It’s another Sunday fun day at the PPL Center. We’re not fond of the Sunday games–especially at this point in the season–but the Phantoms have played well on the previous two Sunday home games. So let’s go! The Hartford Whalers Wolf Pack are in town.
Really sad this morning to wake up and hear about the passing of former Phantom Adam Johnson following an on-ice injury. He was playing for a professional league in the UK. Sports are supposed to be entertainment. Sports are supposed to be fun. This kind of thing shouldn’t happen. Thoughts are with Adam’s friends, family and teammates today.
And So It Goes
You’ll recall prior to the season we predicted in this space that the Phantoms would be both really good and really bad at times this season as the parent Flyers organization flounders about trying to find their way back to being a competitive franchise. They’ll have little respect for the challenges of trying to win here in the American League.
Did it start this week? Two veteran blueliners, Louie Belpedio and Victor Mete were called up the the NHL, while defensive prospect Emil Andrae came to the Phantoms, along with our old friend Mason Millman who returned from Reading. Can we connect the dots and blame that move for the 4-0 pasting the Phantoms took last night in Chocolatetown? Not so fast. The Bears are good, and you do have to score some goals to expect to win games.
Lines last night in Hershey:
29 Gendron 22 Gardner 20 Marody
28 Lycksell 91 Desnoyers 27 Tuomaala
17 Wilson 46 Brown 14 Wisdom
16 Avon 56 Gaucher 19 Allison
6 Andrae 12 Attard
37 Ginning 5 Samson
3 Karashik 2 Grans
40 Petersen (31 Gahagen)
I didn’t see the game last night, but that Attard/Andrae line appeared to have a difficult game.
Player Spotlight
#16 Jon-Randall “J.R.” Avon
He’s a 20-year-old forward signed as an undrafted prospect back in 2021 and is making his professional debut this season. He’s known as a creative playmaker who has plenty of speed. Scouting reports suggest he needs to get stronger and play a two-way game.
GAME DAY!
Hartford is a good team, but they come in on a two-game losing streak having lost to Wilkes-Barre last night. The Pack have middling special teams, which should match up with the similarly rated Phantoms teams. The Phantoms also have the rest advantage as Hartford played Friday night.
Good seats still remain for another “Haunted on Hamilton” game. Kiddos can do some trick or treating on the concourse again today, and there will be some pumpkin-related festivities. Stay after the game for a post-game skate.
It looks like gates for everyone at 4PM for a 5:05 event time. Tune in on AHL.tv or Service Electric. Listen online or on 1470 AM.
I’m still losing to the parking overlords. I may throw in the towel today in order to park closer given the rain in the forecast.
OFFICIALS
Referee Beau Halkidis (#48)
Referee Damian Figueira (#32)
Linesperson Tommy George (#61)
Linesperson Michael Magee (#41)
MEDIA KIT
What To Watch
- The goaltending choice will be interesting. The veteran Peterson has been underwhelming. Gahagen has the two Sunday wins, but this is not a 3/3 like the last two weekends. Ersson had a tough game for the Flyers last night and you gotta think one of those three guys in Philly might be coming our way if only for “conditioning”.
- Watch to see if the Andrae/Attard pair is back together. Can they rebound from last night?
- Watch the penalty kill. They have been serviceable thus far, but with the loss of two veteran blueliners, how does it look today? They did give up one power play goal last night.
Up Next
Somewhat odd scheduling has the Phantoms return to Hershey on Wednesday, before returning home for our first Friday home game of the season at the end of the week–that a re-match with this very Wolf Pack team. Here at “Hockey Night” we’re not looking forward to the “pop culture” nature of the promotion on Friday.
See you at the arena,
@Kram207
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