Phantoms Lock Down Team USA, Win 2-1
December 12, 2008 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Mahoning Valley Phantoms News Release
ANN ARBOR, MI (Friday, December 12th, 2008) - The Mahoning Valley Phantoms defense locked down the high-flying US National Team for a 2-1 win at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube on Friday night.
Phantoms netminder Jordan Tibbett shut down 37 of Team USA's 38 shots on his way to his 13th win of the season. Tibbett (13-2-0) credited his defense with making his job easy on Friday.
"I got a great look at all the pucks tonight," said Tibbett. "The defense played phenomenally. It's exciting that they were able to come in off the off-week and not miss a beat. I couldn't ask for anything more in net."
The win propelled Mahoning Valley (16-5-2, 34 pts) back into a first place tie with Traverse City (15-5-4, 34 pts) atop the North Division. The Phantoms are one game ahead of the North Stars in the win column.
The Nationals and Phantoms entered the game with the top two scoring offenses but it was the defensive units that controlled the pace of play on Friday. Phantoms Head Coach and General Manager Bob Mainhardt said both teams stepped up defensively.
"Both teams worked really hard on the defensive end and limited opportunities," said Mainhardt, "and when the opportunities did come, both goalies stood up and made great saves."
Jordy Trottier notched his league-leading forth game-winning goal with 3:32 remaining in regulation to seal the Phantoms seventh win in their last eight games. Trottier said his marker was thanks to great efforts on the part of a couple teammates.
"The play started when Carl Nielsen, who's playing with a bum hand, made a great play to keep the zone and he got it down to [Doug] Clifford," said Trottier. "Then âCliff' threw me a perfect saucer pass and I had what felt like a lot of time to make my move. I sucked in [USA goalie Jack Campbell] and beat him high."
Phantoms captain Johnny Meo opened the scoring 11:30 into the second period when he swatted home an Erik Higby rebound. The Nationals tied it 8 minutes later when Stuart Higgins got a second-chance opportunity past a sprawling Tibbett.
Campbell finished with 34 saves in the loss for Team USA.
The Phantoms and Nationals conclude their two-game series Saturday night at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube at 7:00 PM. The game will be broadcast locally on ESPN Radio 1240, WBBW, and worldwide at MVPPhantoms.com via B2 Networks.
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North American Hockey League Stories from December 12, 2008
- Stars Drop Shootout, 5-4 - Traverse City North Stars
- Phantoms Lock Down Team USA, Win 2-1 - Mahoning Valley Phantoms
- Rangers Derail Machine - Marquette Rangers
- U.S. Nat'l U17 Team Falls to Mahoning Valley, 2-1 - U.S. National Team
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