Phantoms Split Defensive Weekend with Team USA
December 13, 2008 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Mahoning Valley Phantoms News Release
ANN ARBOR, MI - The Mahoning Valley Phantoms defense had another strong outing Saturday night against Team USA but the offense came up short as the Nationals held off the Phantoms 2-1.
Goaltender Garrett Bartus made 28 saves in the loss, dropping him to 3-4-2 on the 2008-2009 campaign. Veteran Phantoms defenseman John Houston praised Bartus' effort despite the loss.
"Garrett stepped up and played really well," said Houston, "he was there with big saves when we needed him. It's tough because he deserved a win tonight but we couldn't pick him up."
After a scoreless first period, Team USA broke through for two goals in the second period. Luke Moffatt opened the scoring when he poked a rebound beneath Bartus 4:45 into the second period.
The eventual game-winner came when USA forward Chase Balisy snuck behind the Mahoning Valley defense for a breakaway while on the penalty kill. He deked to the left and beat Bartus stick side for the Nationals' second goal of the period.
The Phantoms briefly tied the game on Erik Higby's 7th goal of the season. Higby lifted a Brandon Saad rebound past Nationals goalie Will Yanakeff and knotted the affair at 1-1.
Yanakeff also made 28 saves and improved to 5-4-1 on the season with the win.
The loss dropped the Phantoms (16-6-2, 34 pts) back into second place in the North Division, one point behind the Traverse City North Stars (15-5-5, 35 pts) who lost 4-3 in a shootout to Alpena on Saturday. The surging Marquette Rangers (14-13-4, 32 pts) pulled to within two points of the Phantoms with a 4-3 win at Motor City.
The Phantoms return to action Friday night when they host the Rangers at the Chevrolet Centre. The game is scheduled for a 7:15 PM puck drop downtown.
The contest will be broadcast locally on ESPN Radio 1240, WBBW, and worldwide at MVPPhantoms.com via B2 Networks. The pregame show will begin at 7:00 PM.
Phantoms season tickets and individual tickets are now on sale at the Phantom Box Office at the Ice Zone in Boardman. 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.
North American Hockey League Stories from December 13, 2008
- Déjà vu: TC falls in fifth - Traverse City North Stars
- Machine Fall 4-3 - Motor City Metal Jackets
- U.S. Nat'l U18 Team Falls to NMU, 6-2 - U.S. National Team
- Bussell Scores a Pair but Kissaw too much again, 4-3 - Motor City Metal Jackets
- Phantoms Split Defensive Weekend with Team USA - Mahoning Valley Phantoms
- U.S. Nat'l U17 Team Downs Mahoning Valley, 2-1 - U.S. National Team
- Marquette's Kissaw Turns Aside Machine, 4-1 - Motor City Metal Jackets
- Motor City Shut Out by Alpena, 1-0 - Motor City Metal Jackets
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