Phantoms ready for divisional play

They’ll play North Division newcomer Motor City tonight in Michigan.

WYANDOTTE, Mich. — The Mahoning Valley Phantoms open divisional play tonight when they take on the newest member of the North Division, the Motor City Machine.

The Phantoms and the Machine split a preseason home-and-home series, with the Phantoms winning 4-2 in Detroit and the Machine gaining a 5-3 win at the Ice Zone in Boardman.

Some of Johnny Meo’s teammates call him “The Face of Phantoms Hockey.”

This description may be due in part to the fact that his missing front teeth give him a classic hockey smile, but it’s more because of his boundless work ethic he displays as a third-year Phantom.

It wasn’t always that way. Early on in his first season, he struggled to gain playing time.

“I played one game in the first three weeks of the 2006-07 season,” Meo said. “After that, we had some injuries and some guys that got cut, and that gave me a chance to get into the starting lineup. I think it was hard work that helped me stay in the lineup.

“I had a good combination with my linemates and we started to get a good thing going,” Meo said. “I also met with coach and he helped me find the things that I needed to keep working on to keep my spot.

“When it came time for the Robertson Cup when I was playing every day, but I was trying to do everything to not only keep my spot but also win the championship.”

Last year, his hard work helped him secure a full-time roster spot while his role on the team evolved.

“Even though I was still a younger guy,” the center said, “I was still a leader on the team for the younger players.

“I wanted to lead the team and get the championship we missed the year before. I knew what it was like to have that championship stolen and I worked as hard as I could to make sure the team got back to the championship.”

Phantoms goalie Jordan Tibbett leads the North American Hockey League with a 1.00 goals against average. Motor City’s Zach Hansen is 10th in the league with a solid 2.30.

The Phantoms (3-0-1, 7 points) are one point ahead of the Machine (3-3-0, 6 points) for third place in the North Division.

Team USA leads the North with 9 points (4-3-1) while Traverse City is in second place with 8 points (4-2-0).

Erik Higby leads the Phantoms in scoring with three goals and two assists while Kevin Bechard leads Motor City with three goals and an assist.