Phantoms Head to NAHL Showcase Tournament
Published on October 19, 2004 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Mahoning Valley Phantoms News Release
Boardman, Ohio (Tuesday, October 19, 2004) -- The Youngstown Phantoms Junior-A hockey club hasn't played a game since October 9, but will return to the ice in a big way at the NAHL Showcase Tournament in Minneapolis this week. There, the Phantoms will play four games in four days with action getting underway on Wednesday, October 20. The Eastern Junior Hockey League will also participate in the 30-team tournament, but all of the games for every team will count in their respective league's standings. Youngstown's schedule is:
Wed., October 20 Youngstown Phantoms vs. Fairbanks Ice Dogs (NAHL) 9:30 a.m.
Thurs., October 21 Youngstown Phantoms vs. Bay State Breakers (EJHL) 8:00 p.m.
Fri., October 22 Youngstown Phantoms vs. Walpole Junior Stars (EJHL) 1:30 p.m.
Sat., October 23 Youngstown Phantoms vs. Texarkana Bandits (NAHL) 12:00 Noon
The Phantoms (3-3-0) have won three of their past four games and will take a modest two-game winning streak into the NAHL Showcase Tournament, having notched consecutive victories over the Soo Indians and Toledo Ice Diggers. "Hopefully, we'll pick up where we left off," Phantoms' Head Coach & General Manager Bob Mainhardt said. "We really started to come together as a team the past couple games, and we're going to play to win up in Minnesota. It's a showcase tournament and at the end of the day, the colleges want winners. If we can go there and win four games, that will speak volumes and help our guys."
During the preseason, Youngstown defeated three teams from the Eastern Junior Hockey League -- the Boston Junior Bruins, New England Junior Huskies and New Hampshire Junior Monarchs -- in the same weekend, and two of those victories were shutouts. "Traditionally, the EJHL is a little bit younger and not quite as physical," Coach Mainhardt said. "I feel that we should dominate that league and really show that we're the better league. In a tournament like this, you need to have confidence in your own ability and make the other team play your game. Guys can go out there and play the game, and hopefully let our talent take over. And that's what the scouts are there to see is the talent."
Miscellaneous Notes: Four Phantoms will miss playing time at the NAHL Showcase Tournament in Minneapolis because of suspensions that were handed down by the league office. Marc Menzione, Kyle Laughlin and Warren Byrne will miss Wednesday's game vs. Fairbanks for their roles in a brawl that broke out in the third period of Youngstown's 7-1 victory at Toledo on October 9. In addition, Billy Glynn received a two-game suspension in the aftermath of the same altercation and will be sidelined for the first two games of the tournament. "We're almost 100 percent healthy now, but at this level, you do have injuries and you do have suspensions from time to time, so it's good that we have the depth that we have," Coach Mainhardt said...Aaron Rhyner leads the Phantoms with six goals and has scored at least one goal in five of the team's six games...The Phantoms got goals from seven different players in the 7-1 triumph over Toledo...Coach Mainhardt will also attend the NAHL Board of Governors meetings during his stay in Minnesota. There, the league's membership will discuss a number of important topics, including this season's playoff format.
North American Hockey League Stories from October 19, 2004
- Phantoms Head to NAHL Showcase Tournament - Mahoning Valley Phantoms
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