Bartus named player of week

BOARDMAN — Mahoning Valley Phantoms goaltender Garrett Bartus was named player of the week in the North Division of the North American Hockey League.

Bartus, 18, was in goal as the Phantoms to three of their four wins at the Phantoms Hockey Showcase, stopping 77 of the 80 shots he faced to help move the team into sole possession of second place in the division.

“Garrett gave us the opportunity to win,” said Phantoms assistant coach Curtis Carr. “He made the saves he was supposed to and some he wasn't necessarily supposed to, and when we needed him, he came up big.”

Bartus is 16-4-2 this season and picked up his second save of the season with a 26 saves in a 4-0 win over the Traverse City North Stars Monday night.

Bartus, from St. Charles, Ill., ranks among the top four NAHL goaltenders in every major statistical category.

The Phantoms (24-10-3) travel to St. Louis for games Friday and Saturday at 8:15 p.m.