Like a Buin, bear? Like a Teddy Bear? Like a Stock Market that’s not doing so well? We’ve got five home games in a row; Here We Go!
The Market Is Down
When we last saw the Hamilton Street Heroes on home ice, over Thanksgiving weekend, they were losing in overtime versus this very Providence team, and winning against a very strong Rochester side, completing a 5-game point streak. They had the week off before heading out on the road for two in Hartford and one in Providence to open December–this following a 6-2-3 November and the arrow pointing up. They had risen to well within the middle of the pack in the AHL Atlantic. However, the trip to New England saw their stock drop. A decisive loss in Hartford. Then an overtime loss in Hartford. Then a close loss in Providence and the Phantoms come home for five straight to try and get right. They currently sit in 7th place in the division (by win pct).
Player Movement
G Parker Gahagen headed to ECHL Reading as Felix Sandstrom assumes the top role in Allentown. D Mason Millman also went to Berks County before joining the team in New England–in name if not body. F Jacob Gaucher was on the same plan, back with the Phantoms after spending some time in Reading. F Olle Lycksell was recalled to Philadelphia in a need-based move due to an injury at the NHL level. That move will hurt the Phantoms, but he earned the promotion and it’s the same kind of move that happens all over the AHL. F Ryan Chyzowski spend a couple days this week at Phantoms practice before they decided they’d prefer to have Gaucher back. Wilson missed a game due to suspension.
The goalie distribution on the road trip was Peterson – Sandstrom – Peterson. I do think Sandstrom is the top guy here right now–as he’s the guy to go up if needed, most likely–but I also think given his injury and lack of playing opportunity thus far this season he’s maybe getting ramped up a bit with regard to back-to-backs. So my prediction is Sandstrom tonight, Peterson tomorrow, Sandstrom Wednesday and Saturday, then Peterson Sunday. But, we’ll see–a myriad of things could happen still.
D Louie Belpedio is on waivers with the idea he’ll return. Watch for that move today unless he gets claimed. Late news is that he’s cleared but is on the Flyers trip as an extra body and will join the Phantoms at a future time.
Lines last Sunday in Providence
28 Lycksell – 9 Laczynski – 27 Tuomaala
17 Wilson – 91 Desnoyers – 19 Allison
16 Avon – 13 Furry – 20 Marody
10 Polei – 15 Bellerive – 14 Wisdom
6 Andrae – 2 Grans
98 Mete – 12 Attard
37 Ginning – 3 Karashik
40 Petersen (32 Sandstrom)
Notes: F Adam Brooks continues to work back from injury week-to-week. Marody is battling an injury but toughing it out. The Grans/Andrae pairing is enticing, but it didn’t totally work out that way.
From the Phantoms Media Department:
POWER UP!
Lehigh Valley’s power play is first in the AHL at 25.6% and the team’s 20 total power-play markers is second-most in the league. The Phantoms are on a nine-game streak with a power-play goal going 12-for-30 (40.0%) in that stretch.
Olle Lycksell leads the league in power-play points with 12 and is tied for the AHL lead with six power-play goals. Olle Lycksell is tied for the league lead at six power-play markers.
Tanner Laczynski (3-5-8), Cooper Marody (2-7-9), Samu Tuomaala (3-5-8) and J.R. Avon (2-1-3) also have multiple power-play goals.
PHANTASTIC!
- Samu Tuomaala (5-13-18) is second in the AHL for most assists by a rookie with 13 and is tied for third in AHL Rookie Points. The 20-year-old rookie was a Round 2 pick of the Flyers in 2021 and has three times this season recorded three points in a game.
- Ronnie Attard is on a four-game point streak (1-4-5)
- Tonight is Phantoms captain Garrett Wilson’s 599th career game in the AHL
- The Phantoms are:
5-1-3 when scoring first
8-1-2 when scoring three or more goals
8-0-0 when leading after two periods
7-2-2 when allowing three goals or fewer
3-1-1 on Friday - The Phantoms are also the most penalized team in the AHL at 19.1 average PIM per game which includes a league-leading 123 minor penalties. 98 times on the penalty kill this season is also most in the AHL. Captain and veteran leader Garrett Wilson leads the AHL with 69 PIM.PROVIDENCE PEAKING
Providence (11-8-3) has won five straight on the other side of a four-game losing streak to rise from seventh all the way up to third place in the Atlantic Division. John Farinacci (6-11-17) is a rookie out of Harvard who leads the P-Bruins in scoring. First-rounder Fabian Lysell (6-8-14) scored in overtime against the Phantoms on November 24 at PPL Center but missed three games last week due to injury. 6’5″ tall goaltender Brandon Bussi (6-4-2, 2.58, .917) has picked up a pair of wins against Lehigh Valley this year and was sensational in net at PPL Center on November 24 with 41 saves when the P-Bruins won in overtime 2-1. But Bussi went up to Boston on Thursday on en emergency recall. Georgii Merkulov (5-9-14) joined Bussi on last year’s AHL All-Rookie Team after scoring 24-31-55 last season.
Tonight’s game is a rematch of last Sunday’s clash in Rhode Island which the Bruins took 3-2 on a third-period goal by Justin Brazeau. The P-Bruins won the Atlantic Division last year going 44-18-10 but were bounced by Hartford 3 games to 1 in their second-round playoff series.Phantoms Scoring Leaders
x Olle Lycksell 12-7-19
Tanner Laczynski 6-12-18
Samu Tuomaala 5-13-18
Cooper Marody 5-11-16
Garrett Wilson 5-8-13Bruins Scoring Leaders
John Farinacci 6-11-17
Fabian Lysell 6-8-14
Jayson Megna 5-9-14
Georgii Merkulov 5-9-14
Justin Brazeau 7-6-13SPECIAL TEAMS
Lehigh Valley PP, 25.6% (1st)
Lehigh Valley PK 79.6% (25th)
Providence PP 14.9% (24th)
Providence PK 73.4% (32nd)
Photo: Jack Mitroka
GAME DAY!
It’s Dollar Dog Night through the first period tonight (we can’t afford to do it more than once a month, so…). Good seats are still available for tonight’s game.
Expect an increase in the traffic, parking problems and more crowded restaurants and bars downtown during the holiday season. Adjust accordingly. I was able to go 1-1 last weekend in my battle with the Parking Overlords. I expect a similar outcome this weekend. I’m still well-below .500 on the season, though, in my desire to spend the least possible money on parking.
The Bruins are in town. Again. Read above as well as the preview from their last visit. I don’t find anything fun about them and I have a natural proclivity to hate Boston teams.
PreGame: Today’s restaurant mini-review is the OG of downtown spots (especially with the demise of the Bay Leaf), Allentown BrewWorks. It’s their own craft brews. Elevated bar food and more. Usually decent service, and one time I had the best french onion soup ever, there. If they’re still doing the chef-made ice creams, those are always good. I don’t believe they take reservations, though, so allow a little extra time. They have seating on a couple different levels, so they can pack them in if they have the staff. Park in the newly refurbished Maple Street deck a block to the west. It’s one of the cheaper parking options downtown, only $5 on hockey nights.
Doors: 6:00PM
Event: 7:05PM
Hockey: 7:18PM
Follow on the usual suspects, radio feed via the app or the web, Service Electric TV. Check AM 1470 and AM 790 for terrestrial radio call.
OFFICIALS
Referee Mike Dietrich (#15)
Referee Mason Riley (#79)
Linesperson Jud Ritter (#34)
Linesperson J.P. Waleski (#14)
MEDIA KIT
What To Watch
- Watch to see if my goalie rotation prediction comes true.
- Watch to see if the power play success continues now in the absence of Lycksell–and the offense in general.
- Does Belpedio play in this game? (Nope) What do the pairings look like? I there a young pair you just know is going to get abused?
- These teams have played each other a fair few times of late. Watch to see if they are as sick of it as maybe we are. Providence had some rough stuff in practice this week, I heard.
- Stated above but it bears repeating, watch to see how bad Lycksell is missed.
- Watch to see 100 promos for tomorrow’s game
Up Next
We will continue with a 5-game home stand. Tomorrow night is Charlotte for Teddy Bear Toss–always a popular night. Be in your seat for the start of the game because sometimes it comes quickly.
Then we get a rematch for the Wednesday Happy Hour game on 12/13–our first of the season. Does Charlotte just stay in town for four days? Nope, they’ll grab a Sunday game in Hershey while they’re in Pennsylvania. Then next weekend it’s Friday, Saturday with Laval and Springfield respectively. Saturday’s game is Fantasmas.
See you at the arena,
@Kram207
Featured Image by Jack Mitroka
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