A six-game point streak to end October and open November turning into a three game drought. But the Phantoms return home from three on the road with a fresh, new two-game point streak. We go up and we go down. They’ll try to keep it going tonight against Hershey as the Phantoms begin a series of four straight home games.
Records:
If it seems like a lot of overtime games this season, it’s because that’s true! Almost half of the 17 games this season have gone to overtime!
Overall: 7-6-3-1 (4th Place by win pct.)
Home: 4-3-0-1
Away: 3-3-3
White Jerseys: 4-2
Orange Jerseys: 3-3-1
Black Jerseys: 0-1-2-1
Sunday 3/3: 0-0-0-1
Post-Game Event Day: 1-0
Fridays: 1-3-1
Saturdays: 3-3-1
Sundays: 0-0-0-1
Wednesdays: 3-0-1
October: 2-3-1-1
November: 5-3-2
Roster Moves
D Helge Grans to Philadelphia
G Parker Gahagen to Phantoms from Reading
F Matthew Brown to Reading
D Sam Sedley to Phantoms from Reading
F Mason Primeau to Reading
F Sawyer Boulton to Reading
D Sam Sedley back to Reading
LW Anthony Richard returned to Phantoms from Philadelphia
F Sawyer Boulton back to Phantoms from Reading
Discussion: Richard seemed to play well with the Flyers, but his return here is significant as he’s a major part of the offense and power play. Early in the season he was exceeding a point per game.
Lines for Wednesday’s overtime win in Hartford:
15 Lycksell 73 Rizzo 27 Tuomaala
43 Eklind 56 Gaucher 90 Richard
17 Wilson 22 Gardner 72 Gendron
91 Desnoyers 18 Abols 13 Furry
37 Ginning 5 Samson
19 McDonald 7 Belpedio
55 Bernard 8 Gleason
40 Petersen (Backup: 31 Gahagen)
Scratches:
9 Sam Sedley 16 J.R. Avon 20 Cooper Marody 32 Eetu Makiniemi 36 Sawyer Boulton 74 Zayde Wisdom
Discussion: Samu is playing some good hockey lately, as is Samson. Gleason has been an asset since he came over in the trade for Ronnie Attard. Makiniemi is hurt–sports hernia I think I saw–and will be out a couple months or more. The Flyers continue to carry three goalies. Peterson will probably handle the bulk of the netminding, but they’ll alternate when it’s back-to-back, I’d think. JR Avon is a decent offensive piece; I hope he’s OK since his experimentations with the are of fisticuffs.
Phantoms Scoring Leaders
Samu Tuomaala 8-10-18
Olle Lycksell 3-10-13
Anthony Richard 4-7-11
Jacob Gaucher 6-4-10
Oscar Eklind 4-5-9
Rodrigo Abols 3-5-8
GAME DAY!
Hershey is back and hopefully their most obnoxious of fans will stay home today. Last time they were here it was a bit of a buzz saw after they took a 6-1 beat down from last-place Bridgeport on home ice the night before. Perhaps they’ll be full of turkey? The season series is tied 1-1 with the road team prevailing in both games.
It’s Service Electric Cap Night, which is always a highlight of the season. The quality has been questionable of late, but I have high hopes for tonight’s offering. Be a little on the early side and use the major entrances for your best shot.
Good seats still remain for tonight’s game. Check the secondary market first as season ticket holders who can’t make it during the holiday weekend are dumping good seats for reasonable prices. Doors: 5:45 Premier Members, 6:00PM public, all entrances. Look for hockey around 7:16PM or so. Most concessions are cashless–at last check, Burger Prime and Bru Daddy Bar still take cash, as does the Chickie’s fry line.
Special Teams: The Phantoms Power Play continues to be a force, still ranked second in the country at the AHL level. Hershey, of course, is #3. The Phantoms PK is middle-of-the-pack at 16, while Hershey is #11.
OFFICIALS
Referee Riley Brace (#49)
Referee James Kraft (#89)
Linesperson Jud Ritter (#34)
Linesperson Richard Jondo (#55)
Scouting The Refs: This pair of Brace and Kraft have not done a game at PPL Center yet this season, as far as I can tell.
MEDIA KIT
What To Watch
- If I’m right about the goalie play, we’ll see Peterson tonight and Gahagen tomorrow against Laval.
- Watch for any roster moves, and to see if Avon or Wisdom slot back in.
- Watch to see if the Phantoms can take advantage of opportunities with the power play; it might be the best way to win this one.
- Watch to see if any Hershey fans around you feel the need to yell out the name of every Hershey player every time they touch the puck. It’s obnoxious. It’s worse than sitting in front of the Hershey radio booth.
- Hershey fans were really offended by meLVin’s antics with the stuffed bear. I hope that continues. They were planning to purchase some meLVin dolls to abuse. Cool. Spend your money here.
Up Next
Laval Rocket makes their appearance at the PPL Center tomorrow–usually their only of the season. ‘Hockey Night’ will likely be on hiatus unfortunately, so just know they are in first place in the North and old friend Tyler Wotherspoon is on the team. You’ll get to hear O Canada. Gritty will be in the house for salute to Philadelphia night.
Wednesday Happy Hour this week with some new sweaters to peep! Rockford Ice Hogs make their first-ever appearance, which will open the December slate. Then Hershey returns next Saturday for Teddy Toss night.
See you at the arena,
@Kram207