Higby's OT Winner Nets Him Player of the Week Award
November 17, 2008 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Mahoning Valley Phantoms News Release
FRISCO, TX (Monday, November 17th, 2008) - Mahoning Valley Phantoms forward Erik Higby picked up his first game-winning goal of the year on Friday night against the St. Louis Bandits, and on Monday he picked up his first-ever Sherwood NAHL North Division Player of the Week Award.
Higby scored shorthanded with 46 seconds left in overtime on Friday night to secure the Phantoms' 4-3 triumph over the defending Robertson Cup champions, their first "W" at the Chevrolet Centre. The 19-year-old native of Shelby Township, MI, says that it's a thrill to be named Player of the Week.
"It's a big honor to win Player of the Week," says Higby. "It feels pretty cool; it's definitely something new."
Mahoning Valley defenseman Carl Nielsen assisted on Higby's overtime winner; just two weeks earlier, Higby assisted a Nielsen shorthanded goal against Traverse City. Higby says that he works well with the Lorain, OH, native.
"Every time we're out there, it seems we're getting good chances," says the forward, who is tied for third on the team with 10 points, "so hopefully we can keep this up on the penalty kill and get some more points."
Phantoms Head Coach and General Manager Bob Mainhardt says the whole team is excited that Higby took home the league hardware.
"These individual efforts are something we celebrate as an entire team," said Mainhardt. "When you work hard as a team, individuals accomplish more and Erik excelled because of that this weekend."
Higby was joined on the list of weekly honors by teammate Jordan Tibbett, who was named Honorable Mention for the GDI / NAHL Goalie of the Week award after his 43-save weekend against the Bandits. With the two wins, Tibbett improved his record to 8-2-0 on the season.
The Phantoms are back in action on Friday night when they host Team USA at the Chevrolet Centre, with the puck set to drop at 7:15 PM. In two games so far this season, the Phantoms are 1-1-0 against the Nationals.
The game can be heard locally on the broadcast home of the Phantoms, ESPN Radio 1240, WBBW, and worldwide at MVPPhantoms.com via B2 Networks. The pregame show will begin at 7:00 PM.
Season tickets and individual game tickets are on sale now at the Phantom Box Office at the Ice Zone in Boardman. Call (330) 965-7500 for more information.
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North American Hockey League Stories from November 17, 2008
- Overtime work pays off in Marquette - NAHL
- Higby's OT Winner Nets Him Player of the Week Award - Mahoning Valley Phantoms
- Outlaws Fall Back in Division Race - North Iowa Outlaws
- Machine Falter against USA, 5-2 - Motor City Metal Jackets
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