Wednesday, November 30 at 7:05 p.m.
Lehigh Valley Phantoms (8-6-2) vs. Hershey Bears (13-4-2)
PPL Center, Allentown, PA
TONIGHT
The Lehigh Valley Phantoms host the Hershey Bears in a rivalry night clash at PPL Center. It is the first midweek game of the season for Lehigh Valley.
Lehigh Valley (8-6-2) is 6-1-1 in its last eight games and is coming off a 5-1 win over Rochester on Saturday. Second-place Hershey (13-4-2) has won four straight, all by one goal, and is 11-2-0 in its last 13 games. The Bears lead the season series 2-0. This is the first of seven visits to Center City Allentown for the Chocolate and White.
The different military branches will be honored throughout the evening on Military Appreciation Night presented by Netizen. Thanks to our sponsors and fans who have donated tickets that have been distributed to area heroes.
LAST TIME
Phantoms 5 – Americans 1
It was a dominating rout over Rochester at PPL Center on Saturday in a complete performance that has to rate as the team’s best overall game of the season. The Phantoms’ first home game in two weeks saw Olle Lycksell blast home one goal while also contributing three assists to mark the first time this season a Phantom had four points in a game. NHL veteran of 771 games Artem Anisimov scored twice for his first goals in the AHL since 2009. Tyson Foerster (5th) and Elliot Desnoyers (7th) also found the back of the net. Lehigh Valley outshot Rochester 40-15 including by a 35-7 margin in the first 40 minutes. The game set a Lehigh Valley record for fewest shots allowed and fell one shy of the all-time franchise record held by the Philadelphia Phantoms.
TRANSACTIONS
Nov 28 – Delete Egor Zamula (D) – Recalled to Philadelphia (NHL)
Nov 29 – Delete Nolan Maier (G) – Loaned to Reading (ECHL)
Nov 29 – Delete Charlie Gerard (F) – Loaned to Reading (ECHL)
Nov 29 – Add Jackson Cates (F) – Assigned from Philadelphia (NHL)
ERSSON ON THE MEND
Sam Ersson missed both games last weekend with an illness but has been skating with the team in practices again in advance of his possible return to game action. Through November, Ersson has thrived as the team’s everyday goalie and now has a five-game win streak on the heels of picking up his first career pro win on November 5 at Laval. Since November 5, Ersson has been especially strong: 5-0-0, 1.76, .940
ABOUT THE BEARS
Hershey (13-4-2) arrives to PPL Center on a four-game win streak and winners in 11 of its last 13. The Bears followed up their 1-0 shootout win at Hartford on Saturday with a 4-3 shootout win at home on Tuesday over Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. This is Game 3 out of 14 in the rivalry series this season. Hunter Sheppard (6-0-2, 1.83, .932) is 2nd in the AHL in GAA while Zach Fucale (7-4-0, 2.00, .913) isn’t far behind in fourth. The Bears are a league-best for goals against (2.1) and shots allowed (25) per contest and their 86.2% penalty kill is second. Mason Morelli (3-10-13) leads the Bears in scoring while former Phantom, Mike Vecchione (5-7-12), is next and has two goals and two assists against his ex-team.
PHANTASTIC!
– Lehigh Valley has points in seven of the last eight games with a 6-1-1 mark.
– Rookie Elliot Desnoyers is on a two-game goal streak and has scored four goals in the last six games. He leads the Phantoms with seven goals.
– Tyson Foerster has a five-game point streak which is the longest for the Phantoms this season. He also has a two-game goal streak.
– Lehigh Valley’s top five scorers are all rookies or young prospects: Tyson Foerster (5-7-12), Cam York (5-7-12), Olle Lycksell (3-8-11), Elliot Desnoyers (7-2-9), Ronnie Attard (4-5-9)
– The Phantoms are 6-2-2 in one-goal games and 10 of the team’s 16 games have been decided by a single goal.
– The Phantoms have 40 shots or more in three of the last four games. They have 34 or more shots in five consecutive games as well as seven out of nine games in November.
– The Phantoms are 3-2 in decisions after regulation having gone 2-1 in overtime and 1-1 in shotoouts.
Phantoms Scoring Leaders
Tyson Foerster 5-7-12
Cam York 5-7-12
Olle Lycksell 3-8-11
Elliot Desnoyers 7-2-9
Ronnie Attard 4-5-9
Hershey Scoring Leaders
Mason Morelli 4-10-14
Mike Vecchione 6-7-13
Hendrix Lapierre 4-9-13
Henrik Borgstrom 5-5-10
Sam Anas 4-6-10
SPECIAL TEAMS
Lehigh Valley Power Play – 21.3% (14th)
Lehigh Valley Penalty Kill – 67.6% (31st)
Hershey Power Play – 18.3% (22nd)
Hershey Penalty Kill – 87.1% (2nd)
UP NEXT
Lehigh Valley travels to North Carolina for a pair of games at the Charlotte Checkers this Friday and Saturday. The next home games for the Phantoms are December 9-10 against Charlotte.
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
Saturday, November 26 (7:05) vs. ROCHESTER AMERICANS
Wednesday, November 30 (7:05) vs. HERSHEY BEARS
Friday, December 2 (7:00) at Charlotte Checkers
Saturday, December 3 (6:00) at Charlotte Checkers
Wednesday, December 7 (7:00) at Hartford Wolf Pack
UPCOMING PROMOTIONS
Wednesday, November 30 (7:05) vs. Hershey Bears – Military Appreciation Night Presented by Netizen
Friday, December 9 (7:05) vs. Charlotte Checkers – Berks $1 Hot Dogs!
Saturday, December 10 (7:05) vs. Charlotte Checkers – Phantoms Hat Giveaway Presented by Service Electric
Saturday, December 17 (7:05) vs. Providence Bruins – Teddy Bear Toss Presented by Big Woody’s
Broadcast coverage of all Phantoms games with Bob Rotruck is available on the Phantoms 365 app and on Real Oldies 1470-AM in Allentown. Also available on the Listen Live button at phantomshockey.com
Fans can also watch the games on AHLTV.com or can listen on their Smart Speakers at: “Play Phantoms Radio 24/7.”
