Phantoms win in overtime 3-2

MARQUETTE, Mich. — A minute and a half into overtime, Mahoning Valley Phantoms assistant captain Robert Harrison stuffed home his second game-winning goal of the season, delivering the Phantoms a 3-2 overtime road win over the Marquette Rangers Thursday night.

Harrison’s OT winner comes in just his second game back off a broken leg suffered in November against the St. Louis Bandits. The third year defenseman was excited to score in such a big spot so soon after the injury.

“It was amazing to get the overtime goal,” said Harrison, “and it gives me a huge boost of confidence. Now I need to make sure that I don’t get too big-headed about it; if I do that I get away from the basics and start trying to do too much out there.”

The win extends the Phantoms’ (29-10-4, 62 points) lead for first place in the North Division to seven points over idle Traverse City (25-11-5, 55 pts), the biggest lead Mahoning Valley has enjoyed in the North this season.

Jordan Tibbett turned away 31 Marquette shots as he improved to 20-5-1 After the game, the Indianapolis native reflected on reaching the milestone win.

“Getting 20 wins feels pretty good,” said the 2009 Top Prospects selection. “Wins are the biggest thing I can get as a goalie, so every time I pick one up I feel good about myself and our team, but getting to 20 is pretty special.”

Brandon Saad (20-14-34) scored and registered two assists for Mahoning Valley, pulling into a two-way tie with Jordy Trottier for the Phantoms’ team lead in scoring with 34 points.

Johnny Meo notched his first shorthanded goal of the season, beating Marquette keeper Kevin Kissaw with a transition snap shot to give the Phantoms a 2-1 lead mid-way through the second period.

Marquette’s Kent Daavetila scored with 8:19 left in regulation to tie the game at two, forcing overtime for the Rangers. The extra point earned by extending the game got the Rangers (19-20-6, 44 pts) to within one point of idle Team USA (21-11-3, 45 pts) for the North’s fourth and final playoff spot.

Garrett Ladd also scored for Marquette; Kissaw finished the night with 30 saves and fell to 11-9-3.

The Phantoms and Rangers continue their three-game set at Lakeview Arena on Friday night at 7:30 p.m.