Phantoms Start the Stretch Run with Two at Motor City
February 26, 2009 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Mahoning Valley Phantoms News Release
WYANDOTTE, MI (Thursday, February 26th, 2009) - The Mahoning Valley Phantoms kick off their final ten games of the regular season on Friday as they travel to Detroit to open a two-game series with the Motor City Machine.
Through 48 games Mahoning Valley has compiled a 31-12-5 record, good for first place in the NAHL's North Division with 67 points in the standings ahead of the Traverse City North Stars (27-12-6, 60 pts).
The Phantoms will be looking to avenge their 3-2 shootout loss suffered to the Machine last Friday on the night of Kelly Pavlik's hydration weigh-in at the Chevrolet Centre in front of over 2,600 fans.
Mahoning Valley defenseman Cullen Lundholm says that for the Phantoms to exact some revenge, the "D" needs to simplify the game plan.
"We really need to just focus on the defensive zone," says the Phantoms' top-scoring defenseman (4-20-24). "We have to stop trying to jump into the play up the ice and just take care of our own end this weekend."
To repay the loss, the Phantoms will have to take out a suddenly red-hot Motor City side that has won four of its last six games, including a sweep of Traverse City before wins over the Phantoms and Alpena.
In last weekend's series, the Phantoms went 1-0-1 against Motor City, dropping the Machine 3-1 on Thursday before Friday's 3-2 shootout loss.
Thursday's loss eliminated the Machine from the North Division's playoff picture, but they haven't lost since, following Friday's win with a 5-4 triumph over Alpena to cap the 2-1-0 weekend for Motor City.
The Phantoms will try and regroup from a two-game losing streak on Friday; Mahoning Valley also fell 5-3 at home to Team USA on Tuesday morning at the Chevrolet Centre.
Phantom forward Jordy Trottier says that despite the skid, spirits are still high in the Mahoning Valley locker room.
"We're not too worried out there," says Trottier, "we just caught some bad bounces over the last couple games. We just need to get back to our game plan of working hard and having some fun out there."
The two-game set will wrap up the season series between the Phantoms and their most local division rival; the Phantoms are currently 9-1-1 against the Machine.
In 11 matchups with the Machine, Nick Shkreli has tallied 11 points, scoring two goals with nine assists; Brandon Saad has 10 points on seven goals and three assists. Jordan Tibbett and Garrett Bartus have combined for a 2.36 GAA and a .906 SV% in net versus Motor City.
Ryan Misiak continues to lead the Machine against the Phantoms, dropping in three goals and six assists in ten games between the two teams; Joe Moore is 1-2-0 in net when going up against the Phantoms with a 3.57 GAA and a .874 SV%.
Both Friday and Saturday night's games begin at 7:10 PM at Yack Arena.
The games will be broadcast locally on ESPN Radio 1240, WBBW-AM, and worldwide at MVPPhantoms.com via B2 Networks. The pregame show will begin at 6:55 PM both nights.
North American Hockey League Stories from February 26, 2009
- Stars stung, 5-0 - Traverse City North Stars
- Bismarck Bobcats vs. Albert Lea Thunder Gameday Report - Bismarck Bobcats
- Former Outlaws Lead Team USA at World Tournament - North Iowa Outlaws
- Phantoms Start the Stretch Run with Two at Motor City - Mahoning Valley Phantoms
- USA Hockey's National Team Development Program to join USHL - U.S. National Team
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