Published: Saturday, December 1, 2007
Phantoms turn back Ice Diggers
It was the fifth time in seven games Mahoning Vally has beaten Alpena.
By GREG GULAS
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
BOARDMAN — Last season, the Mahoning Valley Phantoms and Alpena Ice Diggers finished 1-2 in the North American Hockey League's North Division; the Phantoms winning 12 of 16 regular season contests but the Ice Diggers outscoring their league counterparts by a 17-13 count in the final four outings.
After their 4-1 victory over the Ice Diggers Friday night at the Ice Zone, Mahoning Valley has now won five of the first seven regular season outings this season between the two clubs in what can be termed as one of the most heated rivalries in the NAHL.
Grant Blakey scored two goals, including the game winner in the second period, while goalie Jordan Tibbett rejected 26 Alpena (11-11-1, 23 points) shots to pace the Phantoms (17-7-2, 34) to their third consecutive victory and their seventh win in their last nine outings.
"It was a really odd atmosphere tonight. It seemed as if both teams were feeling each other out the entire game," Phantoms coach Bob Mainhardt said.
"It was great to see Grant perform like he did because he has been working hard all season long. He's been very consistent and while we didn't play him as much as we would have liked to due to the penalties that we had to kill, he still performed admirably," Mainhardt added.
Derek Graham's team-leading 19th goal if the season at 7:49 of the opening period staked the Phantoms to the early goal advantage.
When Alpena's Isaac Viau answered with an unassisted goal at 11:17 of the opening stanza, the Ice Diggers forged a 1-all tie heading to the second period of play.
Blakey's first goal of the game at 3:42 of the second period then helped the Phantoms to a 2-1 margin. It was a goal that gave the Phantoms the lead for good and turned out to give them a lead that they would not relinquish the rest of the way.
"On that first goal, Hirshfeld just came back to me and luckily my wrist shot made it past their goalie. The last time we played them in Alpena, we had to settle for a split of the weekend series. Winning the first game tonight on our own ice, well, it sure would be nice if we could win two and make it a four-point weekend," Blakey said.
Brent Dexter's goal at 6:15 of the final period, with an assist from both Johnny Meo and Kyle Verbeek, increased the Mahoning Valley lead to 3-1 and when Blakey added his empty netter at 19:20, Mahoning Valley closed out the scoring on the night.
"You only get so many chances to prove yourself and tonight was a very special win for us. Alpena is aggressive, always playing with plenty of heart and intensity. They are a tough team to beat," Tibbett stated.
"With an opening night win we now want to remain perfect this weekend, however, we realize that we must string together some wins of we expect to keep pace in our division," Tibbett noted.
The Phantoms' win, coupled with the St. Louis Bandits' 7-4 loss Friday night to the Topeka Roadrunners, gave the Phantoms sole possession of first place in the league's North Division.
Tibbett also improved to 5-5-0 in 10 outings while in goal this season.
The Ice Diggers held a 27-19 shots on goal advantage while Alpena goalie Nate Pellegrino fell to 9-5-1 in 15 outings when in goal for the Ice Diggers this season.
The teams will meet in the final game of the series at 7:15 tonight at the Ice Zone.
Saturday, December 1, 2007
It was the fifth time in seven games Mahoning Vally has beaten Alpena.
By GREG GULAS
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
BOARDMAN — Last season, the Mahoning Valley Phantoms and Alpena Ice Diggers finished 1-2 in the North American Hockey League's North Division; the Phantoms winning 12 of 16 regular season contests but the Ice Diggers outscoring their league counterparts by a 17-13 count in the final four outings.
After their 4-1 victory over the Ice Diggers Friday night at the Ice Zone, Mahoning Valley has now won five of the first seven regular season outings this season between the two clubs in what can be termed as one of the most heated rivalries in the NAHL.
Grant Blakey scored two goals, including the game winner in the second period, while goalie Jordan Tibbett rejected 26 Alpena (11-11-1, 23 points) shots to pace the Phantoms (17-7-2, 34) to their third consecutive victory and their seventh win in their last nine outings.
"It was a really odd atmosphere tonight. It seemed as if both teams were feeling each other out the entire game," Phantoms coach Bob Mainhardt said.
"It was great to see Grant perform like he did because he has been working hard all season long. He's been very consistent and while we didn't play him as much as we would have liked to due to the penalties that we had to kill, he still performed admirably," Mainhardt added.
Derek Graham's team-leading 19th goal if the season at 7:49 of the opening period staked the Phantoms to the early goal advantage.
When Alpena's Isaac Viau answered with an unassisted goal at 11:17 of the opening stanza, the Ice Diggers forged a 1-all tie heading to the second period of play.
Blakey's first goal of the game at 3:42 of the second period then helped the Phantoms to a 2-1 margin. It was a goal that gave the Phantoms the lead for good and turned out to give them a lead that they would not relinquish the rest of the way.
"On that first goal, Hirshfeld just came back to me and luckily my wrist shot made it past their goalie. The last time we played them in Alpena, we had to settle for a split of the weekend series. Winning the first game tonight on our own ice, well, it sure would be nice if we could win two and make it a four-point weekend," Blakey said.
Brent Dexter's goal at 6:15 of the final period, with an assist from both Johnny Meo and Kyle Verbeek, increased the Mahoning Valley lead to 3-1 and when Blakey added his empty netter at 19:20, Mahoning Valley closed out the scoring on the night.
"You only get so many chances to prove yourself and tonight was a very special win for us. Alpena is aggressive, always playing with plenty of heart and intensity. They are a tough team to beat," Tibbett stated.
"With an opening night win we now want to remain perfect this weekend, however, we realize that we must string together some wins of we expect to keep pace in our division," Tibbett noted.
The Phantoms' win, coupled with the St. Louis Bandits' 7-4 loss Friday night to the Topeka Roadrunners, gave the Phantoms sole possession of first place in the league's North Division.
Tibbett also improved to 5-5-0 in 10 outings while in goal this season.
The Ice Diggers held a 27-19 shots on goal advantage while Alpena goalie Nate Pellegrino fell to 9-5-1 in 15 outings when in goal for the Ice Diggers this season.
The teams will meet in the final game of the series at 7:15 tonight at the Ice Zone.
Saturday, December 1, 2007
Last season, the Mahoning Valley Phantoms and Alpena Ice Diggers finished 1-2 in the North American Hockey League's...
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