Phantoms coach, 6 players off to Michigan event

By Greg Gulas

Most of the Phantoms have an off weekend, but seven will go to the Top Prospects Tournament.

YOUNGSTOWN — After consecutive three-game weekends, the Mahoning Valley Phantoms are embracing an open weekend with the hopes of healing some nagging injuries, setbacks which have left the team at considerably less than full strength.

The Phantoms (22-9-3, 47 points) went 3-2-1 in those six contests and in the process opened a four-point lead on North Division foe Traverse City (19-9-5, 43 points), which struggled to a 2-4 mark during that same span.

An off weekend will be a nice change of pace for most Phantoms players. But for head coach Bob Mainhardt and six Phantoms designees, it will be business as usual as they will journey to Ann Arbor, Mich., and the annual Top Prospects Tournament from Sunday-Tuesday.

Mainhardt, who will coach the North Division All-Stars, will be joined by: goalie Jordan Tibbett; forwards Nick Shkreli, Jordy Trottier and Johnny Meo; and defensemen Cullen Lundholm a Carl Nielson.

“This is an outstanding exposure opportunity for everyone involved,” Mainhardt said. “The players, the league and everyone connected with the tournament benefit.

“As far as our selections, it is a reflection on our entire team and organization and the commitment of all 25 players thus far this season.”

Tibbett, who is 15-4-1 with a shutout in 21 games, is excited to be a part of the North Division squad.

“The off-week is big for us because we are a little banged up and we need to heal and get healthy for the stretch run of the season,” Tibbett said. “While playing in the Top Prospects Tournament doesn’t qualify as an off-weekend for some of us, it will be no doubt be an exciting time.”

Shkreli, whose 25 points (8 goals, 17 assists) is second to Trottier (11 goals, 16 assists, 27 points) for the team scoring lead, is pleased to join his linemate, Trottier, for the tournament but also credits teammate Nick Kenney for his increased offensive output of late.

“The last month or so we’ve complemented one another; everyone just looks out for one another during our shifts,” he said. “Right now we must concentrate on staying focused, limiting our mistakes and just keep working hard.

“If we do that then I find it hard to believe that we won’t be one of the better teams at playoff time.”

Mainhardt said the one-two punch of Tibbett and Garrett Bartus in goal has been the team’s real strength.

“In years past, we worried about peaking too early but this year that is not the case,” he said. “We need to remember that while this is the youngest Phantoms team in the six-year history of our franchise, we still feel that our best hockey this season has yet to be played.

“That is where both Jordan [Tibbett] and Garrett [Bartus] come in,” Mainhardt said. “We knew that goaltending would play a big part in our success and both goalies have followed through. We feel as a staff that we can turn to either goalie on any given night and they will keep us in games.”

Mainhardt feels his team has been very strong defensively, but while injuries and suspensions have derailed their progress the veterans have kicked their games up a notch as well.

“While our defense has played well, we haven’t exactly had an entire unit healthy or intact this season,” he said. “Robert Harrison went down with a broken fibula against St. Louis back on November 15 and only this week will he get back on the ice to practice with us.

“We’ve been patient and didn’t want to rush him back, but by the same token we anxiously await his return.”

This year’s offense hasn’t been as dynamic as in years past, but it isn’t because they lack for scorers.

“Our veterans once again have stepped up their games and now the younger players are stepping up and finding their touch as well,” Mainhardt said.

The Phantoms’ special teams might be the one area lacking consistency in comparison to the other game parts. If they are to qualify for the playoffs and dance beyond the divisional round, then their special teams play will have to come around.

“We’re getting close to playing a 60-minute, overall game. A lot of times though we’re taking two steps forward and one step back,” he said.

“The positive is the two steps that we take forward. It’s the one step back that we must work on and eliminate.”

Mahoning Valley will return to action on Jan. 23 when they host the Motor City Machine in the first of a two-game series at the Chevrolet Centre.

They will conclude their third three-game weekend of the month when they travel to Team USA on Jan. 25.