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Mahoning Valley edges Traverse City, wins series
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Mahoning Valley Phantom Robert Harrison (4) puts the puck past Traverse City North Stars C.J. Motte (30) during the second period scoring the teams second goal at The Ice Zone Sunday evening.
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Mahoning Valley Phantom Stefan Salituro (90)takes the puck down the ice past Traverse City North Stars Nate Urbaniak (9) during the second period at The Ice Zone Sunday evening.
By Tom Williams
Goaltender Jordan Tibbett stopped all but one shot in the Phantoms’ 2-1 victory.
BOARDMAN — Minus two of their leading scorers for what might have been the final game in franchise history, the Mahoning Valley Phantoms rallied around their potent defense to extend their season.
Goaltender Jordan Tibbett stopped all but one of Traverse City’s 24 shots in the Phantoms’ 2-1 victory Sunday over the North Stars at the Ice Zone.
Goals from two unheralded scorers — defenseman Robert Harrison (five in the regular season) and forward Michael Pateras (three) — provided the offense as the Phantoms won the finale of the best-of-5 North American Hockey League North Division semifinals.
The Phantoms advance to the best-of-5 divisional finals against the U.S. National Team, which knocked out the Alpena IceDiggers in four games. Games 1 and 2 of the Phantoms-Team USA series will be played this weekend at Ann Arbor, Mich.
Phantoms owner Bruce Zoldan said Games 3 and 4 will be played the following weekend at the Chevrolet Centre.
Just as he had success when he started Garrett Bartus in goal for Game 3 on Thursday in Traverse City, Phantoms coach Bob Mainhardt made a switch for Game 5.
“It’s important when we have two veteran goalies to be able to use them,” said Mainhardt, who said a little time off for his top netminder probably helped. “Maybe that extra day of rest was good — it looked like it was for Jordan today as he just played outstanding.”
Tibbett had a shutout going until two minutes remained when Eric O’Hearn scored on assists by Mike Schenfeld and Garrett Thompson.
With 90 seconds remaining, the North Stars pulled goaltender C.J. Motte and took several late shots at Tibbett.
Tibbett was not surprised at how close the final period was.
“We came prepared [because] we knew it was going to be a tight series,” said Tibbett after winning his second one-goal game. “We split the season with them and they are an amazing team with a lot of skill.
“They’ve got a lot heart, but we’ve got that, too,” Tibbett said.
With scoring aces Brandon Saad (lower body injury) and Jordan Trottier (spleen) unable to play, the Phantoms knew goals would be precious.
They broke the scoreless tie midway through the second period after Johnny Meo stole the puck along the boards in the North Stars end. Meo sent a cross-ice pass to a streaking Erik Higby whose shot was stopped by Motte.
But the rebound caromed to Michael Pateras in the slot and his one-timer slipped past Motte for a 1-0 lead.
“Big as a beach ball,” said Pateras of how the puck looked coming towards him. “No one covered me — I was wide open after Higby’s good shot and I just put it home.”
Pateras called it his biggest goal of the season.
Higby said the lift was important.
“We knew we had to score first to get a big jump on them,” Higby said.
With about four minutes remaining in the second period, Harrison sent a bouncing puck under Motte for the Phantoms’ second goal. Assisting were Meo and Higby.
“It was do-or-die for us, so we knew we had to do everything [well] to get this win,” Higby said. “This is big.”
Three of the five games ended with one-goal margins. Mainhardt expected nothing less.
“From the beginning of training camp, we knew defense was going to have to be a strong point for us,” Mainhardt said. “There’s no doubt they were a big part of the difference today.”
Pateras said the Phantoms are thrilled to continue.
“It’s the best time,” said Pateras of the extended season. “Still with the team, still hanging out, still playing the sport that you love — it’s the best.”
williams@vindy.com