Higby Delivers OT Winner as Phantoms Drop Bandits 4-3
Published on November 14, 2008 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Mahoning Valley Phantoms News Release
YOUNGSTOWN, OH (Friday, November 14th, 2008) - The Mahoning Valley Phantoms held off a furious rally by the defending Robertson Cup champion St. Louis Bandits, winning 4-3 in overtime in their Chevrolet Centre opener on Friday night.
Erik Higby delivered the finishing blow in overtime with the Phantoms on the penalty kill, slamming home a Carl Nielsen rebound past St. Louis goalie Keith Kinkaid to lift the Phantoms to their 10th win of the year. The play began as a faceoff in Mahoning Valley's zone and ended 200 feet away with a celebration.
"They all came crashing in off the faceoff, and that sprang Carl," said Higby of the play. "I wasn't even going to go with him [on the rush] until I saw they only had one man back. After Carl's shot, it just came right to me and I buried it."
The Phantoms held leads of 2-0 and 3-1 before the Bandits rattled off two late third-period goals, including one with 15 seconds left off the stick of St. Louis forward Clinton Bourbonais to force overtime.
The goal came with the Phantoms on the penalty kill as George Saad served a 5-minute major assessed to Cullen Lundholm for slashing.
The Phantoms killed off the remainder of Lundholm's penalty and a cross-checking minor given to John Houston during the overtime period. Houston took another penalty with 56 seconds left in OT. The ensuing faceoff led to Higby's short-handed game-winner.
Phantoms Assistant Coach Curtis Carr said he was glad the Phantoms were able to survive the late rally.
"We aren't happy that we were put into that situation," said Carr, "but we're glad the guys showed a lot of perseverance in coming back for the win.
The Phantoms led 2-0 after two periods on goals from Kyle Verbeek and Robert Harrison, but Bourbonais, Grant Gorczyca and Andrew Hamburg combined for third period goals to force overtime.
George Saad briefly gave the Phantoms a 3-1 lead after stuffing home an Alex Lippincott rebound.
Jordan Tibbett improved to 7-2-0 on the season, stuffing 23 of St. Louis' 26 shots and making a key save on Hamburg in OT to keep the game going.
"If Jordan doesn't make that save," said Carr, "it's game over. Whenever we've needed a big save, he's been there for us this year."
North American Hockey League Stories from November 14, 2008
- Higby Delivers OT Winner as Phantoms Drop Bandits 4-3 - Mahoning Valley Phantoms
- Rangers Deal Stars OT loss - Traverse City North Stars
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