Former Phantom Hirschfeld to Play in Frozen Four
April 1, 2009 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Mahoning Valley Phantoms News Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Wednesday, April 1st, 2009) - While the 2009 NAHL Playoffs don't begin until Friday, former Mahoning Valley Phantoms forward Alden Hirschfeld is getting set to play in college hockey's Frozen Four, the NCAA Division I national semifinals.
Hirschfeld, a freshman forward for the #13 Miami (OH) RedHawks, played for the Phantoms between 2006 and 2008, serving as team captain during the '07-'08 campaign.
The first-year RedHawk got a big start in the 2009 National Tournament last Friday when he scored an important first-period goal in Miami's 4-2 upset of #4 Denver in the West Regional semifinals.
"It was a great feeling to get the goal," says Hirschfeld, "I didn't know what to expect, with it being my first ever tournament game, but it was amazing and it was an even better feeling when we actually won the game."
Hirschfeld, along with sophomore standout linemates Tommy Wingels and Carter Camper, combined for a goal and three assists as the RedHawks pulled the first-round stunner.
Playing on the line with Camper and Wingels has been a welcome change for the former Mahoning Valley captain, who spent Miami's first 14 games sidelined with a broken arm.
"It's been pretty amazing, going from not playing at all, to playing on the fourth line, all the way to playing with great players like Tommy and Carter," adds Hirschfeld.
Miami followed up Friday's upset with another big shocker when they bumped the fifth-ranked WCHA champion Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs 2-1 on Saturday to gain the RedHawks' first Frozen Four appearance in school history.
"This is something I'll always remember," says Hirschfeld. "To accomplish something that's never been done in school history, something that other guys have dreamed about for decades; it's special."
The RedHawks continue their Cinderella run against another underdog-turned-semifinalist in the Frozen Four on Thursday, April 9th, when they take on the #15 Bemidji State Beavers at the Verizon Center in the nation's capital.
Back in the Valley, the Phantoms open the 2009 Playoffs on Friday night at the Chevrolet Centre when they host the Traverse City North Stars for game one of the North Division Semifinals at 7:30 PM.
As part of the "PACK THE HOUSE" promotion, the Phantoms are offering a special deal of $5.00 for any seat in the house for games one and two of the set. Fans can also get a free T-shirt game one by visiting selected local sponsors to collect a T-shirt voucher this week.
Participating sponsors include Cassesse's MVR, Rosetta Stone Café, Jeremiah Bullfrog's, all area Buffalo Wild Wings locations, Chick-Fil-A, Overture, Outback Steakhouse, the Youngstown Sports Grille and the Ice Zone.
Friday's game will be broadcast locally on ESPN Radio 1240, WBBW-AM, and worldwide at MVPPhantoms.com via B2 Networks. The pregame show will start at 7:15 PM.
Tickets for the 2009 Playoffs are now on sale. For more information or to reserve your 2009 Playoff seats, call the Phantom Box Office at (330) 965-7500.
The Mahoning Valley Phantoms are owned by the B.J. Alan Company - Phantom Fireworks, located in Youngstown, Ohio.
North American Hockey League Stories from April 1, 2009
- Former Phantom Hirschfeld to Play in Frozen Four - Mahoning Valley Phantoms
- Stars gear up for playoffs - Traverse City North Stars
- Rangers' Jarboe off to Wentworth - Marquette Rangers
- Trading Cards, Airplanes and Playoff Games Highlight Weekend - North Iowa Outlaws
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