Phantoms in Traverse City for key North Division series

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. — The top two teams in the North American Hockey League’s North Division will face off three times this weekend.

The first-place Mahoning Valley Phantoms (19-7-2, 40 points) are in northwest Michigan to play the second-place Traverse City North Stars (16-6-5, 37).

Bob Mainhardt, Phantoms head coach and general manager, says that with both teams getting ready to start the second half of the 2008-09 season, the standings take on a increased importance.

“The closer you get to the end of the season the more they mean,” Mainhardt said. “Obviously, this will be a huge weekend for both teams, so we expect a playoff-type level of play all weekend.”

The Phantoms and North Stars have met four times so far this season, with each team holding a 2-1-1 record against the other.

In their last matchup, the Phantoms won 3-2 in a shootout at the Chevrolet Centre on Nov. 28. In early November, the Phantoms and North Stars split 1-1-1 in Michigan.

“We’ve got to focus on working hard this weekend,” Mainhardt said. “I think if you look at every game in our division so far this year, it comes down to who works the hardest. If we want to be successful this weekend — and this year — that’s got to be us.”

The Phantoms has won 10 of their last 13 games while Traverse City has gone 3-3-4 in their past 10 contests.

The Phantoms are led up front by Jordy Trottier’s 10 goals and 10 assists while goaltenders Jordan Tibbett and Garrett Bartus have combined for a 2.57 goals-against average.

Kyle Bonis is the North Stars’ leading scorer, with 11 goals and 12 assists. Brandon Stephenson anchors Traverse City between the pipes with a 2.64 GAA.

Tonight and Saturday’s contests will begin at 7:05 while Sunday’s start is set for a 12:35 p.m. faceoff.