Phantoms Lineup

Ryan Fitzgerald – Cal O’Reilly – Tyson Foerster

Isaac Ratcliffe – Chris Mueller – Zayde Wisdom

Garrett Wilson – Connor Bunnaman – Linus Sandin

Brennan Saulnier – Tanner MacMaster- Max Willman

Tyler Wotherspoon – Linus Hogberg

Egor Zamula – Logan Day

Chris Bigras – Derrick Pouliot

Zane McIntyre – Eamon McAdam

Mason Millman, Maksim Sushko, Ralph Cuddemi, Pascal Laberge, David Kase

Kirill Ustimenko (hip surgery)

Game Report

Game Report written by Amy Johnson

Just a few nights ago, the Phantoms and Bears met on the PPL Center ice in a game that saw young prospects like Tyson Foerster and Cam York propel Lehigh Valley to a 5-3 victory.

On Saturday afternoon, the two state rivals met for one final time this season. Even though the teams weren’t playing for postseason positioning, there was still plenty on the line in today’s game. With Hershey sitting atop the North Division standings, and Lehigh Valley nipping at their heels, both teams were hoping for a regulation win to help get them closer to clinching the division championship.

First Period

In typical Hershey fashion, they managed to find a way to strike first in this one…with a little help from their opponents.  Axel Jonsson-Fjallby scored his 10th of the season when he whipped the puck on net from the circle and it rebounded off of Zane McIntyre. The bouncing rebound then deflected directly off of Phantoms defenseman Derrick Pouliot and into the net.

Only one penalty was called in the opening frame, a hooking call against Eddie Wittchow, and while Lehigh Valley, and particularly Foerster, did get some decent shots on the man advantage, they weren’t able to capitalize and even the score.

The remainder of the period was largely controlled by Lehigh Valley, outshooting the home team 13-7 before heading off for intermission.

Second Period

The ice tilted a bit in the opposite direction for the bulk of the second period, as Hershey began to find some offensive life. Lehigh Valley was unsuccessful yet again on an early power play opportunity, but also managed to kill of their first penalty when Foerster was called for hooking.

Exiting the penalty box, Foerster connected with a stretch pass for a big breakaway opportunity, but Pheonix Copley shut the door on him. After that big save, the Bears seemed to get energized and really began to put together some sustained offensive zone pressure.

Then, just over 12 minutes into the period, Hershey doubled their score when Philippe Maillet fed the puck up to the slot from down low. Joe Snively was there to pick it up and rip a shot past McIntyre to make it 2-0 for the Bears.

Third Period

Things just didn’t go Lehigh Valley’s way in the third period, either. Copley stood tall in net, and made sure that the Phantoms couldn’t get anywhere near the goal line. For much of the frame, the visiting team looked a bit deflated and with a little less energy, as they seemed to see the writing on the wall that they weren’t going to come out on top of this one.

At one point, Hershey had a goal immediately waved off when they thought they had gotten another one past McIntyre, but late in the period they made it count after Scott Gordon had pulled his netminder early for an extra attacker. 

The puck was bobbled at the Phantoms’ blue line, and Hershey took full advantage to put it right into their empty net and secure Copley’s 100th AHL victory.

What’s Next?

Plus / Minus

▲  Tyson Foerster, Isaac Ratcliffe, Max Willman

▼  Derrick Pouliot, Zayde Wisdom