by January, hopefully, he’ll be back in the saddle.

Looking at Alpena this weekend… After sweeping back on November 9-10 at Northern Lights Arena, the Phantoms are ahead 4-2 in the season series. Those two wins however were hard-fought, one-goal wins, with Grant Blakey getting the game-winner midway through the third period both nights.

After sweeping them in Alpena, I’d have to say another sweep here at the Ice Zone is expected from the coaching staff. Wins however aren’t automatic in this league, they will be earned. It will come down to execution, discipline, and hard-work… if we win in those departments, we’ll win every game.