Phantoms getting needed break

Coach Bob Mainhardt said his team needs a rest and time to heal injuries.

BOARDMAN — For the first time in nearly two months, the Mahoning Valley Phantoms have a weekend off.

The last time the Phantoms did not have at least two weekend games was the weekend of October 11th, just six games into their regular season schedule.

Hot on the heels of a grueling three-game weekend in the NAHL North Division Showcase at the Chevrolet Centre and Ice Zone, Phantoms coach Bob Mainhardt said the off-week is just what the doctor ordered.

“We’re pretty banged up right now,” said Mainhardt, “so this time off couldn’t come at a better time. It’ll give our guys a chance to rest up, heal up and lick their wounds a little bit so they can get back on track next weekend.”

While the first-place Phantoms (15-5-2, 32 pts) have a weekend of rest, their closest competitors in the North Division — Traverse City (14-4-3, 31 pts) and Team USA (12-8-2, 26 pts) — are both in action on Friday and Saturday nights.

Second-place Traverse City plays a home-and-home series with Alpena while third-place Team USA travels north for a two-game set in Marquette. Marquette and Alpena are currently tied for fourth place behind the Nationals.

Despite the close divisional race, the Phantoms won’t be doing too much scoreboard-watching during their downtime.

“We don’t have any control over those games,” he said, “so the best thing we can do is concentrate and stay focused on ourselves and the things we do.”

Tibbett honored

For the second straight month, Jordan Tibbett was named honorable mention for the November GDI/NAHL Goalie of the Month Award.

Tibbett went 8-0-0 with one shutout in November with a 2.30 goals against average and a 90.3 save percentage in eight appearances. His eight November wins are only three fewer than the Indianapolis, Ind., native had last season, when he went 11-9-1. He is 12-2-0 this season.

Mainhardt said Tibbett’s play has made his life a lot easier.

“He’s been outstanding,” said Mainhardt. “And, as we’ve said all year, we have two goaltenders [in Tibbett and Garrett Bartus] who we feel are No. 1 goaltenders in this league.

“Their success at that position is going to go a long way toward our success as a team in the long run.”

Tibbett was also named honorable mention for the Goalie of the Week award earlier this week after a 2-0-0 performance at the NAHL North Division Showcase last weekend. He was joined in the weekly honors by teammate Jordy Trottier, whose two goals and one assist landed him an honorable mention nod for the North Division Player of the Week award.