Special Teams Key As Phantoms Oust Outlaws 4-1
Published on September 18, 2008 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Mahoning Valley Phantoms News Release
BLAINE, MN (Thursday, September 18th, 2008) - The Mahoning Valley Phantoms got three special teams goals on their way to a 4-1 win over the North Iowa Outlaws Thursday night.
With the game tied 1-1 after just four minutes of play, the Phantoms filled the scoresheet on the power play, notching goals from Jordy Trottier and Brandon Saad on the man-advantage over the course of the next ten minutes.
"It's a good sign, no doubt about it," said Phantoms head coach and general manager Bob Mainhardt, "we may even be a little ahead of schedule in terms of where we want to be this year. We executed very well and stuck to the game plan tonight."
After a scoreless second period, Alex Lippincott added the icing on the cake, slamming an Erik Higby centering feed past Outlaws goalie Tommy Callaghan while on the penalty kill for his first goal of the season, giving the Phantoms their final margin of victory.
Jordan Tibbett stood tall in the net after allowing North Iowa's Jon Crouse's power play goal at the 4:03 mark in the first period, stopping 20 of the 21 shots the Outlaws sent his way in the win.
Tibbett gave a lot of credit to his defensemen.
"The defense played great tonight," said Tibbett, "I saw almost every shot that came my way and they blocked a lot of shots down in front of me that I didn't have to worry about. It was a great 60 minutes from the D."
Mainhardt says Tibbett's solid outing was just what the doctor ordered.
"That's what we need from [Tibbett]," said Mainhardt, "and if he can keep playing like that, it's going to be a special year."
Brian McGinty notched the lone even-strength goal of the game, swatting a rebound past Callaghan just 2:10 into the game.
The win ties the Phantoms atop the North Division with Team USA, with each sporting a 2-0-0 record with four points. Mahoning Valley plays the Springfield (IL) Junior Blues on Friday; the Blues enter the game with a 1-1-0 record.
North American Hockey League Stories from September 18, 2008
- Special Teams Key As Phantoms Oust Outlaws 4-1 - Mahoning Valley Phantoms
- U.S. National Under-17 Team Defeats Owatonna, 7-1, at NAHL Showcase - U.S. National Team
- Avalanche fell TC, 4-3 - Traverse City North Stars
- Machine Clawed by the Bobcats, 4-1 - Motor City Metal Jackets
- Jr. Blues Rally Falls Shart; Lose opener to Fairbanks 4-3 - Springfield Jr. Blues
- RoadRunners take opener - Topeka Pilots
- U.S. National Under-18 Team Drops 3-2 Decision to Wichita Falls in OT - U.S. National Team
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