Phantoms Secure Home Ice with 6-2 Romp
Published on March 26, 2009 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Mahoning Valley Phantoms News Release
YOUNGSTOWN, OH (Thursday, March 26th, 2009) - The first-place Mahoning Valley Phantoms became the first team in the NAHL's North Division to lock down home ice advantage in the first round of next week's playoffs courtesy of a 6-2 drubbing of the Alpena IceDiggers on Thursday.
The win helped the Phantoms (36-16-5, 77 pts) close out the third-place Traverse City North Stars (33-17-6, 72 pts), assuring them one of the two top spots in the division. It also extended Mahoning Valley's division lead to four points over red-hot Team USA (34-16-5, 73 pts).
"Getting home ice is big for us in the playoffs," said Erik Higby, who finished Thursday with two assists. "We don't know who we're going to be playing yet, but it's huge."
The Phantoms hit the ground running against the IceDiggers as George Saad took a 2-on-0 centering feed from Higby and wired a one-time shot past Alpena goalie Nick Graves for a 1-0 lead just 2:24 into the game.
Nick Shkreli followed three and a half minutes later when he deked his way past the Alpena defense and then Graves, sliding in his 12th goal of the year-a shorthanded tally-for a 2-0 lead with 13:49 left in the first.
Defenseman Carl Nielsen capped the early Phantoms rally 43 seconds later on the power play when he deflected a Robert Harrison shot home for a commanding 3-0 lead just 6:54 into the opening frame.
The two sides would stay deadlocked for the next 26-plus minutes before Mahoning Valley defenseman picked up his own rebound in front of Graves and batted into the net with 7:02 left in the second period to put the Phantoms up 4-0.
Nielsen would strike again late in the second, one-timing a power play snap shot past Graves for a 5-0 Phantoms edge heading into the second intermission.
"I got lucky tonight," admitted Nielsen, "getting put out there as a forward on the power play-which is actually where I started the season. I got a great pass from Stefan Salituro [on the second goal] and Harrison gave me a perfect shot to tip out there."
In the third, the Phantoms endured a short rally from the IceDiggers, who got goals from Jon Puskar and Sam Cheraso to cut the lead to 5-2 with 11:56 remaining.
Mahoning Valley team captain Johnny Meo curtailed the Alpena comeback when he slammed home a Dave Chaney rebound to give the Phantoms the final 6-2 margin.
Jordan Tibbett made 28 saves and improved his 2008-2009 record to 24-8-2, placing him second all-time on the team's list for wins in a season behind Ryan Zapolski's 42 in '06-'07.
Graves fell to 22-19-5 with the loss.
While the Phantoms' first-round opponent is far from set, the team now knows that it will open the 2009 postseason at the Chevrolet Centre on Friday, April 3rd, at 7:15 PM. Game two will be on Sunday, April 5th, with a start time yet to be determined.
The Phantoms will close out the 2008-2009 regular season with a 7:15 PM Friday contest against the IceDiggers at the Ice Zone in Boardman. Before puck drop, the team will honor all of their host families who billeted players during the season.
The game will be broadcast locally on ESPN Radio 1240, WBBW-AM, with a 7:00 PM pregame show.
The contest is part of the Phantoms' Fan Appreciation Week, and all tickets at the Ice Zone will be sold on a "Buy One-Get One Free" basis while all Phantoms apparel will be sold for 40% off at the Ice Zone's pro shop.
Phantoms playoff tickets are now on sale. For more information or to reserve your first round postseason seats, contact the Phantom Box Office at (330) 965-7500.
The Mahoning Valley Phantoms are owned by the B.J. Alan Company - Phantom Fireworks, located in Youngstown, Ohio.
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- Phantoms Secure Home Ice with 6-2 Romp - Mahoning Valley Phantoms
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