The Lehigh Valley Phantoms started preseason play Wednesday night at the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. Kirill Ustimenko was the goaltender for the Phantoms.
A minute and forty-six seconds in the first period, the Penguins struck first with a goal by forward Jamie Devane (1) with assists from Patrick Watling (1) and former Phantom Chris Bigras (1).
Twenty-one seconds into the second period, Penguins forward Jan Drozg (1) made it 2-0 with assists from Sam Houde (1) and Josh Maniscalco (1).
The Phantoms went on the power play after a delay of game call against Penguins forward Matt Alfaro. Lehigh Valley cut the 2-1 on a power-play goal by defensemen Quinn Schmiemann (1), with assists from Samu Tuomaala (1) and Charlie Gerard (1).
The Phantoms pulled Ustimenko with under a minute left in the third period but could not tie the game as the Penguins won 2-1.
The Phantoms edged the Penguins in shots 21-20. Kirill Ustimenko finished the night with 18 of 20 saves. The Phantoms went one for four on the power play.
The Lehigh Valley Phantoms will be at the PPL Center for the second preseason game on Saturday, October 9th, at 7 pm against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.
