Tibbett Stands Tall as Phantoms Improve to 4-0-1
Published on October 3, 2008 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Mahoning Valley Phantoms News Release
WYANDOTTE, MI (Friday, October 3rd, 2008) - Jordan Tibbett turned in another huge performance between the pipes and got a little help from his special teams as the Mahoning Valley Phantoms edged Detroit's Motor City Machine 2-1.
Untested for most of the third period as play stayed in the Motor City end, Tibbett stepped up to stop a flurry of Machine chances late in the game, including a 6-on-5 rush after the Machine pulled goalie Zach Hansen for the extra skater. With the win, Tibbett improves to 3-0-0 on the season and maintains his league-best 1.00 goals against average.
Tibbett liked his line but kept the big picture in mind.
"The goals against average and all the stats are always fun," said the second-year Phantoms goalie, "but you've got to keep the main goal of winning in view at all times. Winning is the most important thing."
Tibbett's penalty killers picked him up as well, killing off all seven Motor City power plays including two straight 5-on-3 advantages in the third. The Phantoms have now negated 29 straight opposition power plays, dating back to September 18th against North Iowa.
"The special teams were huge," says Tibbett. "The way the games are being called these days, with all the stick infractions, having a good power play and penalty kill is always a big boost."
Stefan Salituro netted the eventual game winner in on the power play with 5:05 left in the second, dekeing two Machine defenders and putting the puck through Hansen's five-hole to give the Phantoms a lead they would not give back.
The Phantoms finished 1-for-7 on the power play.
Erik Higby opened the scoring in the first period with his fourth goal of the season, blistering a Cole Schneider centering feed past Hansen to stake the Phantoms to a 1-0 lead.
Jared Friedman briefly tied the game for the Machine in the second period, poking a loose rebound under a sprawling Tibbett. The goal tied the game for just two and a half minutes before Salituro netted the game-winner.
The win puts the Phantoms (4-0-1, 9 pts) into second place in the North Division behind Traverse City (5-2-0, 10 pts), who dispatched Alpena 2-1 on Friday night.
The Phantoms and Machine wrap up their two-game set on Saturday night, with opening face-off set for 7:10 from Yack Arena in Wyandotte, MI.
North American Hockey League Stories from October 3, 2008
- Tibbett Stands Tall as Phantoms Improve to 4-0-1 - Mahoning Valley Phantoms
- Stars sting Diggers, 2-1 - Traverse City North Stars
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