On meLVin’s birthday, let’s look back on his origin story:
First..
And…
And Then… (watch until the end to find out about the name)
He was discovered at 5:55. Also, LV is 55 in Roman numerals, so his jersey number is…
Anyway, happy birthday buddy. I hope a ton of your mascot friends show up today to help you celebrate.
About Last Night
Plenty of end-to-end action with the Syracuse team last night as the Phantoms came out in their “black out” kits. I don’t remember that being their style in the past but it was the form the game took. Ultimately the Phantoms rest and travel advantage gave them the edge and the much-needed regulation win stacking 4 points now in this 3/3 weekend. Check yesterday’s column for the youtube clip of Fuzz asking Gendy questions. Nice foreshadowing for the game he had last night.
Phantoms highlight package:
Records:
Overall: 24-18-5-1 (5th Place in Division)
Regulation Wins: 13
Home: 13-8-2-1
Away: 11-10-3
White Jerseys: 12-7-1
White-Out Jerseys: 1-1
Orange Jerseys: 6-5-1
Black Alternate Jerseys: 3-2-2-1
Black-Out Jerseys: 1-1-1
Black on Steel Gray Jerseys: 1-2
Fridays: 7-5-2
Saturdays: 10-6-2
Sundays: 0-3-0-1
Wednesdays: 6-1-1
Tuesday/Thursday: 1-3
Sunday 3/3: 0-2-0-1
Post-Game Player Event Day: 2-1
October: 2-3-1-1
November: 7-3-2
December: 4-7-1
January: 8-4-1
February: 3-1
Roster Update
D Xavier Bernard was loaned to Reading.
Marody and Tuomaala were injury scratches last night. Severity unknown.
Lines Last Night vs Syracuse
90 Richard 18 Ābols 16 Avon
17 Wilson 73 Rizzo 72 Gendron
15 Lycksell 56 Gaucher 43 Eklind
91 Desnoyers 22 Gardner 74 Wisdom
19 McDonald 7 Belpedio
6 Andrae 3 Grans
37 Ginning 5 Samson
80 Petruzzelli (Backup: 31 Gahagen)
GAME DAY!
Get ready for some shenanigans as the mascots descend on the PPL Center this afternoon. Gates at 2PM, Show at 3PM, Hockey around 3:15PM. Stay in your seat during intermission to see the mascot versus juniors hockey game or something like that.
After the game, Premier Members can shoot the puck for $1000. Make sure to sign up at the team desk behind 112 or in the Club when you arrive. Head to section 110 after the game. Shots = number of seats you have. Officials do tell me that they will Zamboni the ice before the contest so that we don’t have to shoot through a pile of snow.
Other game info: Remember parking is a bit different on Sundays, and not all eateries will be open before the game–maybe go out after?
Enter the hated Penguins. They had been playing some really good hockey, and had almost caught the Bears atop the AHL Atlantic. However, scheduling oddities had them playing far fewer games than many other teams in the division. It’s four fewer now, but as we opened February it had been 6 at one point. Perhaps all the extra rest helped them? Neither team has a rest advantage today: The Penguins affiliate lost to us in the shootout on Friday, then lost to Hershey in overtime yesterday. They’ve gathered 2 standings points but have also lost second place in the division to Providence. Penguins observers suspect their team might be slumping right now, but they still have a 6-2-1-1 record over their past 10 games. They also have 4 more standings points than we do, and 9 more regulation wins all having played 4 fewer games.
Special Teams: This is THE #1 power play in the country at the AHL level. As a road unit, they sink to #4. Their PK is #11 but rises to #7 on the road.
MEDIA KIT
OFFICIALS
Referee Mike Sullivan (#47)
Referee Jack Hennigan (#58)
Linesperson Michael Magee (#41)
Linesperson J.P. Waleski (#14)
Scouting the Refs: Hennigan stays over from last night. I think they didn’t call near as many penalties as they could have. And, it did make the game flow nicely. Sullivan is know for missing calls and not having full control of the game.
What To Watch
- It should be Gahagen’s game, but he took a pretty hard shot Friday night in Wilkes and although he stayed in the game there was much medical attention. He did serve as back-up last night and no roster moves were made–that I’ve seen–so we have to think he’ll be in there. He should have a good idea of the Pens’ game after Friday.
- Watch to see which team wants it more. Are the Phantoms resting on. their four weekend points? Are the Pens upset with only two points?
- The 3PM start is a quick turn-around. Does that effect one team more? The Phantoms have not been a good Sunday team this season, can they change that?
- Watch Belpedio. I think he’s been playing really well. Wilson had a good game last night as well.
- Watch Eklind. I don’t think he’s moving well on the ice and it’s costing him chances and contributions.
- Watch Gendron. Is he about to take the next step?
Up Next
Head West young man! The Phantoms make a mid-west road swing with games Wednesday and Friday in Grand Rapids, Saturday in Rockford, then Tuesday in Milwaukee.
Next home games are back-to-back with Bridgeport February 28 (Hockey is for Everyone) and again March 1 (Mardi Gras).
See you at the arena,
@Kram207