Phantoms Rally, Improve to 2-0 at Robertson Cup
April 29, 2009 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Mahoning Valley Phantoms News Release
MASON CITY, IA (Wednesday, April 29th, 2009) - The Mahoning Valley Phantoms rebounded from an early deficit to prevail 2-1 over the host North Iowa Outlaws in Game Two of the Robertson Cup Tournament Wednesday.
Jordan Tibbett made 36 saves as the Phantoms became the first team with two wins in the five-day round robin preliminary round.
The hometown Outlaws took an early lead on the power play when it appeared that North Iowa's leading playoff scorer, Brandon Brodhag, kicked a puck past Phantoms netminder to put the hosts ahead 1-0 with 7:02 remaining in the first period.
Mahoning Valley responded just two minutes later, though, when captain Johnny Meo took a centering feed from Stefan Salituro and slid it through the five-hole of North Iowa goalie Keegan Asmundson to tie the game at one with 4:57 left in the opening stanza.
"It was good to get that goal so fast after they scored," said Meo, the Phantoms' second-leading playoff scorer. "It really took all their momentum away and we were able to settle in defensively after that."
After a 1-1 first period with only three combined power plays, the two sides combined to take ten total penalties in the middle frame, including eight total power plays-all of which were killed off.
The Phantoms scored the lone goal of the period off a 4-on-4 faceoff in the North Iowa zone when Erik Higby won the draw to himself and sent a low shot under Asmundson for a 2-1 Phantoms lead 12:15 into the second.
"Erik has a knack for scoring big goals," said Phantoms Head Coach and General Manager Bob Mainhardt, "and none bigger than the one he got [Wednesday]. He's a tremendous two-way player and he's been great for us in the playoffs."
Tibbett stole the show the rest of the way, turning aside 14 Outlaw shots in the third period, including a huge save on North Iowa forward Joe Harcharik's point-blank 2-on-1 chance mid-way through the final frame.
"I saw [lead forward Brodhag] looking for the pass on that 2-on-1," said Tibbett, "so I was able to get an early start on getting over and got some luck to make that stop and keep us ahead."
The Outlaws tried to gain the equalizer by pulling Asmundson in the final two minutes of the third, but a late checking-from-behind minor on North Iowa's Matt Leer ended the home team's comeback bid.
Asmundson made 25 saves but saw his Robertson Cup record drop to 0-2 with the loss.
The win gives the Phantoms (2-0, 4 pts) sole possession of first place in the round robin standings ahead of St. Louis (1-0, 2 pts) and Wenatchee (1-1, 2 pts). The Bandits whitewashed the Wild 6-0 in Wednesday's afternoon contest.
The two teams with the best round robin records will advance to Sunday's Robertson Cup Finals, representing USA Hockey's Tier II Junior A National Championship.
Mahoning Valley continues round robin play on Thursday with a 4:00 PM start at North Iowa Ice Arena against the West Division champion Wild.
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 3:45 PM
All Phantoms merchandise is on sale for 40% off at the Phantoms Team Shop at both the Chevrolet Centre and the Ice Zone while the Phantoms are in the playoffs. Call (330) 965-7500 for more information.
The Mahoning Valley Phantoms are owned by the B.J. Alan Company - Phantom Fireworks, located in Youngstown, Ohio.
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North American Hockey League Stories from April 29, 2009
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