Saad's Hat Trick Powers Phantoms to 9-2 Romp
January 31, 2009 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Mahoning Valley Phantoms News Release
ALPENA, MI - Brandon Saad recorded the first hat trick of the season for the Mahoning Valley Phantoms as the Phantoms clobbered the reeling Alpena IceDiggers 9-2 on Saturday night, completing a two-game sweep of the IceDiggers.
Saad's three-goal performance included a power play goal, a short-handed goal and the eventual game-winner as the first-place Phantoms kept their two-point lead for first place in the NAHL's North Division.
After the game, Saad said his linemates made it easy for him to light the lamp on Saturday.
"It feels pretty good to get the hat trick," said the Phantoms' leading goal-scorer (19), "our new line with Stefan Salituro and Johnny Meo is working nicely and things came together well tonight."
The Phantoms stormed out to an early 2-0 lead on first period goals from George Saad and Johnny Meo, eventually pushing the lead out to 4-0 in the second on two goals from Brandon Saad, including one power play marker.
The teams would trade goals the rest of the second period and Mahoning Valley held a 5-2 edge after the middle frame.
In the third, the Phantoms fired off four straight goals from Erik Higby, Brandon Saad, Cody Ganchar and Stefan Salituro for the final margin.
Saad's three goals were one of three season-highs for Mahoning Valley, who also notched their highest goal total with nine and their biggest margin of victory at seven. The previous highs in each category were six goals in a game and a five-goal margin.
In the two-game set, the Phantoms out-scored Alpena 15-3. The sweep is Mahoning Valley's third of 2009.
Jordan Tibbett stopped 37 IceDigger shots on the way to improving his record to 17-5-1 on the season.
With the win, Mahoning Valley (26-10-3, 55 pts) maintained a two-point edge over Traverse City (24-9-5, 53 pts) for first place in the North Division. The North Stars rallied for a 2-1 win over the Motor City Machine on Saturday.
The Phantoms will open a three-game series against the North Stars on Friday at the Ice Zone in Boardman. Friday's contest is scheduled for a 7:15 PM start.
The game will be broadcast locally on ESPN Radio 1240, WBBW-AM. The pregame show will begin at 7:00 PM.
Phantoms 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.
The Mahoning Valley Phantoms are owned by the B.J. Alan Company - Phantom Fireworks, located in Youngstown, Ohio.
North American Hockey League Stories from January 31, 2009
- Saad's Hat Trick Powers Phantoms to 9-2 Romp - Mahoning Valley Phantoms
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- U.S. Nat'l U17 Team Drops Marquette, 4-3 - U.S. National Team
- U.S. National Under-18 Team Edged by Geneseo, 3-2 - U.S. National Team
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