Three Weeks Left

With the regular season winding down and the playoffs right around the corner, the Phantoms will face one of their most critical tests of the season this coming weekend.

With the North Stars 9-0-1 in their last 10 games, and having two weeks to prepare for these three games, it is going to be one of the stiffest tests the Phantoms will have faced all season. St. Louis might be the most skilled team the Phantoms have faced, but the Stars are the hottest, will be the most prepared, have the most to play for – their playoff lives, and have three chances at Mahoning Valley.

As it stands right now in the North, with the U.S. beating Alpena last night, the North Stars are tied for fifth with the Rangers, and one point behind the U.S. in fourth. The Ice Diggers are currently three points behind us, but we have three games in hand on Alpena, and play them twice next weekend.

We have talked about the parity in the North division all season long, and it is only fitting for the playoff picture to be as hazy as it is going down to the wire.

The games against Marquette were really nothing to write home about either night. Friday’s win was nice obviously, especially since it seemed like there was either a bit of food poisoning going around the team or some type of 24-hour stomach virus. The boys toughed it out and although they lost a couple leads, they showed their developed maturity and maintained their composure to hang on in the end for the win.

The effort was there on Saturday night, it was just a case of unfortunate bounces that went the Rangers’ way. You have to give Marquette some credit for forcing the issue, however – luck is the residue of design. Three of their goals actually deflected off Phantoms players on their way in. The entire last minute of regulation was spent peppering Beau Christian with shots, but the Phantoms just couldn’t get one by him.

Looking into Traverse City’s run lately, it has been Kyle Bonis (16 points), Nathan Urbaniak (12 points), and Harrison Niemann (12 points) that have led the way over the last 10 games. Chris Paliafito and Brandon Stephenson have combined to save over 93% of the shots they have faced, and are allowing just two goals per game.

However, the “1” in the 9-0-1 record was at the hands of the Phantoms back on February 15 at the Ice Zone – a game in which the Phantoms had a 4-1 lead with just 15 minutes left to play, before the Stars came storming back to tie. Chad Boeckman then won it in the shootout.

With one win this weekend, the Phantoms can clinch a playoff spot. With a three game sweep, the Phantoms can secure second place in the division and the all-important home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs.

The best news for the Phantoms is the fact that despite all the setbacks throughout the season, they seem to finally be getting healthy at the most important time of the year. Kyle Bailey returned with flying colors, notching a pair of goals on Saturday and earning an honorable mention for player of the week.

Obviously, Alden Hirschfeld’s return has been key. Since returning to the team’s top line with Graham and Blakey on March 1, the trio has combined for 11 points in three games. Only Robert Harrison and Brent Dexter remain on the injured list, and hopefully they will be back in soon.

This weekend of course is the St. Patrick’s Day weekend at the Ice Zone. The Phantoms will be wearing their special edition, green St. Patrick’s Day jerseys on Saturday and Sunday which will be auctioned off to fans at those games. Also, for those readers who are 21 or older, there will be $1 beers on Sunday.

Friday and Saturday, the games start at the usual 7:15 p.m. time – Sunday’s opening face-off is set for 3 p.m.