Phantoms Will Try to Control Emotions in Rematch
November 13, 2008 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Mahoning Valley Phantoms News Release
YOUNGSTOWN, OH (Thursday, November 13th, 2008) - When the Mahoning Valley Phantoms open their Chevrolet Centre schedule on Friday against the St. Louis Bandits, the thought of the last two Robertson Cup finals will be on the minds of a lot of players.
In those two most recent championship rounds, the Bandits defeated the Phantoms by scores of 8-4 in 2007 and 5-2 in 2008. With the two championship results on the side of St. Louis, one might think the Phantoms will be completely motivated by revenge. Second-year Phantoms defenseman John Houston, however, says that is not the case.
"There are only a handful of guys back on St. Louis from last year," says Houston, who was on the 07-08 runner-up team, "so it's not as personal for us as you might think. Sure, we can't stand St. Louis, but it's a new team and a new staff there. We just want to win two games."
Phantoms Head Coach and General Manager Bob Mainhardt agrees with Houston.
"We definitely need to keep our emotions in check," says Mainhardt. "There have been so many changes with that St. Louis team, the only thing left over from the teams that beat us right now are the jerseys. It's a new team there, so for us it's going to be business as usual."
St. Louis enters the weekend series with a league-best record of 16-2-1 and the top scoring offense in the league as well. Add to that the bulls-eye that every defending champion wears, and Mainhardt says that the pressure is actually on the Bandits.
"They're the team to beat right now," says sixth-year Phantoms coach, "so I think we need to take the approach that we have nothing to lose, keep our emotions in check and focus on the task at hand."
This weekend will be the only trip the Bandits, former members of the North Division, will make to the Valley during the 2008-2009 season.
The Phantoms (9-4-2, 20 pts) enter the weekend six points behind Traverse City (13-3-0, 26 pts) for first place in the North Division while St. Louis (16-2-1, 33 pts) enjoys a nine-point cushion over second-place Topeka (12-3-0, 24 pts) in the NAHL's South Division.
Friday night's Chevrolet Centre opener is set for a 7:15 PM puck drop in downtown Youngstown as the Phantoms square off against the Bandits. The game can be heard locally on ESPN Radio 1240, WBBW-AM, and viewed worldwide at MVPPhantoms.com via B2 Networks. The pregame show begins at 7:00 PM.
Season tickets and individual game tickets are now on sale at the Phantom Box Office at the Ice Zone in Boardman. Call (330) 965-7500 for more information.
• Discuss this story on the North American Hockey League message board...
North American Hockey League Stories from November 13, 2008
- Jr. Blues Host 2nd Place N. Iowa This Weekend - Springfield Jr. Blues
- Phantoms Will Try to Control Emotions in Rematch - Mahoning Valley Phantoms
- NAHL Commissioner to Attend Phantoms Opener - Mahoning Valley Phantoms
- Former Ranger Ikkala off to West Point - Marquette Rangers
- Rangers to Battle North Stars - Marquette Rangers
- Outlaws Looking for Huskies Memorabilia to Celebrate 20th Anniversary - North Iowa Outlaws
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.
