Phantoms Stifle North Stars 4-1 in Series Opener
Published on February 6, 2009 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Mahoning Valley Phantoms News Release
BOARDMAN, OH (Friday, February 6th, 2009) - The Mahoning Valley Phantoms grabbed an early lead and never looked back, picking up a 4-1 win over the Traverse City North Stars at the Ice Zone in Boardman in the opener of their huge three-game series Friday.
The victory gives the first-place Phantoms (27-10-3, 57 pts) a little breathing room in the North Division standings over the second-place North Stars (24-10-5, 53 pts).
Jordan Tibbett stood tall in net, turning aside 25 North Star shots and improving his career-best record to 18-5-1 on the season.
Tibbett said the win was a result of a team-wide commitment to defense over the last couple weeks.
"We kind of got away from the defensive end for awhile, causing some games to be a bit too close," said the 2009 Top Prospects selection, "but lately we've been really bearing down on âD.' The defenseman were great tonight and I thought the forwards did an especially good job in our zone."
Mahoning Valley grabbed a 2-0 lead in the first 10 minutes on a power play goal from Alex Lippincott and an even strength tally from George Saad. That lead stood up through the first intermission.
The North Stars lone goal came just 57 seconds into the second period when forward Eric McClintock stole the puck during a Phantoms power play and deked out Tibbett while being hooked for a shorthanded marker.
Mahoning Valley would answer later in the second when Cullen Lundholm fired a power play slap shot that was initially stopped by North Stars netminder C.J. Motte. Motte, however, was unable to control the rebound as the puck rolled over his right shoulder onto the goal line where Stefan Salituro slapped it home for his 11th goal of the year.
The Phantoms finished 2-for-8 on the power play.
Mahoning Valley then smothered the North Stars defensively in the third period, allowing only four shots over the last 20 minutes.
Lippincott capped the Phantoms' offensive night with an empty-net goal with 29 seconds left in the third.
The Akron native credited a new line for his two-goal game, his second since last Friday.
"I was on a line [Friday] with Doug Clifford and our new guy, Josh Bussell," said Lippincott, "and we really dialed up a good combination."
Motte finished the night with 37 saves, his record against the Phantoms dropping to 1-2-0 on the year.
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Nick Eason, fresh off last Sunday's 27-23 Super Bowl victory, dropped puck for the ceremonial opening face-off Friday. Eason had high praise for the Valley's hockey team.
"This is actually the first hockey event I've ever attended, and I've got to say I'm impressed," said Eason. "Hockey is a hard, physical sport and these guys work so hard out there.
"I think I'm going to have to start checking out a few more hockey games now."
The Phantoms and North Stars continue their three-game showdown for first place on Saturday at 7:15 PM at the Ice Zone in Boardman.
The game will be broadcast locally on ESPN Radio 1240, WBBW-AM, and worldwide at WBBW.com (audio only).
Phantoms individual game tickets are on sale at the Phantom Box Office at the Ice Zone. 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 February 6, 2009
- Phantoms flatten Stars - Traverse City North Stars
- Phantoms Stifle North Stars 4-1 in Series Opener - Mahoning Valley Phantoms
- U.S. National Under-18 Team Skates Past Czech Republic, 7-3 - U.S. National Team
- U.S. National Under-17 Team Falls to Switzerland, 6-5, in Shootout - U.S. National Team
- Love is in the Air with North Iowa Outlaws - North Iowa Outlaws
- Bobcats Host Express Friday Night - Bismarck Bobcats
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
