“If you’re going to play hockey now, you have to be able to play. If you have the ability to fight and play, you’re an unbelievable commodity. But if you can only fight, there might be six of those guys left in the league, and I can guarantee they’re going fast.”
~Brett Hull
Let’s Go!
Here we go with year 10 of the Lehigh Valley Phantoms–of course a team with more history than just the 10 years. Still, it’s a notable milepost. Think about the different teams we’ve had; think about your favorite players and games. I don’t know how much longer I’ll be around and doing game-day columns, but it is still fun.
Players
You can find the rosters and information in the Media Kit down below, or for a more manageable printable version here: 2023 Phantoms Opening Roster
Here’s how they lined up Sunday vs Hershey in their final pre-season tilt:
13 Furry – 9 Laczynski – 29 Gendrom
17 Wilson – 91 Desnoyers – 20 Marody
46 Brown – 22 Gardner – 14 Wisdom
10 Polei – 56 Gaucher – 15 Bellerive
98 Mete – 7 Belpedio
37 Ginning – 12 Attard
5 Samson – 2 Grans
40 Petersen (31 Gahagen)
Notable scratches: 19 Allison, 24 Brooks, 27 Tuomaala, 28 Lycksell
Player Spotlight: #2 D Helge Grans
The 21yo Swede came the the Flyers organization over the offseason, from the LA Kings, as part of the deal that sent D Ivan Provorov to Columbus. He’s a big guy (6’4″) who can skate and handle the puck. I had forgotten about the trade and the return, but Grans just jumped off the ice during the preseason game I attended. He played 115 games for the AHL Ontario Reign over the past two season, and while the stats don’t look gaudy, I would be surprised if he doesn’t have his best statistical season this year. That is, as long as the Flyers don’t call him up before he gets there. For sure, he’s one to watch tonight and early on this season.
Bold Predictions
- This team will be wildly inconsistent. There’s enough veteran and youth talent on this team to play with anyone in the AHL, I believe. But, it’s not always going to look that way. The Flyers have already signaled that they will be moving players up and back from the National League club a lot this season, and that means we should expect some problems with inconsistency. They might win a bunch of games in a row and look great, and then two moves later can’t win a game at all for two weeks. I think the coaching staff should do their best to try to create consistent lines and pairs that won’t get blown up, that they can depend on as a basis night in and night out.
- The Penalty Kill will be better. The last couple seasons, whether the power play was working or not, the PK struggled. Perhaps it was getting experience for some players or perhaps the goalies played a role, but I think we’ll see some improvements on that unit this season–and the power play should be at least passable as well. Again it will be down to the coaching staff to create some consistency with the different units so that a changing roster doesn’t completely sink their chances.
- There will be more fighting. The rules are designed to minimize it. But, Garrett Wilson being named full-time Captain, he’ll set the tone, and I expect that to be a physical brand of hockey with a few guys who aren’t afraid to drop them if needed.
- There will be a playoff game at the PPL Center in April. It won’t be easy and I don’t realistically think the Phantoms can challenge for the division in a very competitive AHL Atlantic, but they should make the playoffs, and unlike last season, have the opportunity to host at least one game.
GAME DAY!
Weather has moved the pre-game block party to indoors at the arena. All doors should open at 6PM with events and music between then and hockey. Player introductions at 7:05PM with puck drop planned for 7:17.
Be aware that some of the smaller more portable concessions are cashless this season. The main concessions will still take cash, I am told.
Parking rates should remain the same, from what team officials have been told by the Parking Authority. Kram vs the Overlords: 0-2 thus far.
Restaurant Spotlight: Blended is no longer a Bru Daddy spin off, but rather it’s own thing now. The menu is a bit smaller, but there are choices for everyone to grab something good to eat before the game. The big bar is still there, open to the Arts Walk when the weather is nice. The tap list is extensive and the service from the bartenders on a recent visit was very good. Just go right across the street to the Air Products entrance before the game.
Cleveland is in town, AHL affiliate of the Columbus BlueJackets. There are some vaguely familiar names on their roster, but I didn’t note anything significant.
Media Kit: Cleveland Opener
OFFICIALS
Referee Rob Hennessey (#87)
Referee Andrew Bell (#6)
Linesperson Jud Ritter (#34)
Linesperson J.P. Waleski (#14)
Post Game: I understand the Phantoms are trying to gin up a bit of a post-game party at Chickies on Fridays and Saturdays this season, with some raffles and giveaways and whatnot. Watch out for that opportunity and check it out if you want. Let us know how it is.
What To Watch
- Watch the lineup and lines. This should be a pretty deep group right now, and some of the notable scratches from above should be out there.
- A couple players to watch: Wade Allison. To some a surprise not to have made the Flyers or been claimed on waivers. He plays like his hair is on fire, which is what we love about him, but if he can play under control a bit more perhaps that will help him stay healthy and get back to the Flyers. Samu Tuomaala. The speedy Fin was here briefly a couple seasons ago, but the physical nature of the AHL and the move to North America might have been too much for him at the time. But he’s back and ready to take the next step. He has the talent to be a notable NHL player, I think, but he need to continue to develop.
- Goalies. Peterson is a veteran who came over in the same trade that brought Grans. Gahagen is an ECHL guy who deserves a shot at the AHL. And, the Flyers have three netminders right now. I’m expecting Peterson tonight and Gahagen tomorrow. We’ll wait so see if the Flyers try to send someone down or if there’s a trade or waivers claim that gets in the way.
- Special Teams. I’ve been on record now saying there should be improvements. Can we see it tonight? Too soon?
- Uniforms. Gone will be the pre-season orange (up for auction on an app near you) and we should have home whites. Will they be the same as last season? The Phantoms don’t always give us the heads-up on these things, so I’ve come to expect surprises.
Up Next
Right back at it tomorrow with a Sunday matinee–get you home in time to watch the late football games. 1:05 event time. 12:00 season tickets doors; 12:15 public doors. It’s Belleville so expect O Canada.
I’m not a big fan of the schedule this season. The glut of early-season Sunday games is not enjoyable to me. No Fridays in October. Only four games at home in November is weird–and two of them are on Thanksgiving weekend. No Wednesday home games until December. But, at least one home game for the first five weekends of the season. I guess that’s a good thing.
The team has 3-in-3 next weekend, starting on the road in Springfield, stopping in Hartford on Saturday, then Home for Springfield again on Sunday–this time at a football-ruining 3:05PM start time.
See you at the arena,
@Kram207