Tibbett Stops 50 as Phantoms advance to National Tournament
Published on April 25, 2009 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Mahoning Valley Phantoms News Release
ANN ARBOR, MI - The Mahoning Valley Phantoms are headed to their fourth straight Robertson Cup Tournament following a 2-1 win over the U.S. National Team in the decisive Game Five of the North Division Finals Saturday.
Phantoms goalie Jordan Tibbett made 50 saves as Mahoning Valley clinched their second North Division title, winning the best-of-five series three games to two.
"I can't say enough about Jordan," said Phantoms Head Coach and General Manager Bob Mainhardt, "he was definitely the difference tonight. He was outstanding for us after some unlucky bounces [Friday]. There was no doubt in my mind that he was going to be ready for [Saturday] and he exceeded all of my expectations."
The Phantoms and Nationals battled through a scoreless first period as Tibbett and Team USA's Brandon Maxwell combined for 27 saves through the first 20 minutes, each turning aside numerous point-blank chances to keep the score 0-0.
The game would remain knotted until Erik Higby kicked off the scoring more than halfway into the game, beating Maxwell in transition for a 1-0 Phantoms lead with 7:11 left in the second period.
"Cole [Schneider] beat their âD' on an up-ice rush, and the trailing defenseman sucked in to him, and he hit me out front with a great pass," said Higby. "Maxwell came out on me really hard, so I made a move from left to right and put it over his glove."
The teams would trade chances over the next 25 minutes of hockey as Tibbett and Maxwell continued to stand tall in net.
With the Phantoms still leading 1-0 with just over two minutes left, Team USA Head Coach John Hynes lifted Maxwell for an extra attacker. As the clock passed 2:00, Schneider pulled the puck out of the Mahoning Valley zone and, while falling down, fired a 125-foot shot into the empty net for a 2-0 Phantoms lead with 1:51 remaining.
The Nationals continued to press to get on the board and with 35 seconds left, USA leading scorer Emerson Etem caught a bounce of a Phantoms defender and redirected the puck past Tibbett to cut the Mahoning Valley edge to 2-1.
The Phantoms would only allow one shot over the final 35 ticks as time expired, which Tibbett deflected harmlessly into the corner as time expired, sending the Phantoms onto Mason City, IA, for the 2009 National Tournament.
"I'm not sure if it felt like 50 saves," said Tibbett of the win, "but it did feel like a really long game. We're feeling pretty good right now, though."
It is the Phantoms' fourth straight Robertson Cup Tournament appearance, including two National Championship appearances in 2007 and 2008.
The Phantoms dropped both of those title appearances to the St. Louis Bandits-8-4 and 5-2, respectively.
"It's exciting to go back," said Mainhardt, "the guys that were here last year definitely feel like there's some unfinished business while the new guys took it as a challenge; they didn't want to be the team that broke the string [of Robertson Cup appearances].
"We've got a couple days off now, so we're going to rest up and be ready with our best in Mason City."
The Phantoms will open the 2009 Robertson Cup Tournament with a 4:00 PM matchup on Tuesday against the winner of the Central Division.
The Central Division Finals will play its decisive Game Five on Sunday after the Owatonna Express evened their series with the top-seeded Bismarck Bobcats with a 2-1 win Saturday.
Joining the Phantoms and the winner of the Bismarck-Owatonna series in Mason City will be the South Division champion Bandits, the West Division champion Wenatchee Wild and the host North Iowa Outlaws.
Tuesday's tournament opener will be broadcast locally on ESPN Radio 1240, WBBW-AM, and worldwide at MVPPhantoms.com via B2 Networks. The pregame show will begin at 3:45 PM.
All Phantoms merchandise is on sale for 40% off at the Phantoms Team Shop at both the Chevrolet Centre and the Ice Zone while the Phantoms are in the playoffs. 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 April 25, 2009
- Game 5 needed in Bismark - Bismarck Bobcats
- Tibbett Stops 50 as Phantoms advance to National Tournament - Mahoning Valley Phantoms
- U.S. National Under-17 Team Falls to Mahoning Valley, 2-1 - U.S. National Team
- Harvey's Blast Leads to 3-2 OT Win - Bismarck Bobcats
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