Friday, February 3, 2023 at 7:05 p.m.
Lehigh Valley Phantoms (21-16-5) vs. Providence Bruins (25-9-9)
PPL Center, Allentown, PA
TONIGHT
The Lehigh Valley Phantoms (21-16-5) wrap up their five-game homestand taking on the second-place Providence Bruins in an Atlantic Division showdown at PPL Center. The Phantoms have moved up to fourth place following their 5-2 win over Hershey on Wednesday and also stand just three points back of third-place Charlotte. Providence (25-9-9) has been closing the gap on the first-place Hershey Bears are currently stands just two points out of the top spot. Lehigh Valley is 3-0-1 against Providence this season. The visiting team has won every game of the season series.
The Phantoms are 2-2-0 on their homestand.
Tonight’s game is Phantoms Premier Member Appreciation Night with lots of great prizes for our most loyal fans plus EVERY Friday game includes Berks $1 Hot Dogs.
LAST TIME
Wednesday, February 1, 2023
Phantoms 5 – Bears 2
It was a strong bounce-back night for the Phantoms who strung together an impressive four-goal sequence in just six minutes during the second period as part of a 5-2 rout of first-place Hershey on Wednesday at PPL Center. Cooper Marody racked up three assists in his return to the lineup while Louie Belpedio (5th), Bobby Brink (5th), Kevin Connauton (2nd), Tyson Foerster (16th) and Olle Lycksell (8th) with an empty-netter all scored goals in the balanced attack.
TYSON’S TALLIES
Tyson Foerster has scored two goals in a game in each of the last three Fridays including January 13 against Bridgeport, January 20 at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and January 27 at home against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
Foerster has scored eight of his team-leading 16 goals since January 1.
HELPING HAND
Cooper Marody became the third Phantom to register three assists in a game this season. The Brighton, Michigan native had missed the previous five games with an injury and returned to the lineup with a big night. He also almost scored a goal in the first of period of Wednesday’s 5-2 win against Hershey but his celebration was cut short when the goal was waived off due to goaltender interference. The University of Michigan product had not recorded a three-assist performance since April 10, 2019 as a professional with the Bakersfield Condors when he had a career-high 64 points including 45 helpers. Olle Lycksell (twice) and Adam Ginning have also noticed three-assist performances for the Phantoms this season.
PHANTASTIC!
– Lehigh Valley is 7-3-2 in 2023
– The Phantoms are….
16-5-4 when scoring 3 or more goals
18-1-1 when allowing 2 goals or fewer
13-3-5 in one-goal games
11-1-5 when scoring the first goal
14-0-4 when leading after two periods
4-3 in overtime and 2-2 in shootouts
ABOUT THE BRUINS
Providence (25-9-9) arrives for the homestand finale on Friday. The away team has won every game in the season series with the Phantoms having taken three straight decisions in Rhode Island while the Bruins won in overtime in their lone visit to Allentown on December 17. Artem Anisimov scored an overtime winner for the Phantoms at Providence the night before that on December 16 in a wild 5-4 victory.
Providence had a five-game point streak snapped on Sunday in a 4-0 shutout loss to Syracuse goalie Hugo Alnefelt who stuffed the P-Bruins in an incredible 51-save performance but bounced back to post a 4-2 win at Hartford on Wednesday.
Goaltender Brandon Bussi (13-2-4, 2.20, .934) is AHL All-Star Classic bound and leads the AHL in save percentage while currently placing second in GAA. Vinni Lettieri (16-21-37) was slated to join Bussi in Laval at the All-Star Classic but was recalled to Boston and shortly thereafter placed on injured reserve following an injury at practice. Lettieri scored an overtime winner at PPL Center on December 17. Rookie talent Georgii Merkulov (9-18-27) is the team’s active scoring leader while first-rounder Fabian Lysell (8-14-22) and John Beecher (4-6-10) are dangerous as well.
Phantoms Scoring Leaders
Olle Lycksell 8-24-32
Tyson Foerster 16-13-29
Elliot Desnoyers 14-11-25
Artem Anisimov 12-9-21
Garrett Wilson 5-13-18
Providence Scoring Leaders
x Vinni Lettieri 16-21-37
Georgii Merkulov 9-18-27
Justin Brazeau 12-12-24
Luke Toporowski 11-13-24
Connor Carrick 4-19-23
Phantoms Tickets are available HERE
SPECIAL TEAMS
Lehigh Valley Power Play – 23.0%, 7th (vs. Providence, 2/14, 14.3%
Lehigh Valley Penalty Kill – 74.5%, 31st
Providence Power Play – 15.9%, 30th (vs. Lehigh Valley 3/14, 21.4%)
Providence Penalty Kill – 83.4%, 7th
UP NEXT
Lehigh Valley heads to Chocolatetown for a Saturday rematch against the Bears in the last game before the AHL All-Star Break. Tomorrow night will be the fourth meeting in 11 days between the Lehigh Valley Phantoms and Hershey Bears.
Phantoms Tickets are available HERE
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
Friday, February 3 (7:05) vs. PROVIDENCE BRUINS
Saturday, February 4 (7:00) at Hershey Bears
February 5-9 AHL All-Star Break
Friday, February 10 (7:00) at Hartford Wolf Pack
Saturday, February 11 (7:05) vs. BRIDGEPORT ISLANDERS
UPCOMING PROMOTIONS
Friday, February 3 (7:05) vs. Providence Bruins – Phantoms Premier Member Appreciation Night. Great Prizes! Berks $1 Hot Dogs
Saturday, February 11 (7:05) vs. Bridgeport Islanders – Hockey is for Everyone! Philly Special ticket packages available
Saturday, February 18 (7:05) vs. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins – United Way Housing Heroes presented by PPL
Sunday, February 19 (5:05) vs. Hershey Bears – meLVin’s Birthday with his Mascot Friends! Postgame Skate with the Phantoms Players
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.”
Service Electric Network again provides exclusive television coverage of all Phantoms home games with veteran announcer Steve Degler and Phantoms’ alum Steven Swavely on the call from the booth. Kristi Fulkerson reports from ice level and also from the Chickie’s and Pete’s studio with Dan Fremuth for pregame, intermission and postgame show analysis.
