For the final time of the 2021-22 season at the PPL Center, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms (29-32-15) took on their in-state rivals Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (35-33-8).
There were some lineup changes. Felix Sandstrom, Linus Hogberg, and Egor Zamula returned from their stints with the Philadelphia Flyers. Meanwhile, Maksim Sushko, Garrett Wilson, and Cooper Zech returned from their injuries.
Felix Sandstrom (15-18-5, 2.96 GAA, .900 SV%) started in goal for the Phantoms, while the Penguins started Alex D’Orio (7-9-4, 2.91 GAA, .894 SV%).
The Phantoms’ scratches for the game were Tanner Laczynski, Ryan Fitzgerald, Jackson Cates, Colin Felix, Nick Lappin, Will Riedell, Ryan MacKinnon, Hayden Hodgson, Sam Ersson, Darion Hanson, and Kirill Ustimenko.
Twenty-eight seconds into the first period, the Phantoms took a 1-0 lead. Phantoms’ forward Cal O’Reilly (32) fired the puck, hitting the end boards. Then, Linus Sandin (8) rebounded the puck and fired it past D’Orio’s right skate and into the net for the goal. Cooper Zech (10) got the secondary assist.
After the goal, there were a lot of back-and-fourths and end-to-end action. The Phantoms had five more chances to add to their lead. Meanwhile, the Penguins started to pressure the Phantoms’ zone midway through the first period. Felix Sandstrom made ten saves, and the Phantoms led the Penguins 1-0 after one period. The Penguins led the shots 10-6.
In the second period, Penguins’ defenseman Cam Lee cross-checked Phantoms’ forward Max Willman, putting Lehigh Valley on their first power-play. Unfortunately, the Phantoms were unable to capitalize.
Then, with 7:13 left, the Penguins got away with a penalty after defenseman Juuso Riikola tripped Charlie Gerard. However, with 5:04 left, the Phantoms went on their second power-play after Cal O’Reilly was hooked by Jordy Bellerive, putting the Phantoms on their second power-play.
During the power-play, the Phantoms were setting up a shot inside the Penguins’ zone. Phantoms’ forward Isaac Ratcliffe made a nice cross-ice pass around Penguins’ defenseman Will Reilly in the direction of Cal O’Reilly. From inside the left circle, O’Reilly fired the puck past D’Orio to the top right corner and into the net for a 2-0 lead with 3:59 left in the second period. Adam Clendening (37) got the secondary assist.
The Phantoms added another goal late in the second period with twenty-one seconds left. Linus Hogberg (8) made a long pass to Isaac Ratcliffe (11) for the breakaway. Ratcliffe shot the puck through the five-hole and into the net for a 3-0 lead. Logan Day (13) got the secondary assist. The Phantoms led 3-0 after two periods and led the shots 20-14.
In the third period, Penguins’ forward Cam Lee was called for a delay of game with 11:11 left, putting the Phantoms on their third power-play. However, they could not score and were now 1/3 on the power-play.
Meanwhile, Penguins’ forward Cam Lee took a shot that hit the left pad of Phantoms’ goalie Felix Sandstrom. However, the Penguins did not pull their goalie late in the game, and the Phantoms got control of the puck and killed the clock. As a result, the Phantoms defeated the Penguins 3-0.
The Phantoms finished the night with 29 shots, 1/3 on the power-play, and Felix Sandstrom recorded his first shutout of the season with 26 saves.
To sum up the 2021-22 Phantoms. It’s been a roller coaster full of ups and downs. This team fought hard all season long. It’s hard to say farewell to those heading to new homes next year, but we wish them all the best. Till then, see you for the 2022-23 season.
