Phantoms ready for key division series


By John Kovach | February 4, 2009 at 5:46p.m.

By John Kovach

BOARDMAN — The Mahoning Valley Phantoms will try to maintain their two-point lead over Traverse City North Stars in the North Division of the North American Hockey League, when the two teams open a three-game series Friday at the Ice Zone at 7:15 p.m.

The Phantoms (26-10-3-55 points) and North Stars (24-9-5-53) also will play at the Ice Zone Saturday at 7:15 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m.

Mahoning Valley is coming off a two-game road sweep of the Alpena IceDiggers, winning last Saturday, 9-2, behind Brandon Saad’s first hat trick of the season and Jordan Tibbett’s goaltending.

Read the story in Thursday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com.