The Lehigh Valley Phantoms (37-29-6) wrapped up the 2022-23 season on Saturday night from the Giant Center against the Hershey Bears (44-19-9) for the fourteenth and final meeting of the season. Coming into this game, the Phantoms were 3-9-1 against Hershey this year.
There were a couple of minor lineup changes before the game as Brendan Furry was in for Cal O’Reilly and played on the first line playing winger. Cates was moved to center, and Wyatte Wylie returned for defenseman Will Zmolek.
In addition to O’Reilly and Zmolek, Troy Grosenick, Adam Karashik, Egor Zamula, Ryan Fitzgerald, Hayden Hodgson, and Matt Brown were out for this game. Sam Ersson (24-17-2, 2.84 GAA, .900 SV%) started in goal with Nolan Maier backing him up.
Lehigh Valley had four shots in the first three minutes and forty-five seconds of the first period but they could not score. Later, Ronnie Attard got called on a hooking penalty. Fifteen seconds after the Phantoms killed the power play, Hershey scored.
Hershey was quick with the puck and their setup. Their quickness and great stickwork made it hard for the Phantoms to keep up. Bobby Nardella (6) made a slapshot over the right shoulder of Ersson and into the net for a 1-0 lead. Garrett Pilon (18), and Joe Snively (17) assisted with his goal.
Twenty-five seconds later, the Phantoms tied the game. Kevin Connauton sent the puck toward the right corner of the net for a tie-up. Garrett Wilson (25) got the puck and passed it to Elliot Desnoyers (21), who tried to take a shot from the corner of the net. As Hershey goalie Hunter Shepard tried to swat the puck away, it made its way past him. Bobby Brink(12) was rushing toward the net without Shepard seeing him and he fired the puck over Shepard’s right pad and into the net. The game was tied 1-1 with 11:18 left.
After tying the game, Lehigh Valley had a power play opportunity on a tripping call against Bobby Nardella but could not score. The Phantoms had eight shots in the period. Their defense struggled to protect Sam Ersson as Hershey made 12 shots. The Phantoms did get some chances at Shepard late in the period but it remained tied 1-1 after one period.
Four minutes and eight seconds into the second period, Hershey took a 2-1 lead when Mike Vecchione’s (31) shot was tipped in by Ethen Frank (28) over Ersson’s stick and into the net. Gabriel Carlsson (14) picked up the secondary assists.
Thirty-six seconds later, the Phantoms tied the game. Tyson Foerster (28) stole the puck inside Hershey’s zone and passed it to Brendan Furry (1). Furry cut across the net and whisked it over Shepard’s glove and into the net. It was now 2-2 with 15:16 left.
Three minutes and six seconds later, Ethan Frank struck again. Vincent Iorio (19) led the rush inside the Phantoms’ zone before jamming the brakes and making a circle before finding Ethan Frank (29) and he fired it over Ersson’s glove and into the net for a 3-2 lead. Mike Vecchione (32) picked up his second assist of the game.
It is amazing to see the talent level between Hershey and Lehigh Valley. Hershey has a well-built structure. Everyone knows where they need to be at all times and the Phantoms looked confused at times and could not keep up with Hershey. Lehigh Valley would get a jolt of energy but it quickly faded away.
Five minutes later, the Phantoms found a way to tie the game again. Brendan Furry (1) passed the puck to Louie Belpedio (8). Belpedio took a shot but it bounced off a Hershey defender and recovered. Then, he took another shot from the right circle and it went over Shepard’s left pad and into the net. It was now 3-3 with 7:32 left.
Late in the period, the Phantoms almost had another goal by Garrett Wilson but Hunter Shepard covered it up to stop play. Lehigh Valley had two more shots before the period ended. Hershey’s defender Dylan McIlrath went to the penalty box for tripping. Lehigh Valley had 47 seconds left of power play time to begin the third period tied 3-3. They had eight shots in the period.
Another group who wanted to make noise to end the regular season was the officials. Five minutes and fifty-nine seconds into the third period, Bobby Nardella (7) scored to make it 4-3 with 14:01 left. What was bad about this play is the game went on for another two minutes before a promo timeout and the officials decided to look at the replay before ruling it a good goal. Joe Snively (18) and Vincent Iorio (20) assisted with his goal.
While it was the correct call, the fact that is it went an additional two minutes and the goal should not have counted. If the refs would’ve blown the whistle after that play, then they could review the play but once it passed a minute or two, it should have been thrown out.
This is where I would like to see a sky judge next season in hockey. They need a fifth official sitting in the booth to watch the game and make quick calls. Sure, it might slow the game down a bit, but if they can get the calls corrected, then this would not have been an issue.
The replay showed the Phantoms scrambling to get the puck out of the net but it completely crossed the goal line. I couldn’t help but relive the time the Phantoms scored two overtime goals in New Jersey during the covid season and one of them was in front of the ref and he ruled it a no-goal even though it went completely in.
It’s just a bad look as it has been all season. The league needs to get these refs in order next season otherwise the product will continue to decline.
Later in the third period, Ethan Frank (30) stole the puck to start an odd-man rush with Mason Morelli (29). Frank went to Morelli before Morelli went to Frank and he fired it over Ersson’s left shoulder and into the net to complete the hat trick. Frank now has nine goals against the Phantoms this year. It was 5-3 with 4:06 left.
The Phantoms quickly responded when Brendan Furry (2) passed the puck to Olle Lycksell (14) from the left corner and Lycksell shot the puck through the five-hole and into the net. It was now 5-4 with 2:30 left and Adam Brooks (25) picked up the secondary assists.
Lehigh Valley pulled Sam Ersson late in the period and Hershey put the game away on an empty net goal by Shane Gersich (9) with 1:43 left. The Phantoms went on to drop their third straight game with a 6-4 loss to Hershey as they get ready for the playoffs. The Phantoms finish the season 3-10-1 against Hershey this year.
Lehigh Valley did not have a good week. They started the week in third place with a home-field advantage in the first round at their fingertips. Now, they will either head to Springfield or Charlotte in the first round.
The Phantoms finished the night with 24 shots, 0-3 on the power play, and Sam Ersson made 22 saves. On the other side, Hershey had 28 shots, 0-3 on the power play, and Hunter Shepard made 20 saves.
Springfield and Providence play on Sunday and once that game gets done, the playoff schedule will be released. Once it is released, check back at BGMSportsTrax for the full playoff schedule.
