The Lehigh Valley Phantoms continued their tour north at the border, making a stop at the CAA Arena to take on the Belleville Senators Saturday night. The Phantoms are currently on a five-game losing streak looking to end against the Senators.
Early in the first period, a hooking call was against Senators defenseman Erik Brannstrom sending the Phantoms on the power play. The Phantoms took advantage of the power play as Pascal Laberge (6), with assists from Carsen Twarynski (5) and German Rubtsov (8), to put the Phantoms ahead 1-0.
A cross-checking call against Maksim Sushko with a minute left to play in the first period would put the Senators on the power play. The Phantoms were doing a good job controlling the puck and taking shots. The Phantoms led 1-0 at the end of the first period. The Senators were going to start the second period on the power play with a minute left. The Phantoms committed three penalties in the first period.
The Phantoms’ defense stopped the Senators on their third power play. The Phantoms added to their lead 2-0 three minutes and thirty-four seconds in the second period on a goal by Maksim Sushko (5) with an assist from Reece Wilcox (9). About a minute later, after Sushko’s goal, the Senators pulled within one 2-1 on a goal by Josh Norris (18) with assists from Alex Formenton (9) and Jonathan Aspirot (7).
The Phantoms committed another penalty eleven minutes and thirty-eight seconds in the second period, this time a roughing call against T.J. Brennan. Sixteen seconds later, the Senators tied the game 2-2 as Josh Norris (19) scored his second goal of the game with assists from Alex Erik Brannstrom (6) and Logan Brown (7). The Senators took their first lead of the game 3-2 sixteen minutes and forty seconds on a goal by Morgan Klimchuk (6) with assists from Logan Brown (8) and Erik Brannstrom (7).
Late in the third period, a hooking call against Senators left-winger Joseph LaBate sent the Phantoms on the power play with fifteen seconds left. The Phantoms would be starting the third period on the power play as the Senators led the Phantoms 3-2 as the second period ended.
The Phantoms didn’t waste any time tying the game up 3-3 forty seconds into the third period on a goal by Connor Bunnaman (2) with assists from Morgan Frost (8) and Greg Carey (9). Four minutes and seven seconds later, the Senators regained the lead 4-3 on a goal by Michael Carcone (5) with assists from Hubert Labrie (5) and Filip Chlapik (6).
The Phantoms took a gamble with under three minutes to play, pulling Alex Lyon for the extra attacker hoping to tie the game. The gamble failed as Alex Formenton (15) put the game away 5-3 with assists from Morgan Klimchuk (4) and Filip Chlapik (7). The Phantoms played their hearts out in this game, having much more energy than in previous games; however, they fell short to the Belleville Senators 5-3. The Phantoms have now lost six straight games.
The Senators had thirty-seven shots on goal while the Phantoms had thirty-one. The Phantoms went two for seven on the power play, and the Senators were one for seven. Phantoms goalie Alex Lyon made thirty-two of thirty-six saves, allowing four goals, and Senators goalie Filip Gustavsson made twenty-eight of thirty-one saves allowing three goals.
The three stars of the game were Senators defenseman Erik Brannstrom with two assists, Senators center Logan Brown with two assists, and Senators center Josh Norris with two goals. The Phantoms will wrap up their time in Canada Sunday at 4 pm at the Coca-Cola Coliseum against the Toronto Marlies.
