Phantoms Host IceDiggers, Look to Retain First Place
Published on December 27, 2008 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Mahoning Valley Phantoms News Release
YOUNGSTOWN, OH - The Mahoning Valley Phantoms will close out their 2008 schedule at home with a two-game set against the Alpena IceDiggers at the Chevrolet Centre Sunday and Monday nights.
For the first time this year, the Phantoms (17-7-2, 36 pts) enter a weekend in sole possession of first place in the NAHL North Division standings, but they'll have to hold off a red-hot Alpena (16-9-2, 34 pts) squad in order to maintain their standing atop the league's most competitive division.
The IceDiggers enter the Chevrolet Centre on a four-game winning streak and have won 14 of their last 17 games overall.
Phantoms Head Coach and General Manager Bob Mainhardt credits Alpena's recent hot streak to good coaching and personnel moves on the part of the IceDiggers.
"[IceDiggers Head Coach] Jack Fritsche has been able to get the guys in there that he's needed to be successful," says Mainhardt, "and now they're buying in and they're doing a good job. One of those guys is [goaltender] Nick Graves, who has come in for them and been tremendous in net."
In their only two meetings so far this season, the Phantoms and IceDiggers traded 4-3 victories at Northern Lights Arena in Alpena, MI, in mid-October. Doug Clifford was named North Division Player of the Week for his efforts in the series, scoring three goals including an overtime winner in the Friday matchup.
Alpena's 4-3 Saturday win in the series was the Phantoms' first regulation loss of the season.
The Phantoms re-take the ice for the two-game set after getting a few days off for the holiday break. Mainhardt says the time off was important to help players nurse injuries and get ready for Alpena.
"We're healthier than we were this time last week," says Mainhardt, "so everything is moving in the right direction for us. We're looking forward to a couple good games this week."
The IceDiggers are led in net by Graves, who has posted a 13-5-1 record with a 2.19 GAA and a .922 SV% since rejoining the team on October 17th. Up front, Erik Peterson leads the Alpena charge, having scored 12 goals and 13 assists in 24 games heading into this weekend.
The Phantoms are backstopped by the goalie tandem of Jordan Tibbett (13-3-0) and Garrett Bartus (4-4-2) who have combined for a 2.62 GAA and a .904 SV%. The Phantoms are led in scoring by Jordy Trottier's 10 goals and 10 assists.
Brandon Saad, the Phantoms' second-leading scorer, will not be with the team for either game; he will be playing for Team USA at the 2009 World Under-17 Challenge in Vancouver, BC, until next Sunday.
Both Sunday and Monday nights' games are scheduled begin at 7:15 PM at the Chevrolet Centre.
The 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 both nights.
Phantoms season tickets and individual tickets are now on sale at the Phantom Box Office at the Ice Zone in Boardman. Call (330) 965-7500 for more information.
North American Hockey League Stories from December 27, 2008
- Phantoms Host IceDiggers, Look to Retain First Place - Mahoning Valley Phantoms
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