Division Finals - St. Louis

I remember writing while riding on the bus last week about how the Phantoms have a renewed sense of confidence, and that they really feel that they can overcome any adversity. About 30 hours after I posted that, I think they pretty much proved me right.

What a comeback, what excitement! For those of you that made it up to Alpena last Thursday, you witnessed a great showing of how much this team has matured from the beginning of the season in Blaine, Minnesota to now.

Now, first of all, there has to be the qualifier that the Phantoms were up 2-0 in the series… so it was not exactly like their backs were to the wall to make the comeback… but believe me, no one wanted to stay up in Alpena for any longer than was necessary, everyone wanted a weekend to themselves for the first time since New Year’s Day, and the team (with Dexter and Ringel hurt) could really use the sweep for some time to heal.

At the same time, Alpena’s backs were to the wall. They had nothing to lose, and left it all out on the ice and played their best game of the series. They had a 2-0 lead, appeared to be in complete control with just 20 minutes left in the game, and then everything turned at the start of the third period.

The Phantoms got back to the game plan and really started getting some better chances. It seemed like the Phantoms’ sixth or seventh power play of the night – and nothing had really been clicking before then – when they finally got on the board.

Kyle Bailey was taking some abuse in front of the net, but was in the right place at the right time to find the rebound of a shot off the post just lying in the crease to cut it to one with less than half a period to go.

Although you could feel the team really get going after that, Madden’s goal to tie was really an uncharacteristic goal for Graves to give up – a point-blank shot from the top of the right circle. Give credit though to Madden for firing a laser and catching Graves off guard. He has shown that he likes to lead an offensive rush or two every game, and it paid off in a big way Thursday.

Two of the more unsung players on the team combined to force the overtime, and then Miles Winter did what he does best to wrap it up. I won’t describe it… if you missed it, you can catch Winter’s goal on the NAHL homepage.

Now the Bandits loom. Although the Phantoms have already clinched a berth into the Robertson Cup Tournament, there is still plenty to be played for. For one, the right to be called the North Division Champions. For two, to earn your way into the tournament. For three, to prove to themselves that they can beat St. Louis in St. Louis when the Tournament does roll around. And for four, to enact a measure of revenge for the Bandits’ winning the championship from them last season.

The Phantoms are still playing their best hockey and have now won six in a row dating back into the regular season, and 12 of the last 14. They obviously continue to get production from all four lines, and with a healthy Ringel and a healthy Dexter, they should even be that much stronger.

St. Louis is dangerous on all fronts. I would assume that Cal Heeter would get the first start for the Bandits, as he appears to be slightly better than Mike Johnson at this stage of the season. However, Johnson is a perfect 4-0 against the Phantoms this season, while Heeter is 2-2.

Ben Warda had eight points in three games against the U.S. National team. Mike Merrifield and Josh Rabbani, whom Warda has been playing alongside, have been putting up numbers as well. They have seven and six points respectively. That is 21 points in just three games from their top line!

Against the Phantoms this year, Ben Miller and Mike Leone have also been snipers, notching eight and seven points respectively in eight games this season between the two squads.

The Phantoms top scorers this season against the Bandits have been Johnny Meo, Nick Kenney, and Kyle Bailey. The Bandits have done a great job of holding the Phantoms top unit of Derek Graham, Alden Hirschfeld and Grant Blakey in check. The trio has accumulated just four points in the season series.

The Bandits and Phantoms have not faced off, however, since February 24. That streak of 12 wins in the last 14 games started right after identical 5-1 losses in St. Louis on that weekend. Mahoning Valley is playing much better hockey now than they were then, and definitely has a lot to prove. The Phantoms need to learn how to win on the Olympic surface in order to return to the Robertson Cup Championship game.

In case you haven’t read before, here is the schedule… I’ll see the Boeckman’s in St. Louis on Friday; I’ll see the rest of you probably Wednesday at the pre-game party at the Ice Zone. Go Phantoms!

Game 1 - Friday, April 18, at 8:15 p.m., at the Hardees IcePlex in Chesterfield, Mo.
Game 2 - Saturday, April 19, at 8:15 p.m., at the Hardees IcePlex in Chesterfield, Mo.
Game 3 - Wednesday, April 23, at 7:15 p.m., at the Ice Zone in Boardman
Game 4 - Friday, April 25, at 7:15 p.m., at the Ice Zone in Boardman*
Game 5 - Sunday, April 27, at 8:15 p.m., at the Hardees IcePlex in Chesterfield, Mo.*

* = if necessary
(All times are Eastern)