First Place on the Line as North Stars Invade for Three
February 5, 2009 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Mahoning Valley Phantoms News Release
BOARDMAN, OH (Thursday, February 5th, 2009) - The Mahoning Valley Phantoms kick off the second-to-last month of the regular season on Friday with first place in the North Division hanging in the balance as the second place Traverse City North Stars storm into the Ice Zone for a three-game series.
Entering Friday's action, the Phantoms (26-10-3, 55 pts) hold a two-point lead over the red-hot North Stars (24-9-5, 53 pts) for first place with six points in play between the two sides in the upcoming series.
The two front-running teams have pulled away from the pack in the North as Traverse City's lead for second place is a full eight points over both Team USA (21-11-3, 45 pts) and Alpena (20-15-5, 45 pts).
Through seven previous games, the Phantoms hold a 3-2-2 record against the North Stars.
The last time the two teams met, Mahoning Valley went 1-1-1 in Traverse City in early January, losing 5-4 in a shootout, rallying for a 5-3 win and finishing the three-game series with a 4-2 loss.
In all three games of the series, the team that led after the second period ultimately lost.
Phantoms forward Nick Kenney had the big performance of that weekend, striking for three goals and three assists, earning the first North Division Player of the Week award of 2009. Kenney says that with the stakes even higher this weekend, it's important for the Phantoms to get a fast start.
"This series is huge," says the Wixom, MI, native. "We've got to set the tone right away. They're only two points behind us in the standings so we want to get a little separation this weekend."
The three-game set comes mere days after the Phantoms made the biggest move of trade deadline week, acquiring Motor City's leading scorer Josh Bussell (33 GP, 16-13-29) in exchange for defenseman Dustin Hopfner.
Kenney says the deadline deal for Bussell makes Mahoning Valley even more dangerous.
"Getting Bussell is big," says the second-year Phantom. "Josh is a really good player and we can already tell that it's going to go a long way, having him out there with us."
The NAHL trade deadline is this Sunday, February 8th.
The line of Kenney, Jordy Trottier (Bentley College) and Nick Shkreli has put up big numbers against the North Stars, combining for 8 goals and 16 assists against the Phantoms' closest competitor this season. Mahoning Valley goaltenders Jordan Tibbett and Garrett Bartus have combined for a 3.14 goals against average and a .886 save percentage against Traverse City this season.
On the Traverse City side, team captain Kyle Bonis has led the charge against the Phantoms, registering 10 points on 2 goals and 8 assists against Mahoning Valley. In net, Brandon Stephenson and C.J. Motte have combined for a 3.43 GAA and a .877 SV% in seven games against the Phantoms.
Friday and Saturday night's games will get underway at 7:15 PM while Sunday's contest is scheduled for a 3:00 PM start at the Ice Zone in Boardman.
The games will be broadcast locally on ESPN Radio 1240, WBBW-AM, with the pregame show beginning 15 minutes before the puck drop of each game.
North American Hockey League Stories from February 5, 2009
- Kennedy Going Div. I - Bismarck Bobcats
- North Stars hit the road - Traverse City North Stars
- First Place on the Line as North Stars Invade for Three - Mahoning Valley Phantoms
- U.S. National Under-18 Team Outlasts Sweden, 3-2 - U.S. National Team
- Trading Cards, Posters, Harley-Davidson Jerseys Added to Promo Schedule - North Iowa Outlaws
- Former Jr. Blues Goaltender Mike McKenna Makes NHL Debut - Springfield Jr. Blues
- U.S. National Under-17 Team Tops Germany, 3-1, in Vlad Dzurilla Opener - U.S. National Team
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