The Lehigh Valley Phantoms (18-7-3-1) hosted the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (12-12-4-2) at the PPL Center for the final meeting of the regular season. The Phantoms were 4-3 against the Penguins this year.
Zane McIntyre got the start at goalie. The scratches for the game were Mason Millman, Maksim Sushko, Isaac Ratcliffe, Logan Day, Ralph Cuddemi, Wyatte Wylie, Pascal Laberge, Eamon McAdam, and Tyson Foerster.
Both of these teams created opportunities to score in the first period, but we’re missing their shots or stopped by the goalies. The Phantoms committed two penalties in the first period that they were able to kill off. At 11:57, the first goal went to the Penguins after Drew O’Connor crossed passed the puck to Jonathan Gruden, who had an open net in front of him for the goal. The Penguins led 1-0 after the first period ended and dominated the shots 14-6.
While the score didn’t change in the second period, the Phantoms did get some chances to tie the game. Zane McIntyre made a couple of great saves to keep the game 1-0. With one minute left, the Phantoms went on the power play after a high-sticking call against Anthony Angello. The second period ended still 1-0 for the Penguins, who had an 8-6 shot advantage.
Lehigh Valley was unable to score on the power play in the third period. Egor Zamula and Chris Bigras came close to tying the game, but their shots hit the post. Finally, the Phantoms broke through at 4:04 when Zayde Wisdom passed to Ryan Fitzgerald for the breakaway goal to tie it up at one apiece.
After that goal, the Phantoms began to pound the Penguins taking shot after shot. They were running out of time but not out of the desire score. The game remained tied 1-1 after the third period ended. Lehigh Valley dominated the shots 12-3. This was the sixth time in eight meetings that both teams played to go into overtime.
In overtime, a two-on-one play developed for the Penguins when Jordy Bellerive passed the puck to Kasper Bjorkqvist to end the game. The Penguins defeated the Phantoms 2-1.
The Phantoms finished the night with 24 shots, 0-2 on the power play, and Zane McIntyre made 26 saves. Ryan Fitzgerald earned the second star of the game.
Lehigh Valley will close out the 2021 season today at the PPL Center against the Binghamton Devils at 3:05 pm on AHL.tv.
