Potential First Round Playoff Foe Awaits Phantoms This Weekend
Published on March 20, 2008 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Mahoning Valley Phantoms News Release
BOARDMAN, Ohio - The Mahoning Valley Phantoms enter this weekend's games against the third place Alpena Ice Diggers, having won six out of their last seven contests, clinching second place in the North American Hockey League North Division, and knowing that this most likely will be a preview of a first round match up between the two rivals.
"The last thing we want to do is give them any life, any chance, or any belief that they can win on our surface." says Phantoms assistant coach Curtis Carr. "Especially since we have the home-ice advantage, we want to pretty much take it to them, and put the doubt in their minds about whether or not they can win here."
After winning all three games against the Traverse City North Stars at the Ice Zone last weekend, outscoring them 17-3 over the final eight-plus periods of hockey, the 2007-2008 Phantoms are starting to have the makings of another championship contender.
"We are definitely moving in the right direction and playing better as a 20-man unit," said Phantoms head coach Bob Mainhardt. "I think we took a step last weekend - we acted a little immature in the first period last Friday, but we regained our momentum, bounced back, and played the game we wanted to over the next eight periods. We hope we can continue to improve here each week and peak at the right time."
While the team's top lines continue contributing, it has been the Phantom's fourth line that has been leading the way recently. After notching four goals and three assists against the North Stars, Stefan Salituro was named the Player of the Week in the North Division. The 17-year-old Willowdale, Ontario native has now scored at least one point in each of the last six games.
"Salli is a player we picked up for a reason," said Mainhardt. "He's a gifted, impact player who just took some time to work into our system and into our game plan. He's worked tremendously hard, broken out and has played the way we knew he could play recently."
Kyle Bailey has been on a tear recently as well. After three points in the first two games against Traverse City, Bailey's hat trick on Sunday sparked the Phantoms to a 6-1 triumph.
Rookie forward Brian McGinty also had a point in each game this past weekend, collecting two goals and three assists, including the game-winning, shootout goal last Friday night. McGinty now has 10 points in his last seven games.
While the Phantoms goaltenders did not have to be spectacular against the Stars, they have been exactly that so far this season against the Ice Diggers. Jordan Tibbett and Garrett Bartus each boast 2.40 goals-against averages in the season series, and save percentages in excess of .925.
If the Phantoms hope to continue their domination over Alpena, they will have to slow down third-year forward Erik Peterson. So far this season, Peterson is fourth in the country in scoring with 71 points, and heads up the NAHL's third best powerplay.
The Ice Diggers have struggled to a 4-9-2 record over their last 15 games, and are just 3-7-0 against the Phantoms this season. But the Mahoning Valley coaching staff knows that hockey at this time of the year is intense - no matter whom you are playing.
"It's a long season, and you can get some lulls in the middle," Mainhardt says. "It's a tough job to come in and finish your checks for 75 games in a row, but the veteran players and the young players have been through their cycle, and now everybody is doing all those little things. That's the big difference with playoffs, you really have everybody putting everything forth and giving everything they've got."
The Phantoms (33-17-4, 70 points) and the Ice Diggers (29-22-5, 63 points) are slated for 7:15 p.m. start times on Friday and Saturday night at the Ice Zone in Boardman.
Making a special visit on Saturday night, will be the Mahoning Valley Thunder football players, staff, and cheerleaders (the Storm Chasers) - who will be giving out free t-shirts to the first 500 fans. Additionally, there will be $1 beers on Friday night, along with coupons to the first 250 fans for a free Bloomin' Onion - courtesy of the Outback Steakhouse.
Catch all Phantoms hockey broadcast live on the web at www.mvpphantoms.com. The Mahoning Valley Phantoms are owned by the B.J. Alan Company - Phantom Fireworks, located in Youngstown, Ohio.
North American Hockey League Stories from March 20, 2008
- Potential First Round Playoff Foe Awaits Phantoms This Weekend - Mahoning Valley Phantoms
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