Wild, Phantoms skate to Robertson Cup wins + Photos
April 28, 2009
The West Division champion Wenatchee Wild (1-0=2) downed the host North Iowa Outlaws (0-1=0), 4-3, in the second game on the first day of the five-day, four-game round-robin portion of the Robertson Cup Championship Tournament at the North Iowa Ice Arena in Mason City, Iowa.Michael Voran notched two goals for the Wild, with DJ Vandercook connecting for the game-winning marker and an assist. In goal, Mac Carruth steered aside 19 shots.
In the first game of the tournament, the North Division champion Mahoning Valley Phantoms (1-0=2) bested the Central Division champion Bismarck Bobcats (0-1=0), 4-2.
Stefan Salituro struck for the game-winning goal and two assists for the Phantoms, and Brandon Saad added two goals of his own. David Chaney added three assists. Between the pipes, Mahoning Valley goaltender Jordan Tibbett made 22 saves.
“Game 1 was a really important one to win,” said Salituro, whose three points tied him for the team playoff lead with Cole Schneider at nine. "It gets our momentum going in the right direction and really gets the load off our back.”
The tournament continues tomorrow with the Wild taking on the two-time defending St. Louis Bandits (0-0=0), the South Division champions, in the early game (3 p.m. CST) and the host Outlaws playing the Phantoms (7:30 p.m.).
The Robertson Cup crowns the NAHL’s playoff champion, which also represents USA Hockey’s Tier II Junior A national champion.
For more information on the Robertson Cup Championship Tournament, visit RobertsonCup.com.
2009.04.28 - Mahoning Valley Phantoms @ Bismarck Bobcats - Images by Robert Meyer
2009.04.28 - Game 2 - Wenatchee Wild @ North Iowa Outlaws - Images by Robert Meyer