PHANTOMS OF THE RINK SHOOT FOR TOURNEY TITLE.

Byline: Jim Inghram Daily News Staff Writer

In their last tournament, the Black Ice Phantoms - a 14-and-under traveling roller hockey team from Simi Valley - captured third place in the 1997 Youth Roller Hockey Championships held in West Covina last month.

Up next for the team is the NHL Breakout Tournament today and tomorrow in Santa Monica, and they want to finish even higher.

The Phantoms placed second in their age group in this tournament last year. ``This year we think we have a good shot to place,'' coach Bill Knight said. ``A lot depends on the other teams that are there and the amount of tournament experience they have. Last year there was a team from Sweden.''

Knight noted that at last year's event celebrities and players from the now-defunct Los Angeles Blades (of the Roller Hockey International League) were in attendance.

``It's a fairly big event,'' Knight said, ``with teams from all over the place.''

The Phantoms have been together for more than a year and are part of the Black Ice Roller Hockey League in Simi Valley.

The league practices and plays its games on a temporary rink that is regulation size, set up on the smooth asphalt of the Santa Susana Elementary School. Games are played on Saturdays and Sundays from early in the morning until late afternoon.

``We're the only league in Simi,'' Knight said. ``There's an indoor league in Thousand Oaks, but we're the only outdoor league.''

In existence for five years, the league has players that range from age five to adult.

``The games are pretty serious and competitive,'' Knight said. ``The adult games really get intense.''

Players in the league wear the typical ice hockey uniform with pads and helmets, but instead of skate blades the players used in-line skates. ``Some of the older guys use roller skates,'' Knight said. ``But most are on blades (in-line skates).''

The Phantoms are coached by Knight and Oscar Lafflitto, and the team is composed of forwards Mike Zamudio, Paul Lafflitto, Andrew Cain and Ricky Jordan, goalie Mike Hays and defensemen Daniel Fredrickson, Chris Knight Jason Lewis, Joseph Zuccolillo and Mike Johnson.

``We're getting better the more tournaments we play,'' Knight said. ``The kids have been together for a while and are committed to it. We're having fun.''

CAPTION(S):

Photo

PHOTO Ricky Jordan, left, and Paul Lafflito of the 14-and-under Black Ice Phantoms practice at Santa Susana Elementary.

Jeff Goldwater / Daily News