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Goalie Tibbett denies Phantoms’ opponents
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Mahoning Valley Phantoms goalie Jordan Tibbett defends a shot
While guarding the net, Tibbett achieved a perfect 8-0-0 record in November.
BY JOHN KOVACH
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN — There is a new saying: “As the goaltender goes, so goes the hockey team,” and that has been the case with the Mahoning Valley Phantoms.
Behind the outstanding play of goalie Jordan Tibbett, the Phantoms (15-5-2, 32 points) hold second place in the North Division of the North American Hockey League, only one point behind Traverse City (15-5-3, 33), entering this weekend’s road schedule following a weekend off.
Mahoning Valley will play the third-place U.S. National Team (13-9-2, 28) in Ann Arbor, Mich., at the Ice Cube on Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m.
Then coach Bob Mainhardt’s Phantoms will return home to play the Marquette Rangers Dec. 19 and 20 at the Chevrolet Centre at 7:15 p.m. both games.
Mahoning Valley has been playing and winning close games — four of their last seven outings have gone overtime — and they are 4-0-0 for that span and 5-0-2 overall.
Tibbett (6-1, 175), age 18, from Indianapolis, has been a key reason for that recent success.
In his second season with the team, he finished the month of November with a perfect 8-0-0 mark with one shutout, a 2.30 GAA and a 90.3 save percentage in eight appearances.
And for the second straight month, he was named honorable mention for the November GDI/NAHL Goalie of the Month Award.
Sporting a 12-2 overall record with a 1.96 GAA, 337 saves and a 92.3 save percentage, Tibbett credits his concentration on the puck while in the net and the defensive help from his teammates for helping him to have a great November.
“Just being 100 percent focused night in and night out [has helped],” said Tibbett, the son of Jodi and Jeremy Tibbett who has been playing hockey for 14 years. “You can’t make any mistakes or you give up a goal. You have to be ready at all times.”
He also lauded his teammates for providing him with a shield on defense in front of the net.
“The team really has been clicking and coming together, especially last month. We have worked hard and it has paid off,” said Tibbett, whose eight wins in November are only three fewer than he had the entire 2007-08 season, when he posted an 11-9-1 record.
“Overall the team is playing great defense and definitely giving me a lot of help back there.”
Two of Tibbett’s November wins came in the NAHL North Division Showcase held the week before last at the Chevrolet Centre and Ice Zone, in which the Phantoms went 2-1.
Tibbett’s current backup, Garrett Bartus, is 3-2 with a 3.57 GAA, 193 saves and an 86.9 save percentage.
Tibbett will have one more year with the Phantoms after this season, and is hoping to win a college scholarship.
“I’m definitely trying to find a good college to play hockey and get a good education,” said Tibbett, who is living with Mike and Cindy McCarthy of Boardman this season after spending his first year with Connie Hughes of Girard.
Also having a big November for the Phantoms are linemates Nick Shkreli and Kyle Verbeek. The veteran forwards combined to score five goals and register 12 assists in November.
Shkreli’s nine points (2-7-9) lead the Phantoms in scoring during that time period, while Verbeek’s eight (3-5-8) put him in second on the team in November.
Brandon Saad led the Phantoms in November goals with six, and shares the team scoring lead with Jordy Trottier. Saad has 10 goals and five assists for 15 points while Trottier has eight goals and seven assists for 15 points.
Stefan Salituro is third in scoring with six goals, eight assists and 14 points, followed by Doug Clifford (7-6-13) and Cullen Lundhiolm (2-11-13).
kovach@vindy.com