On Saturday night at the PPL Center, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms (5-5-1) concluded a two-game homestand in a rematch against the Laval Rocket (3-7-1). The Phantoms were going for their third straight win, which started last weekend in Laval.
Before the game started, there was a late lineup change as Olle Lycksell was taken out of the lineup. While there was no transaction report as of this writing, Lycksell could be headed to the Philadelphia Flyers after Wade Allison suffered an injury during the game against the Ottawa Senators in which the Flyers lost 4-1.
Sam Ersson (3-4-1) was once again in goal as Troy Grosenick continues to recover from an injury last week. In addition to Grosenick, Linus Hogberg, Ryan Fitzgerald, Evan Barratt, Adam Brooks, Wyatte Wylie, and Hayden Hodgson were all scratched for the game.
Four minutes and two seconds into the first period, the Phantoms struck first. Zayde Wisdom (4) intercepted a Laval pass and quickly passed the puck to Jackson Cates (2). As Cates was skating with the puck, he put on the brakes and found Ronnie Attard (3) for a one-time rocket, hitting the top iron of the goal net and in for a 1-0 lead with 15:58 left.
Two minutes later, Jordy Bellerive went to the penalty box for slashing, putting Laval on their first power play. However, the power play lasted 45-seconds when Rem Pitlick was called for hooking. The Phantoms got off one shot during their short power play by Cal O’Reilly.
Then, the Phantoms went on another power play after Alex Belzile was called for interference. Once again, the Phantoms only got one shot off during the power play and were 0/2. Late in the first period, the Phantoms went on their third power play on a hooking call against Rem Pitlick for the second time. Again, the Phantoms could not capitalize and led 1-0 after one period. Laval led the shots 10-8.
Three minutes and fifty-seven seconds into the second period, Laval went on their second power play after Jackson Cates got caught hooking. Despite being a man down, the Phantoms took advantage of a shift change by Laval when Louie Belpedio (2) made a long pass to Elliot Desnoyers (4), and Desnoyers fired the puck past the right skate of Cayden Primeau for a shorthand goal. Lehigh Valley’s lead was now 2-0 with 15:10 left.
After that goal, Laval’s offense started clicking, creating scoring chances, but Sam Ersson was stopping their shots. Unfortunately, the Phantoms lost Adam Karashik after he took a hard hit against the boards by Joel Teasdale. Karashik was crawling toward the Phantoms’ bench before the whistle blew, and the trainers were able to help him off the ice and into the locker room. He did not return for the rest of the game.
Next, Laval went on their third power play after Zayde Wisdom was called for roughing. He was not happy with one of Laval’s players and let his emotions get the best of him, leading to the penalty. Luckily, the Phantoms killed the penalty.
Shortly after the power play expired, the Phantoms went on another power play. Ronnie Attard was hit with a high stick by Anthony Richard. Lehigh Valley was unable to get a shot off during the power play, therefore went 0/4.
Late in the second period, the Phantoms had four opportunities to add to their lead, but Cayden Primeau stopped their shots, and the Phantoms led 2-0 after two periods. Laval continued to lead the shots 24-17.
In the first seven minutes and eight seconds into the third period, the Phantoms committed two penalties, leading to two Laval goals. First, Garrett Wilson went to the penalty box for slashing. Then, twenty-two seconds later, Justin Barron (3) sniped the puck past Ersson’s right skate, cutting the Phantoms lead to 2-1 with 17:38 left.
Next, Louie Belpedio went to the penalty box for interference. Afterward, Jesse Ylönen (4) got the puck into the net past a sliding Sam Ersson, tying the game 2-2 with 12:52 left. The penalties continue to hurt the Phantoms, and they need to clean it up.
Nevertheless, the Phantoms found a way to get the lead back. After fighting for control of the puck, Cooper Marody (2) took control and with Max Willman alongside sprinted toward Primeau. After missing the shot, Cal O’Reilly (5) took the shot but was blocked by Primeau. Then Cam York (3) retrieved the puck and rifled it through the five-hole for a 3-2 lead with 11:22 left. The traffic helped York find the shot as Primeau was unable to locate the puck.
Finally, with 2:08 left, Laval pulled Primeau for an extra attacker, and the Phantoms were able to hold on for a 3-2 win. The Phantoms end the weekend on a three-game winning streak.
Lehigh Valley finished the night with 25 shots, 0/5 on the power play, and Sam Ersson made 31 saves. Meanwhile, Laval finished the night with 33 shots, 2/7 on the power play, and Cayden Primeau made 22 saves.
Next Friday, the Phantoms start a four-game road trip beginning in Providence against the Bruins at 7:05 pm on AHL.TV. Tickets for the game can be purchased on StubHub.
