Rangers Invade Chevrolet Centre with First Place on the Line
December 18, 2008 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Mahoning Valley Phantoms News Release
YOUNGSTOWN, OH (Thursday, December 18th, 2008) - Two of the hottest teams in the NAHL's North Division will do battle Friday night with first place hanging in the balance when the Mahoning Valley Phantoms host the Marquette Rangers at the Chevrolet Centre.
The second-place Phantoms (16-6-2, 34 pts) have won seven of their last nine games; the Rangers (14-13-4, 32 pts), meanwhile, have used eight wins in their last twelve games to surge from fifth place all the way to third, only two points behind Mahoning Valley.
Phantoms Head Coach and General Manager Bob Mainhardt credits the Rangers' resurgence to a balanced attack.
"They're a well-rounded team," says Mainhardt, "they've got great defensemen, good goaltending and forwards who can put the puck in the net. They do everything well, plus they're an experienced team with a great coach in Kenny Miller.
"These are going to be tight games, just like almost every other game in our division has been this season."
With the division-leading Traverse City North Stars (15-5-5, 35 pts) sitting idle this weekend, both the Phantoms and the Rangers have a chance to grab first place for themselves.
In their only previous meeting this season, Marquette rode a third-period hat trick from leading goal-scorer Aaron Pietila to a 5-2 win over the Phantoms in the North Division Showcase at the Ice Zone. Marquette goalie Kevin Kissaw finished with 30 saves in the win; Phantoms netminder Garrett Bartus made 37 saves in the loss.
Mainhardt says that the win makes the Rangers even more dangerous this time around.
"Marquette is coming in here with a lot of confidence this weekend," says Mainhardt, "especially after that convincing 5-2 win over us at the Showcase. They're playing some very good hockey right now, so I'm expecting a playoff-type atmosphere at the Chevrolet Centre this weekend."
Chad Pietila's 11 goals and 18 assists lead the Rangers' scoring attack heading into Friday; Kevin Kissaw's 9-5-2 record, 2.60 GAA and .919 save percentage backstop Marquette. The Phantoms are led in scoring by Jordy Trottier (9-8-17); Jordan Tibbett and Garrett Bartus have combined for a 2.54 GAA and .907 save percentage between the pipes for Mahoning Valley.
Friday's game is Toys for Tots night; any fan who brings in a new, unopened and unwrapped toy to the Chevrolet Centre will get $5 off any ticket in the house. Saturday's game will feature a special visit by Santa Claus to the Chevrolet Centre.
The Phantoms and Rangers will drop the puck on their two-game weekend series at the Chevrolet Centre Friday at 7:15 PM.
North American Hockey League Stories from December 18, 2008
- Rangers Invade Chevrolet Centre with First Place on the Line - Mahoning Valley Phantoms
- Outlaws Go For 100 - North Iowa Outlaws
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