Phantoms Adjusting to New Home
November 19, 2008 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Mahoning Valley Phantoms News Release
YOUNGSTOWN, OH (Wednesday, November 19th, 2008) - With their first weekend at the Chevrolet Centre in the rearview mirror, the Mahoning Valley Phantoms now have a little time to reflect on their new home.
So far, the players are loving their new digs on Front Street. Phantoms assistant captain Robert Harrison says he was blown away by playing in the 5,500 seat arena.
"It really gave us the feel of playing in the NHL," says the third-year defenseman. "From all the fans in the stands, to the video boards to the locker rooms, it felt like we were in the pros. It was really overwhelming."
Fellow third-year Phantom Johnny Meo says the Centre's best feature is the bigger crowd.
"You look all around you," says the Phantoms' captain, "and there are fans. Usually you only see fans on one side. Now we have big crowds all around us and it really fires us up."
Other Phantoms enjoyed the in-arena experience.
"The video boards were really cool," said forward Nick Kenney. "I liked being able to look up during a whistle and see the replay of the last play."
"I really liked the clips they'd play during the timeouts," added defenseman Kyle Van.
The Phantoms will be getting even more familiar with the Chevrolet Centre, as three of their next five games will be at the downtown arena.
Divisional Standings Tighten
The Phantoms entered last weekend trailing the first-place Traverse City North Stars by six points in the North Division standings, but the Phantoms' sweep combined with two North Stars overtime losses at Marquette have pulled Mahoning Valley (11-4-2, 24 pts) to within four points of the front running North Stars (13-3-2, 28 pts).
Team USA (10-6-1, 21 pts) did their best to keep pace, winning their lone game over Motor City 5-2 to stay within three points of the second-place Phantoms.
Marquette's sweep helped the Rangers (8-10-3, 19 pts) leap-frog idle Alpena (7-6-2, 16 pts) for fourth place. Right now only nine points separate first and fourth place in the North.
The tightening of the divisional race puts a big spotlight on the Phantoms' home-and-home series with Team USA this weekend.
With Traverse City idle this weekend, two wins for the Phantoms would vault them into a first place tie with the North Stars. On the other side of the coin, the Nationals could pass the Phantoms in the standings with two wins.
The Phantoms host the front end of the home-and-home, taking on Team USA at 7:15 at the Chevrolet Centre. It will be Puck Night, sponsored by the Better Business Bureau, and Dollar Beer Night for the Phantoms' third game at the Centre.
The series finishes up on Saturday afternoon in Ann Arbor, MI, as the Nationals welcome the Phantoms to the Ann Arbor Ice Cube at 3:00 PM.
Both games will be broadcast locally on ESPN Radio 1240, WBBW, and worldwide at MVPPhantoms.com via B2 Networks. The pregame show will begin at 7:00 PM on Friday and 2:45 PM on Saturday.
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.
North American Hockey League Stories from November 19, 2008
- National Team Development Program Weekly Update - U.S. National Team
- Phantoms Adjusting to New Home - Mahoning Valley Phantoms
- Wildcats Drop Two To Topeka - Wichita Falls Wildcats
- NAHL Commissioner to Attend Friday's Home Game - North Iowa Outlaws
- NAHL Honors Ranger's Sullivan - Marquette Rangers
- Rangers Off To Ann Arbor - Marquette Rangers
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