TONIGHT
It’s a GAMEDAY presented by MassMutual with “Los Fantasmas de Lehigh Valley” hosting “Comets de Utica” to conclude Hockey Fiesta Weekend at PPL Center celebrating the region’s Hispanic Heritage.
Lehigh Valley (23-27-11) is playing game 62 of the season and there are 15 remaining including tonight.
LAST TIME
Wade Allison broke a 2-2 tie with under 15 minutes left in the third period after Adam Johnson rushed up to win an icing race as the Phantoms defeated the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins 4-2 on Friday night at PPL Center. Ryan MacKinnon scored his first career goal in the AHL and Tanner Laczynski (5th) had a steal at the Phantoms blue-line and raced away from the pack for a breakaway beatuy against his former Ohio State teammate, Tommy Nappier. Max Willman sealed the win with a long empty-netter just before the clock hit zero. Felix Sandstrom was very strong with 29 saves on 31 shots.
RECENT TRANSACTIONS
Mar 28 – Add Will Riedell (D) – Signed PTO from Ohio State
Mar 28 – Add Darion Hanson (G) – Signed PTO from UConn
Mar 31 – Alex Kile (F) – Recalled from loan to Maine Mariners (ECHL)
Mar 31 – Brennan Saulnier (F) – Loaned to Reading Royals (ECHL)
Apr 1 – Max Willman (F) – Returned by Flyers on loan to Phantoms
Apr 1 – Felix Sandstrom (G) – Returned by Flyers on loan to Phantoms
Apr 1 – Adam Karashik (D) – Signed PTO 2021-22 season. AHL contract for 2022-23 season.
UTICA COMETS
The Utica Comets (39-14-7) are the top team in the Eastern Conference after deafeating Syracuse last night 5-3.
The Comets are in their first season as an affiliate of the New Jersey Devils after seven years with the Vancouver Canucks. Utica is the top scoring team in the conference at 3.54 goals per game and its 22.9% conversaion rate on the power play is second-best in the conference (behind Rochester). The Comets are also second-best in defense in the Eastern Conference allowing a palty 2.72 goals per game. Hard-shooting first-rounder Alexander Holtz is second among AHL rookies with 22 goals. Former Binghamton Devils forward Fabian Zetterlund leads the team in scoring with 24-28-52. The Phantoms are 1-1-1 against Utica including a New Year’s Eve rally in central NY when Lehigh Valley posted a 6-5 overtime win after trailing 4-0 and 5-1.
Former Flyers captain Kevin Dineen is the head coach of the Comets.
PHANTASTIC!
– Five Phantoms players have made their NHL debuts this season: Max Willman, Felix Sandstrom, Linus Sandin, Isaac Ratcliffe, Hayden Hodgson
– Ryan MacKinnon had never played forward until this season. After being pressed into emergency duty up front, MacKinnon has maintained a place in the lineup as a right wing. The Summerside, Prince Edward Island native has played in the ECHL with Worcester for most of his career. Friday night vs. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton he scored his first career AHL goal.
– Wade Allison has scored 5-5-10 in seven gams since returning to the lineup March 11.
– Cal O’Reilly has 18 goals this season to equal a personal high. The 35-year-old captain of the Phantoms also had 18 goals in a season 15 years ago in the 2006-07 season when he was a 20-year-old rookie with the Milwaukee Admirals. Cal has five goals in his last five games including a pair of two-goal games.
– The Phantoms have played 60 games and have 16 remaining in the 2021-22 regular season.
Upcoming Schedule
Saturday, April 2 vs. Utica Comets (7:05) (PPL CENTER) – Hockey Fiesta Weekend
Sunday, April 3 at Bridgeport Islanders (3:00)
Wednesday, April 6 at Wilkes-Barres/Scranton Penguins (7:05)
Friday, April 8 vs. Hershey Bears (7:05) (PPL CENTER) – Postgame Skate, US Senior Open Night
Sunday, April 10 at Bridgeport Islanders (3:00)
Monday, April 11 at Providence Bruins (7:05)
Broadcast coverage of all Phantoms games, home and away, is available on the Phantoms 365 app and on 1470-WSAN. Fans can watch on AHLTV.com and can listen on their Smart Speakers at: “Play Phantoms Radio 24/7.” Join Voice of the Phantoms, Bob Rotruck, for all the action!
