2-1 win is second for M.V. in finals

The Phantoms defeated the host team, North Iowa, to improve to 2-0 at the Robertson Cup.

staff report

MASON CITY, Iowa — The Mahoning Valley Phantoms spotted their hosts from North Iowa a 1-0 lead, then goalie Jordan Tibbett was a wall the rest of the way, leading the Phantoms past the Outlaws, 2-1, on Wednesday at the Robertson Cup Championship.

Johnny Meo and Erik Higby scored goals for the Phantoms, who improved to 2-0 at the North American Hockey League’s championship tournament.

The Phantoms are the only team to win its first two games thus far. The St. Louis Bandits won their opening game on Wednesday, 6-0 over the Wenatchee Wild.

The Phantoms are scheduled to play the Bandits on Friday at 4 p.m., Mahoning Valley’s last game in the round robin portion of the tournament.

The top two teams in round robin play advance to Sunday’s championship game.

Wenatchee is 1-1 so far in the Robertson Cup, while Bismarck, which didn’t play Wednesday, is 0-1, and North Iowa is 0-2.

Wednesday night Brandon Brodhag opened the scoring with a powerplay goal for North Iowa with 7:02 remaining in the first period.

His goal, set up by assists from Ryan Peltoma and Joseph Harcharik, came 1:43 after Meo was sent to the penalty box for cross checking.

Meo redeemed himself a little over three minutes later, scoring his fourth goal of the postseason on an assist from Stefan Salituro with 4:57 remaining in the first period.

The Phantoms took the lead, scoring what would prove to be the winning goal by Higby with 7:45 remaining in the second period.

The tally was Higby’s team-leading fifth of the postseason.

Tibbett did the rest, stopping 36 shots for his seventh win in 10 postseason starts.

The Phantoms won despite being outshot 37-27 and going 0-for-8 on the powerplay.

North Iowa went 1-for-6 with the man advantage, but was whistled for 10 infractions totaling 28 minutes.

The Phantoms were sent to the penalty box seven times for 14 minutes.

The Phantoms play Wenatchee today at 4 p.m. before the anticipated showdown against St. Louis on Friday.

The other game tonight will have St. Louis facing Bismarck at 8:30.

Friday’s late game matches Bismarck against North Iowa.

Saturday’s games are Wenatchee vs. Bismarck at 4 p.m. and North Iowa vs. St. Louis at 8:30 p.m.

Sunday’s championship game is scheduled for 3 p.m.