Second Stanza Scoring Surge Sparks Sens
December 31, 2014
Binghamton, NY – The high-flying Binghamton Senators’ offense were able to overcome Lehigh Valley’s early 2-1 lead via a four-goal rally in the second period as the Phantoms dropped a New Years’ Eve decision 6-2.
Jason Akeson (7th) and Blair Jones (4th) both posted goals for the Phantoms in the first period while Brett Hextall notched a pair of assists. Akeson has now scored in back-to-back games while Jones has posted two goals in the team’s most recent three games.
Anthony Stolarz, returning to action for the first time since an injury on Friday night at Hershey, yielded five goals in just over a period-and-a-half before making way for Rob Zepp who returned to game-action for the first time since winning in his NHL debut in Winnipeg a couple weeks earlier.
The Phantoms are 2-2-0 against the Senators almost halfway through the 10-game season series. Their next chance for revenge will come on Saturday, January 17th when the Binghamton Senators visit PPL Center on Legends’ Night with Bobby Clarke.
Binghamton received goals from six different players while two posted Gordie Howe Hat Tricks.
David Dziuurzynski (3rd) and Shane Prince (11th) both scored for the Senators in the opening period which was tied 2-2.
Then the four-goal outburst in the second period for the AHL affiliates of the Ottawa Senators showed lamplighters from Cole Schneider (11th), Alex Grant (5th), Derek Grant (12th) and Matt Puempel (7th).
Both Puempel and Alex Grant recorded a goal, assist and fight in the game to receive Gordie Howe Hat Trick honors.
Ryan White made his Flyers’ organizational debut playing in the first-game of his conditioning assignment with the Phantoms. The veteran center formerly of the Montreal Canadiens recovered from surgery on a torn left pectorlis muscle on August 28 and in his first game of the season joined Lehigh Valley’s third line for much of the night serving as the pivot for wingers Austin Fyten and Andrew Gordon while also seeing time on the penalty kill.
The Phantoms outshot the Senators 35-29 in the game. Lehigh Valley was 0-for-4 on the power play while Binghamton went 1-for-5. The Phantoms conclude 2014 with a mark of 14-12-5 in 31 games played. The next 37 games of the regular season will take place in the 2015 portion of the schedule beginning this weekend with Friday and Saturday matchups down south in Norfolk, Va. against the Admirals, AHL affiliate of the Anaheim Ducks.
The next home games for Lehigh Valley are on Friday, January 16 and Saturday, January 17 against the Albany Devils and Binghamton Senators. Tickets are going fast and the Phantoms could potentially reach their eighth and ninth PPL Center sellouts of the season. The January 17th game is Legends’ Night with Bobby Clarke featuring one of hockey’s all-time greats who also was the first general manager of the Philadelphia Phantoms and helped construct Calder Cup Championship teams in 1998 and 2005.
For tickets to upcoming Phantoms games, log on PPLCenter.com or call 610-347-TIXX (8499) or stop by the Mealey’s Furniture Box Office at the main entrance of PPL Center.
Check it out! Group outings are a fun and affordable way to enjoy all the excitement of Phantoms hockey. For more information on group rates and fan experiences at PPL Center call the Phantoms front office today at 610-224-GOAL (4625)!
Lehigh Valley Phantoms 2 at Binghamton Senators 6 – Status: Final
Wednesday, December 31, 2014 – Floyd L. Maines Veterans Memorial Arena
Lehigh Valley 2 0 0 – 2
Binghamton 2 4 0 – 6
1st Period-1, Binghamton, Dziurzynski 3 (Puempel, D. Grant), 3:05. 2, Lehigh Valley, Akeson 7 (Hextall, Flemming), 8:25. 3, Lehigh Valley, Jones 4 (Akeson, Hextall), 12:42. 4, Binghamton, Prince 11 (Schneider, Camper), 17:27. Penalties-Jones Lv (fighting), 0:34; A. Grant Bng (fighting), 0:34; Claesson Bng (delay of game), 4:12; Lauridsen Lv (roughing), 19:00; Kramer Bng (roughing), 19:00.
2nd Period-5, Binghamton, Schneider 11 (Mullen, Camper), 1:41. 6, Binghamton, A. Grant 5 (Camper, Prince), 9:13 (PP). 7, Binghamton, D. Grant 12 (A. Grant), 12:32. 8, Binghamton, Puempel 7 (Wideman, D. Grant), 17:19. Penalties-Stortini Lv (fighting), 1:44; Kramer Bng (fighting), 1:44; Fyten Lv (holding), 3:27; Dzingel Bng (high-sticking), 5:40; White Lv (roughing), 8:17; Manning Lv (cross-checking), 9:00; Sdao Bng (boarding), 15:01.
3rd Period- No Scoring.Penalties-Mullen Bng (hooking), 8:21; Stortini Lv (unsportsmanlike conduct), 13:51; Manning Lv (fighting, misconduct – continuing altercation), 14:48; Puempel Bng (fighting), 14:48; Akeson Lv (high-sticking), 17:54.
Shots on Goal-Lehigh Valley 13-12-10-35. Binghamton 11-15-3-29.
Power Play Opportunities-Lehigh Valley 0 / 4; Binghamton 1 / 5.
Goalies-Lehigh Valley, Stolarz 5-6-0 (21 shots-16 saves); Zepp 8-5-1 (8 shots-7 saves). Binghamton, Greenham 7-4-1 (35 shots-33 saves).
A-4,623
Referees-Ryan Murphy (5), Tim Mayer (19).
Linesmen-John Everett (82), Francis Trempe (85).
Upcoming Home Games:
Friday, January 16, 2015, Albany Devils vs. Lehigh Valley Phantoms, 7:05 PM
Saturday, January 17, 2015, Binghamton Senators Tigers vs. Lehigh Valley Phantoms, 7:05 PM
(Legends Night! Bobby Clarke, one of hockey’s greatest legends and the architect of the Phantoms 1998 and 2005 Calder Cup championship teams, will be at the game! FREE Collector’s Edition Poster for all fans!)
Wednesday, January 21, 2015 Hershey Bears vs. Lehigh Valley Phantoms, 7:05 PM
Saturday, January 24, 2015 St. John’s IceCaps vs. Lehigh Valley Phantoms, 7:05 PM
(Free Shirt Giveaway for all fans in attendance! Specialty Jersey Night! Post-Game Jersey Auction! Inaugural Season Night!)
In their 19th season of operation, the Phantoms are currently in the midst of their Inaugural Season as the Lehigh Valley Phantoms playing at the brand-new PPL Center. Established in 1996, the Phantoms spent their first 13 seasons at the Spectrum before re-locating to Glens Falls, New York in 2009 where the team spent the next five seasons as the Adirondack Phantoms. A new era of Phantoms hockey began in the fall of 2014 when the Lehigh Valley Phantoms began play at the state-of-the-art PPL Center. Through 18 incredibly successful campaigns, the Phantoms have captured two Calder Cup Championships (1998, 2005), two Conference Championships (1998, 2005), two Regular Season Titles (1996-97, 1997-98) and four Division Championships (1996-97, 1997-98, 1998-99, 2003-04).
