Phantoms Prepare for Showdown around Holiday
November 26, 2008 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Mahoning Valley Phantoms News Release
YOUNGSTOWN, OH (Wednesday, November 26th, 2008) - With first place on the line in their Friday matchup against the Traverse City North Stars, the Mahoning Valley Phantoms will only take a short break for Thanksgiving while preparing for their showdown at the Chevrolet Centre.
The players will spend the morning and afternoon hours celebrating the holiday with their host families before getting back to work. Phantoms Head Coach and General Manager Bob Mainhardt says that despite the players being so far from home, it will be a largely normal Thanksgiving for the Phantoms.
"They've all become an extended part of their housing families," says Mainhardt, "so they'll be having dinner with them. Some players also have family coming in from out of town. After that, we're going to have a nice little practice on Thanksgiving, too; just to keep them honest."
The Phantoms are 1-1-1 in three games against the North Stars, losing 1-0 in regulation, winning 6-2 and then dropping a 5-4 overtime decision in a three-game series earlier this month in Traverse City.
The game will be the second of nine games at this weekend's NAHL North Division Showcase, hosted Friday, Saturday and Sunday by the Phantoms at both the Chevrolet Centre and Ice Zone.
The Showcase features six top NAHL teams, including the Phantoms (13-4-2), the North Stars (13-3-2), the St. Louis Bandits (16-6-2), the Alpena IceDiggers (9-7-2), the Marquette Rangers (9-10-4) and the Motor City Machine (4-15-0).
Mainhardt says the Showcase is a big event for the division as it creates enhanced exposure for the players to collegiate and professional scouts.
"This kind of event is what we're all about at this level," says Mainhardt, "preparing these young men for the next level. And now, the scouts will be able to come out and see all of these players just two months after our league Showcase in Blaine, Minnesota. The timing couldn't be better.
Friday's contest will also be the centerpiece of a rally for the American automotive industry, kicking off Youngstown's "Rev Up America" campaign to show support for the industry and to help dispel misinformation about auto sales in the Valley. Included in those attending are local auto workers, car dealers, bankers and political figures, all of whom are invested in the success of the local auto industry.
With the team expecting a near-sellout crowd for the event, Mainhardt says that there's a great feeling for Friday's game throughout the organization.
"It's an exciting time," says the sixth-year Phantoms head coach. "It's great to work for a business and an owner like Bruce Zoldan that cares about his community. The campaign is good for America and it's very patriotic. The team is very proud to be a part of it.
"And to be able to turn a whole new crowd of people on to our brand of hockey is also very exciting," he adds.
The contest is slated for a 7:15 PM start with the Rev Up America rally starting at 6:45 PM. The game will be broadcast locally on ESPN Radio 1240, WBBW-AM, and worldwide at MVPPhantoms.com via B2 Networks. The pregame show will begin at 7:00 PM.
Phantoms season tickets and individual game tickets are on sale now at the Phantom Box Office at the Ice Zone in Boardman. Call (330) 965-7500 for more information.
North American Hockey League Stories from November 26, 2008
- U.S. National U17 Team Upends Motor City, 7-2 - U.S. National Team
- Phantoms Prepare for Showdown around Holiday - Mahoning Valley Phantoms
- Machine Reading to Achieve 10,000 Books in local schools - Motor City Metal Jackets
- National Team Development Program Weekly Update - U.S. National Team
- Former Jr. Blue Darren Rowe On USA Championship Team - Springfield Jr. Blues
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