The ‘B-Team’ brought their A-Game last night as Bump and Barkey combined for three goals and five points as the Phantoms slipped by the Thunderbirds 7-3. Hershey is in town for a ‘Phan-Con’ night tonight–the second game of the three-in-three weekend, and the first of a home-and-home.
About Last Night
Things were going swimmingly. The Phantoms had built a 3-1 lead with a Zayde Wisdom far-post rip shot in the second period. Then, on a delayed penalty call, things started to go south. The players on the ice could have been out there for a while–not sure–but none of them seemed particularly interested in challenging the puck and credit Springfield who were patient enough for a guy to open up right next to the net. Then, 25 seconds later, another goal slips in for the Thunderbirds with plenty of Phantoms just standing around. Tie game. Now what?
Credit the fourth line and Wilson, as the captain and certainly leader of his line. Wilson, Wisdom and Robertson immediately brought the energy the team needed. A minute and 18 later, Bump feeds Pederson on the breakaway and follows. Pederson’s five-hole attempt is blocked but Bump’s hustle pots the rebound. The good guys are in front again and never looked back, as Barkey took over in the third with his two goals. Kolosov in net was solid, but perhaps would like to have at least one of those goals back. Springfield had a power play goal and the man-advantage marker, and even though the Phantoms couldn’t solve the AHL #1-ranked road penalty kill, they didn’t give up a lot of other opportunities for the Thunderbirds. The regulation win checks another box. One more thing: That dude Kyrou was +5 last night and added another point. Love you Tamu, but I think we won the trade? Anyway, here we go:
Video Highlights:
Records and Standings
Record: 9-3-0-1
Standings: 3rd Place (Providence and Wilkes lead the division; Phantoms comfortably in third; Charlotte and Hershey four points back; Hartford, Bridgeport and Springfield at the bottom.)
Home: 4-1
Away: 5-2-0-1
Recent: 5-game win streak; 7-2-0-1 Last 10
Overtime: 2-0
Shootout: 1-1
Friday: 4-0
Saturday: 4-0-0-1
Sunday: 0-1
Sunday 3/3: 0-0
Wednesday: 1-2
October: 5-3-0-1
November: 4-0
White “Home” Jerseys: 4-1
Black “Alternate” Jerseys: 2-0-0-1
Orange “Away” Jerseys: 3-2
Post-Game Fan Event Game: 1-0
Players Update
D Ethan Samson was activated by the Flyers and added to the Phantoms from the Flyers. He had been on the Flyers injury list because he was injured during the pre-season. Of course, he didn’t show up on any lists, and I was assured he was “on the Phantoms” but it’s the same as baseball: You can’t send down an injured player until they can play.
Lines From Last Night:
21 Bump 25 Pederson 52 Barkey Pedey and the Killer B’s
91 Grundström 23 Dorwart 90 Richard Dorwart at the Grown-up Table
72 Gendron 56 Gaucher 12 Kaplan I Feel The Need, For Speed
17 Wilson 74 Wisdom 22 Robertson When it’s Time To: Wake Up!
4 Murchison 15 Kyrou Caillou and the Merch
55 Sevigny 3 Grans The Gran Sevy
19 McDonald 24 Berger [I just can’t]
35 Kolosov (64 Bjarnason)
Eklind back to the bench and Marody out another game. Tonight will be the answer about their relative health.
GAME DAY!
It’s Saturday Night Hockey Live! The Super Heroes are here! We’ve got a great game for you tonight!
Premier Gates: 5:45PM All Doors: 6:00PM Curtains: 7:05PM Hockey: 7:17PM
Parking and Traffic: Bingo and AC/DC at the Archer tonight might add some downtown traffic. Center square remains a work in progress.
Tickets: Available but going fast. Secondary market is moving as well. Grab your tickets before you head downtown; tonight might not be the night to buy them at the door.
Promotion: “Phan Con” is a sort of take on “Comic-Con” for folks to celebrate their favorite fictional (?) characters. Pre-game and second-period music for Saturday Night Hockey Live.
Broadcast: The game can be found on Service Electric Cable as well as Flo-Hockey. Audio broadcast available for streaming on the app or web, as well as over the air on Fox Sports Lehigh Valley.
What Up Hershey: Hershey comes in at 7-4-1 riding a two-game win streak having won 2-1 last night in Syracuse. There’s no rest advantage for this game, but the Phantoms have the travel advantage. The Bears’ record is good enough to be tied in the 4/5 spot in the AHL Atlantic, with Charlotte. Clay Stevenson in net last night for the Bears, so we’ll likely see him tomorrow, and Garin Bjorklund (3-1, 2.17, .915) tonight.
Special Teams:
Phantoms: A mid-ling power play, home and away. A bottom-third PK, home and away.
Bears: A bottom-third power play which rises to #6 as a road team. A top-third PK unit, home and away. Interestingly, the Bears Home power play is by far their worst unit–one of the worst in the league. Think about that tomorrow when we visit their place.
Media Kit: Bears 111525
Officials: Refs: Chad Ingalls (#39),Damian Figueira (#32) Lines: Brandon Grillo (#75), Richard Jondo (#55)
What To Watch
- Look for Carson Bjarnason to get the start in net tonight. He’s been off for a while, so watch to see if he looks sharp, particularly early on.
- Watch for Ethan Samson to make his season debut tonight on defense.
- Watch for a variety of “Phan Con” characters about the concourse–especially super heroes.
- Watch for Eklind and Marody. If they’re not on the ice tonight it might signify an injury issue. Eklind returned last weekend, so fully expect his participation but it’s something to watch.
- Go check out the new Pro Shop over in the space-formerly-known-as-99 Bottles. They did a great job with it and it is a wonderful addition to the arena for many reasons. I’ll have more on that coming up at a later date.
- Watch to see if the Bears beat us with their top-flight road power play.
Up Next
Closing out three games in three days tomorrow afternoon in Hershey. Then, right back here on Wednesday (happy hour?) for Rochester on Military Appreciation Night. It’s also ‘bring a friend night’ so let’s fill some seats!
Next weekend is on the road in Providence and Harford. Thanksgiving weekend is Black Friday in Wilkes Barre and Cyber Saturday home for Laval.
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See you at the arena,
@Kram207
Featured Image by Jack Mitroka