Phantoms Turn the Power Off on the Machine, 2-1

Published on October 7, 2008 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Motor City Metal Jackets News Release


Wyandotte, Mich. - It was another day at the office for the Machine when it comes to making strides as a team in this young season. They once again struggled on the scoring on the end, falling at home for the third straight game.

The game begun with much passion and power for both teams as the Phantoms jumped on the man advantages early and often. Mahoning had an early shot edge but it was the play of Jordan Tibbett who kept this from being a give and go effort from the Machine. Not to mention Zach Hansen was as solid as the ice beneath his skates. It was a scramble out in front of the net for the Phantoms Erik Higby who put the board at 1-0, Mahoning Valley. Higby played it just right it to make his team the leaders after one period of action from Yack Arena. Shots were in favor of the Phantoms, 19-7 which hasn't happened to Machine all season.

Another scoring drought for the Machine started the second and wore off on the Phantoms as we played see-saw hockey until Jake Friedman (Orchird Lake, Mich.) collected a rebound from Tibbett and got his first goal of season with Ben Danford assisting. This 1-1 tie would be short lived as Stefan Salituro scrapped home a lose puck off Hansen making 2-1. Bothe these goals would come late and would prove to be the final score.

The third opened with a slow start from both parties when it came to moving the puck cleanly and effectively. It was would be a perfect 5-on-3 for over 2:30 for the Machine but the Phantoms held strong with Tibbett turning aside the big shots at big times keeping his team on the winning end. A few late game heroics by the Machine couldn't solve Tibbett and the Phantoms who went on to claim a 2-1 victory on the road boasting their record to 4-0-1 while the Machine fall to 3-4-0 on the early stages of the regular season.

The game ended with the Machine being outshot for the first time this season including pre-season play. Meanwhile, the Phantoms put the puck where it needed to be at just the right time to escape with a hard fought 2-1 win on the road to open divisional play.

The Motor City Machine is in their first season in Michigan as members of the North American Hockey League. The Motor City Machine are formerly the Southern MN Express in which they made the playoffs three straight years and twice into the Robertson Cup finals. The NAHL is the nation's largest Junior A hockey league and is now in its 33rd year of operation. For more information, visit machinehockey.com or call (734) 642-0544.

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North American Hockey League Stories from October 7, 2008


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