Phantoms’ Erik Higby choice as league’s player-of-week winner

BOARDMAN — Mahoning Valley Phantoms forward Erik Higby, who scored the game-winning goal against the St. Louis Bandits last Friday, was named player of the week by the North American Hockey League Monday.

Higby scored a shorthanded goal with 46 seconds remaining in overtime to give the Phantoms a 4-3 in the team’s inaugural game at the Chevrolet Centre.

“It’s a big honor to win player of the week,” said Higby, 19, of Shelby Twp., Mich. “It feels pretty cool; it’s definitely something new.”

The weekly award was the first for Higby.

Phantoms coach Bob Mainhardt said the whole team was excited for Higby.

“These individual efforts are something we celebrate as an entire team,” said Mainhardt. “When you work hard as a team, individuals accomplish more and Erik excelled because of that this weekend.”

Jordan Tibbett, who had 43 saves in the weekend series, was named honorable mention for the goalie of the week award.

The Phantoms play host to Team USA Friday at 7:15 p.m. at the Chevrolet Centre.

The teams play again Saturday at 3 p.m. in Ann Arbor, Mich.