PREVIEW: Phantoms vs. Rocket, Game #11

Saturday, November 12 at 7:05 p.m.
Lehigh Valley Phantoms (4-5-1) vs. Laval Rocket (3-6-3)
PPL Center, Allentown, PA

TONIGHT – The Lehigh Valley Phantoms seek their third straight win a they also conclude a quick two-game homestand in tonight’s matchup against the Laval Rocket, AHL affiliate of the Montreal Canadiens.
Tonight’s game 90’s Night at PPL Center and it is also Scout Night.

LAST TIME – Cooper Marody was outstanding in his first-ever game at PPL Center with an early goal and a late assist as the Phantoms hung on against the Springfield Thunderbirds 2-1 on Friday night. Marody scored the team’s fastest goal of the season just 1:57 into the game and then had a slick assist through traffic to connect with a cutting Louie Belpedio early in the third period for the game-winner. Sam Ersson was outstanding between the pipes with 21 saves making several of his strongest denials in a 12-save first period.

LONG TIME COMING – After missing almost a month with an injury, Marody didn’t take long to get to the swing of things at his new home. The former Bakersfield Condor scored a rebound goal off an Adam Ginning backhander just seconds into his first-ever shift in Allentown. The goal just 1:57 into the game was also the team’s fastest conversion of the season. He later had a creative assist from the left boards shortly after a faceoff win to set up Belpedio’s winner. Marody had been a draft selection of the Philadelphia Flyers six years ago but had never played in the organization before this year. His rights were traded while he was still at the University of Michigan. After back-to-back 21-goal campaigns with Bakersfield, he returned to the organization that drafted him but had been sidelined during Flyers Training Camp and into the early season with an injury. Marody played on October 15 in the team’s first game of the season at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton but had been shut down from game-action for almost a month before his breakout night on Friday against Springfield.

RECENT TRANSACTIONS – 
Goalie Sam Ersson was briefly recalled to the Flyers on Tuesday while Carter Hart sat out due to illness. But he returned to the Phantoms on Wednesday.
Goalie Nolan Maier was recalled from the ECHL Reading Royals. Pat Nagle was returned to Reading.

ABOUT THE ROCKET – Anthony Richard scored twice, including the overtime winner, and Laval ended a three-game losing slide with a 5-4 victory at the Utica Comets on Friday. Popular former Phantom Danick Martel scored his first of the year. The Rocket advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals last year before falling to Springfield in a seven-game series. Martel had four goals in a single game in playoff game against Rochester.
Goaltender Cayden Primeau (2-3-2, 3.15, .900) is the son of former Flyers captain Keith Primeau and grew up in the Philadelphia area. The Canadiens’ seventh-round selection in 2017 played in 12 games with Montreal last year and has 18 career NHL games. Two years ago, Primeau had a 20-save shutout against Lehigh Valley.
Veteran Gabriel Bourque has played 413 games in the NHL with Nashville, Colorado and Winnipeg. Justin Barron is a former Colorado first-rounder who was acquired in a trade. Barron was former teammates with Elliot Desnoyers with the Halifax Mooseheads.

PHANTASTIC!
– The Phantoms have outshot their opponents in four of the last five games. Friday they limited Springfield to a season-best 22 shots allowed.
– The Phantoms are 2-1 in overtime games.
– Seven of ten games this season have been decided by one goal.
– The Phantoms had their four-game streak of scoring a power-play goal ended by going only 0-for-1 against Springfield
– Lehigh Valley’s power play at 24.3% is 7th in the AHL
– The Phantoms are playing only four home games in November

Phantoms Scoring Leaders
Tyson Foerster 2-5-7
Cam York 2-5-7
Olle Lycksell 2-4-6
Garrett Wilson 2-4-6
Cal O’Reilly 2-4-6
Elliot Desnoyers 3-2-5
Ronnie Attard 2-3-5

Laval Rocket Scoring Leaders Scoring Leaders
Anthony Richard 8-4-12
Xavier Simoneau 3-5-8
Jesse Ylonen 3-5-8
Brandon Gignac 2-6-8
Gabriel Bourque 6-0-6

SPECIAL TEAMS – 
Lehigh Valley Power Play – 24.3% (7th)
Lehigh Valley Penalty Kill – 65.9% (32nd)
Laval Power Play – 21.4% (15th)
Laval Penalty Kil – 69.4% (31st)

UP NEXT – 
The Phantoms will play their next four games on the road beginning next Friday, November 18 at the Providence Bruins. Lehigh Valley’s next home game is Saturday, November 26 against the Rochester Americans featuring a Postgame Skate with the Phantoms players. Fans must bring their own skates to be allowed onto the ice to meet the players after the game.

 

PROMOTIONS – 
– All 90s Ticket Special! One ticket for 90s Night Phantoms game on Saturday, November 12 PLUS one ticket for “I Love the 90s” concert with Vanilla Ice on Saturday, November 18. Get the All 90s package for just $39!
– Bring your gently used coats during the day on Friday, November 11 for our WFMZ-69 Phantoms Coat Drive. Fans who stop by between 9-5 with a coat donation will receive TWO TICKETS to the game!
– Black Friday Sale!! Mark your calendars. Friday, November 25 from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. it’s 30% OFF at the Phan Shop inside PPL Center. Discounts apply to most items (not game-worn jerseys or customization). Great gifts for your friends and family at the Phantoms Black Friday Sale!

PHANTOMS GAME TICKETS

 

Upcoming Schedule –
Saturday, November 12 (7:05) vs. Laval Rocket – 90’s Night! Saturday Night Hockey Live

Friday, November 18 (7:05) at Providence Bruins
Saturday, November 19 (7:05) at Providence Bruins
Sunday, November 20 (3:05) at Springfield Thunderbirds

Friday, November 25 (7:05) at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
Saturday, November 26 (7:05) vs. Rochester Americans – POSTGAME SKATE WITH PHANTOMS PLAYERS!