Bandits, Phantoms skate to Day 2 wins

The North Division champion Mahoning Valley Phantoms (2-0=4) downed the host North Iowa Outlaws (0-2=0), 2-1, in the second game on the second 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.

Johnny Meo and Erik Higby (game-winner) scored for the Phantoms, and goaltender Jordan Tibbett made 22 saves.

“Erik has a knack for scoring big goals, and none bigger than the one he got (on Wednesday)," said Phantoms head coach Bob Mainhardt.  "He’s a tremendous two-way player and he’s been great for us in the playoffs.”

In the early game, the South Division champion St. Louis Bandits (1-0=2) blanked the West Division champion Wenatchee Wild (1-1=2), 6-0.

Clinton Bourbonais connected for two goals and an assist in the victory, with Ryan Rashid scoring the game-winning marker.  Anthany Schooley chipped in two assists for the Bandits, and goaltender Keith Kinkaid turned aside all 24 shots.

On Day 3 of the round robin on Thursday, the Wild will play the Phantoms in the early game (3 p.m. CST), and the Bandits will take on the Central Division champion Bismarck Bobcats (0-1=0) at 7:30 p.m.

The two teams with the most points at the conclusion of the round robin will play in the Robertson Cup championship game on Sunday at 2 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.