The Hershey Bears are a veritable machine this season. They are the best team in the entire AHL at 34-7-0-2 and since November 15, the Bears have gone 25-3-2. They are on pace to break the AHL record of 51 wins in a 72-game season. And the Phantoms get to play them 37 times! (not really but it feels like it)
Roster Update
LW Alex Kile has returned from ECHL Maine. I was all set to make some Kile jokes but the dude has 48 points in 39 ECHL games and leads that league in goals! That’s not nothing. Let’s see if he can keep it going at the AHL level.
There have been some injuries to forwards recently.
F Bobby Brink has been back for this home stand. He’s been showing up on the scoreboard quite nicely and logging some decent minutes. My guess is that he’ll be back with Philadelphia before long.
The Phantoms continue to ride with Felix Sandstrom and Parker Gahagen in goal.
From Phantoms Media
- Samu Tuomaala (12-22-34) rates second among AHL rookies in points and third in assists.
- Tuomaala is on a four-game point streak (1-4-5) and also has points in six of the last seven games (2-5-7)
- The Phantoms went 4-for-7 on the power play last weekend to move up to sixth in the league at 21.8%. The power play is even stronger at home at 22.6%
- The Phantoms are tied for second in the league with 12 overtime games trailing only Rochester who has played in 13 overtime contests. The Phantoms have gone to overtime in 4 out of 9 games played in January.
- The Phantoms record when:
– Score 4 or more goals: 12-0-2
– Allow 3 or fewer goals: 13-3-3
– Lead After 1st period: 7-1-2
– Lead After 2nd period: 11-1-1
– One-Goal Games: 11-3-7
– Overtime: 4-5 / Shootout: 1-2
GAME DAY!
It’s a mid-week tilt at the PPL Center with Hershey in town. Enjoy happy hour beer discounts from doors until the puck drops. There is only one more Wednesday home game this season (March 20).
Doors today at 5:45 for Premier Members, 6:00 for the public. Expect the puck to drop around 7:15. Good seats are still available from all sources and start at just $9 on the secondary market. Parking should be plentiful and easy on a week night–just rush hour stuff if you arrive up town in the 5:00 hour. I can report a ‘win’ in my battle versus the parking overlords on Saturday. I have a chance today as well, and a new strategy to try this coming weekend. I’ll keep you posted.
Hershey comes in on a 5-game win streak and an 8-game point streak. They have two of the top four goalies in the entire league. Both of their special teams units are in the top four in the country. I hate that Mike Vecchione is on this team and kills us each time he plays us.
OFFICIALS
Referee Andrew Bell (#6)
Referee Alex Lepkowski (#74)
Linesperson Jeremy Faucher (#85)
Linesperson John Rey (#16)
MEDIA KIT
What To Watch
- I think we’ll get Sandstrom in net tonight. Watch to see if he can raise his game and play better versus the quality netminder that Hershey will undoubtedly roll out there.
- Watch Bobby Brink. He’s fun and he won’t be here long I bet.
- Watch to see if Alex Kile can get on the ice and make something happen. He’s #48
- Hershey has been just rolling through everyone, but a mid-week tilt versus a team that knows you? Can still be difficult. The Phantoms lost two close games last weekend, watch to see if they can steal one tonight
- Watch to see if any of the injured players can make it back. Belpedio, Laczynski and Wilson all missed Saturday’s game.
Up Next
Hershey will be right back here on Friday as we continue with six straight games on home ice. Expect plenty of Groundhog Day references in the pre-game post. It’s 10th Anniversary (Lehigh Valley version) weekend so there will be some special stuff going on Friday and Saturday.
See you at the arena,
@Kram207