Phantoms Prepare for Divisional Showdown with Team USA
Published on March 16, 2009 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Mahoning Valley Phantoms News Release
YOUNGSTOWN, OH (Monday, March 16th, 2009) - The Mahoning Valley Phantoms will close out their four-games-in-five-nights homestand on Tuesday when they welcome the US National Team to the Chevrolet Centre for a special St. Patrick's Day tilt.
The matchup, scheduled for a special 6:00 PM start, will feature the top two teams by winning percentage in the North Division squaring off for the inside track on first place in the standings.
The Phantoms (34-14-5, 73 pts) lead the North by nine points but Team USA (30-14-4, 64 pts) has played five fewer games than Mahoning Valley, giving them ten more points in play before the end of the season.
Though tomorrow's game has big divisional implications, Phantoms team captain Johnny Meo stops short of calling the game "must-win."
"We're not going to press or make a big deal out of anything out there [on Tuesday]," says Meo. "But we know points are important down the stretch, so we just want to win the game and show USA they can't come into [the Chevrolet Centre] and take anything from us."
In order to win, the Phantoms will have to bounce back from two losses over the weekend to the visiting Traverse City North Stars, 4-1 and 3-2 on Saturday and Sunday, respectively.
While the stumbles represent only the third string of losing games Mahoning Valley has suffered this season, goaltender Jordan Tibbett says the team knows how to turn momentum back in their favor.
"It always comes back to hard work," says the second-year netminder, "when you're working hard you get the good bounces out there. If we can maintain a hard-working mentality we'll be on top, where we need to be."
Tuesday's contest will be the finale of the season series between the Phantoms and Nationals. Mahoning Valley is 4-5-0 on the year against Team USA; they are 3-2-0 at home in the series.
Brandon Saad leads the Phantoms in scoring with 28 goals and 18 assists; between the pipes, Tibbett is 23-7-2 with a 2.42 goals against average and a .915 save percentage.
On the other side, Matthew Nieto paces the Nationals attack with 11 goals and 22 assists while Will Yanakeff anchors the USA net with an 11-4-2 record, a 2.10 GAA and a .916 SV%.
The Tuesday evening tilt is part of the Phantoms' annual St. Patrick's Day celebration, and will include a live auction of the special edition St. Patrick's Day jerseys the team will be wearing as well as a buy-one-get-one-free offer on beers at the Centre.
Fans can bid right now on the jerseys at MVPPhantoms.com as part of the team's online pre-auction.
Phantom Phan Purple Seats, normally $8.50, are also on sale for $5.00 for Tuesday's contest.
The game will be broadcast locally on ESPN Radio 1240, WBBW-AM, and worldwide at MVPPhantoms.com via B2 Networks. The pre-game show will begin at 5:45 PM.
Phantoms individual game tickets are on sale at the Phantom Box Office at the Ice Zone. Call (330) 965-7500 for more information.
North American Hockey League Stories from March 16, 2009
- One postseason berth still up for grabs - NAHL
- Phantoms Prepare for Divisional Showdown with Team USA - Mahoning Valley Phantoms
- Bandits steal two from Wildcats - Wichita Falls Wildcats
- North Stars sweep NAHL weekly honors - Traverse City North Stars
- Former Outlaws Make NCAA Division III Frozen Four - North Iowa Outlaws
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