Phantoms visit first-place Alpena
Published on October 26, 2006 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Mahoning Valley Phantoms News Release
BOARDMAN, Ohio - The Mahoning Phantoms and the Alpena Ice Diggers meet for the first time this weekend at Northern Lights Arena in Alpena, Mich. Friday and Saturday's games begin at 7 p.m., and both will be webcast on www.mvpphantoms.com.
The Phantoms, 7-7-1, have had the better of the Ice Diggers, recently, winning 11 of their 12 match-ups last season and finishing 10-2-1 against them in the 2004-2005 season when they were the Toledo Ice Diggers.
Phantoms Coach Bob Mainhardt said, "We've had Alpena's number the last couple of years, but they always done a strong job and we have played a lot of tight games with them."
"I'm expecting the same competitive situation this year," he said.
Right wingers Chris Fairbanks and Matt Quigley are currently tied for 12th in NAHL scoring with 15 points each. Quigley is also tied for second in the league with 10 goals. Last season, both Fairbanks and left wing Brent Dexter recorded eight points against Alpena.
The Ice Diggers, 10-3-0, return 13 players from last year's team, led by forwards Nolan Craner and Todd Rudasill, who currently sit at the top of the North American Hockey League scoring leaders. Craner leads with 27 points (10 goals and 17 assists) while Rudasill has 25 points (10 goals and 15 assists.)
Linemate Drew Pierson is tied for seventh in scoring with 17 points. Combined, the trio has 18 power play goals between them, launching Alpena to the top power play ranking in the NAHL at 21.37 percent.
The Phantoms enter this weekend with the league's sixth best power play at 15.25 percent. Mainhardt said the Phantoms plan to shut down Alpena's power play by minimizing power play opportunities.
"Across the league this year, it's been an ongoing theme with winning and losing games based on special teams," he said. "We've got to continue to get better with the penalty killing and power play."
During this weekend's play, Phantom defenseman Adam Snead will be playing against his former team. Snead was a member of the Ice Diggers for the 2004-2005 season and part of the 2005-2006 season.
"Adam does things that are hard to teach. He is a veteran defenseman that knows his craft and is very good at it," Mainhardt said. "Adam has been outstanding for us on the power play, moving the puck up ice and gives us a toughness edge as well that's very important."
Snead is ranked eighth among all defensemen in scoring with nine points on a goal and eight assists. One of Adam's goals is to make the jump to collegiate hockey. Snead feels he can eventually play at the next level as he continues to work on his game this season.
"I think I have leadership skills, I play solid defense, and I'm becoming a power play specialist," Snead said.
Mainhardt also sees a bright future for his defenseman. "We're trying to sharpen his skill set and get him ready for Division 1 college hockey," he said. "There's no doubt in my mind that he will be playing at the next level."
Next week, the Phantoms return to the Ice Zone in Boardman, Ohio, for the team's home opener against the Traverse City North Stars on Friday, Nov. 3rd at 7 p.m.. Tickets are now on sale at the Ice Zone; located at 360 McClurg Rd. Fans can also call (330) 965-7500 for more information.
The Mahoning Valley Phantoms are owned by the B.J. Alan Company- Phantom Fireworks which is headquartered in Youngstown, Ohio.
North American Hockey League Stories from October 26, 2006
- Phantoms visit first-place Alpena - Mahoning Valley Phantoms
- IceDiggers host Phantoms Friday and Saturday - Alpena IceDiggers
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