Phantoms Weekly – Phantoms Welcome Binghamton to PPL Center This Wednesday

January 24, 2017

This Week

Wednesday, January 25 (7:05 p.m.) – Binghamton Senators @ Lehigh Valley Phantoms

Friday, January 27 (7:05 p.m.) – Lehigh Valley Phantoms @ Binghamton Senators

Saturday, January 28 (7:00 p.m.) – Lehigh Valley Phantoms @ Bridgeport Sound Tigers

Upcoming

Winners of six of their last eight games, the red-hot Lehigh Valley Phantoms (27-11-2, 56 pts., 2nd Atlantic Division) return to the frozen surface for three games this week beginning with a Wednesday evening showdown against the Binghamton Senators at PPL Center. The Phantoms enter the week second in the American Hockey League in wins (27) and third in both standings points (56) and points percentage (0.700).

Lehigh Valley’s action this week begins on Wednesday, January 25 when the Binghamton Senators invade downtown Allentown for a 7:05 p.m. showdown. Binghamton (18-19-3, 39 pts., 5th North Division) won both of its games last weekend and enters the week having claimed eight of its last 10 games overall. After a 4-2 victory over the Syracuse Crunch last Saturday, the Senators followed that up with a 3-2 overtime triumph on home ice over the Springfield Thunderbirds.

Wednesday’s contest will mark the third of six total meetings during the 2016-2017 regular season between the Phantoms and Senators with Lehigh Valley having claimed each of the first two head-to-head showdowns. The Phantoms opened the season series with a 1-0 shutout victory in Binghamton on November 23 and followed that up with a 4-3 triumph over the Senators at PPL Center just two days later. A limited number of tickets remain for Wednesday’s contest and can be purchased online HERE.

The Phantoms and Senators then renew their Eastern Conference rivalry two days later when they reconvene at the Floyd L. Maines Veterans Memorial Arena in Binghamton for a 7:05 p.m. tilt.

Lehigh Valley then plays its final game before the All-Star break on Saturday, January 28 when the Phantoms head up to Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport for a meeting with the Sound Tigers. Bridgeport (22-15-2, 46 pts., 4th Atlantic Division) won all three of its games last weekend and enters the week in the midst of a four-game winning streak. After a 5-3 road victory in Springfield last Friday, the Sound Tigers returned home and claimed a 4-3 win over the Toronto Marlies on Saturday before capturing a 3-1 triumph over the Rochester Americans. During its four-game streak, Bridgeport has outscored its opposition 17-10.

Saturday’s contest will mark the sixth of eight total meetings during the 2016-17 regular season between the Phantoms and Sound Tigers with Lehigh Valley having posted a 2-3 mark against Bridgeport to date. The Phantoms, however, have claimed each of the last two head-to-head collisions with a 3-2 win in Bridgeport on December 4 followed by an 8-6 victory at PPL Center 10 days later.

  • Phantoms By The Numbers
  • The Phantoms are currently the highest-scoring team in the American Hockey League averaging 3.68 goals per game. Much of Lehigh Valley’s production has come in the third period where the Phantoms have produced a league-best 61 goals and are outscoring their opposition 61-32 in the final frame of regulation.
  • Lehigh Valley is 25-3-2 when scoring three or more goals this season. Meanwhile, the Phantoms are 25-3 when allowing three goals or fewer this year.
  • The Phantoms have scored at least one power play in seven of their last eight games. Lehigh Valley’s man-advantage is 13-for-41 (31.7 percent) during that stretch. The Phantoms lead the Eastern Conference with 47 power play conversions and their man-advantage is third overall (first in the Eastern Conference) at 24.1 percent.
  • All-Star forward Jordan Weal is currently first among Lehigh Valley skaters and third among active AHLers in total scoring with 39 points (13 goals, 26 assists) this season. Weal has tallied at least one point in 13 of his last 15 games overall and has produced an impressive 15 points (4 goals, 11 assists) during his recent surge.
  • Forward Greg Carey currently leads all Phantoms and is the AHL’s active leader with 22 goals this season. He’s found the back of the net in nine of Lehigh Valley’s last 15 games and has compiled 11 goals over that stretch.
  • Forward Scott Laughton (right) has been on a tear in recent weeks having recorded at least one point in seven of his last eight games. Laughton has compiled eight points (5 goals, 3 assists) and has found the back of the net in five of his last eight games.

Last Week

Friday, January 20: WB/Scranton Penguins 3 – Lehigh Valley Phantoms 5

The line of Taylor Leier (goal, 2 assists), Colin McDonald (3 assists) and Scott Laughton (goal) combined for seven points as the Phantoms downed the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins 5-3 in front of 8,428 fans at PPL Center. Robert Hagg (3rd) and Chris Conner (10th) also found the back of the net for Lehigh Valley along with T.J. Brennan (12th) who moved into sole possession of third place on the AHL’s all-time list for goals scored by a defenseman (125).

Goaltender Anthony Stolarz backstopped the victory between the pipes with a 34-save performance while Lehigh Valley’s special teams (1-for-4 on the power play, 5-for-5 on the penalty kill) was pivotal once again in securing another Phantoms victory.

Saturday, January 21: Providence Bruins 9 – Lehigh Valley Phantoms 1

Phantoms captain Colin McDonald converted his 15th goal of the season and Lehigh Valley enjoyed its seventh standing room-only crowd of the year but it was the visiting Providence Bruins who emerged victorious in a 9-1 decision in front of 8,726 fans inside PPL Center. Taylor Leier and Scott Laughton collected assists in the contest while goaltenders Alex Lyon and Mark Dekanich combined for 38 total saves.

Peter Cehlarik (2 goals, assist), Jordan Szwarz (goal, 3 assists), Wayne Simpson (goal, 2 assists) and Chris Casto (3 assists) paced the offensive effort for the Bruins while netminder Malcolm Subban earned the victory in goal with 28 saves on 29 Phantoms shots.

Sunday, January 22: Lehigh Valley Phantoms 5 – Hershey Bears 1

Greg Carey scored his league-leading 22nd goal of the season and Andy Miele added three assists as the Phantoms earned a convincing 5-1 win at Giant Center in Hershey over the Bears. Colin McDonald (16th), Jordan Weal (13th), Chris Conner (11th) and Scott Laughton (8th) also found the back of the net for Lehigh Valley in front of goaltender Alex Lyon who earned his Eastern Conference-leading 17th victory of the season thanks to 25 saves on 26 Hershey shots.

McDonald’s goal extended his scoring streak to four consecutive games while Laughton’s tally marked the fifth time over his last eight games in which he’s converted.

With Sunday’s win, the Phantoms are now 5-4 overall against Hershey and have claimed four of the last six head-to-head meetings.

Broadcast Coverage

Service Electric’s TV2 Sports will be broadcasting live all of the Phantoms’ 18 remaining regular season home games. If you can’t make it out to the rink, be sure to catch all the exciting action live in HD quality with Steve Degler, Todd Fedoruk, Doug Heater and Kristi Fulkerson! Pre-game coverage begins with “Phantoms Front and Center” 30 minutes before puck drop. And don’t miss “Phantoms – Breaking the Ice” every Monday from 7:00 – 7:30 p.m. throughout the season live at Chickie’s & Pete’s at PPL Center!

Be sure to also catch each and every Phantoms game this season live on 1470-AM WSAN, 790-AM WAEB or via the iHeartRadio app! Join Voice of the Phantoms, Bob Rotruck, for all of the heart-pumping action of Lehigh Valley Phantoms hockey whether the team is at home or on the road. “Countdown to Faceoff” begins 45 minutes prior to puck drop.

Ticket Information

Tickets for each of the Phantoms’ 18 remaining regular season home games are available now online at pplcenter.com, by calling 610-347-TIXX [8499] or in-person at the PPL Center Box Office [7th & Hamilton].

RISE UP! Another thrilling season of Lehigh Valley Phantoms hockey at PPL Center is underway! Reserve your season tickets and group outings for the 2016-2017 season of Phantoms hockey today. For more information on how to reserve your seat at PPL Center to the hottest ticket in town, call the Phantoms front office today at 610-224-GOAL [4625].