Phantoms Head North for Divisional Clash
October 30, 2008 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Mahoning Valley Phantoms News Release
TRAVERSE CITY, MI (Thursday, October 30th, 2008) - The Mahoning Valley Phantoms are back on the road this weekend as they get set to open a three-game series with the red-hot Traverse City North Stars in northwest Michigan.
Traverse City (11-2-0, 22 pts) enters the weekend with a franchise-best eight-game winning streak, the second-longest streak by any team in the NAHL behind St. Louis' current 14-game tear. The streak has posted the North Stars to a seven point lead in the North Division standings over the second-place Phantoms (7-2-1, 15 pts).
Phantoms Head Coach and General Manager Bob Mainhardt knows that his players will need to bring their "A" game against the first-place North Stars.
"Traverse City is always a hard working, physical team," says Mainhardt. "We need to be very disciplined and play excellent team defense to match Traverse City's intensity and give ourselves a shot against them in their home arena.
"They have had a tremendous start and will continue to be one of the top teams in our league."
The series, pitting the top two teams in the North Division against one another, will also feature top-notch special teams play. The Phantoms enter the weekend with the league's top penalty kill, sporting a 91.6% efficiency rating while Traverse City's penalty kill is third in the NAHL with a 90.7% rating. The North Stars are also third in power play efficiency, converting 21.3% of their man advantages; the Phantoms are rated fifth in the league, scoring on 18.1% of their power plays.
Kyle Bonis leads the North Stars in scoring with 7 goals and 4 assists. C.J. Motte and Brandon Stephenson share goaltending duties, combining for a 2.05 goals against average and a save percentage of 91.5%. Cullen Lundholm is the Phantoms' top scorer with one goal and 8 assists; Mahoning Valley's goalie tandem of Jordan Tibbett and Garrett Bartus has teamed up for a 2.70 GAA and a 90.5% save percentage.
With both teams so even statistically, Mainhardt says that the weekend will likely hinge on depth.
"This weekend will show how deep both teams are at this point of the season," explains the sixth-year Phantoms Head Coach, "it will be a great test for both squads. It will take all 20 players each night to come out on top."
Friday and Saturday's games start at 7:05 PM while Sunday's game begins at 12:35 PM from Centre ICE Arena in Traverse City. All three games will be broadcast live on MVPPhantoms.com via the B2 Networks, with the pregame beginning 10 minutes before each game.
Season tickets and individual game tickets are now on sale at the Phantom Box Office at the Ice Zone in Boardman. Call (330) 965-7500 for more information. The Phantoms will be holding a Meet the Team event at the Chevrolet Centre from 11:00 AM until 6:00 PM on Monday, November 10th.
North American Hockey League Stories from October 30, 2008
- Phantoms Head North for Divisional Clash - Mahoning Valley Phantoms
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