It was a better week than the Lehigh Valley Phantoms have had in a while, but playoffs still aren’t any closer for the team.
Win, OT Loss vs. Penguins
It was a lighter, but more successful week for the Phantoms of late. With just two games this week, Lehigh Valley defeated the Wikes-Barre Penguins, 3-2, Friday night and lost in overtime Saturday for a three of possible four points over the weekend.
The Pens’ Ryan Haggerty got the scoring started Friday night, but the Phantoms scored two straight in the second period before Haggerty got his second of the night to tie it going into the third.
But the Phantoms had their own man on fire, with Nicolas Aube-Kubel scoring his second and eventual game-winner in the third period.
If at first you don't succeed... pic.twitter.com/fgcv4Pe7dx
— Lehigh Valley Phantoms (@LVPhantoms) March 23, 2019
Saturday night, the Penguins again took the early lead, but the Phantoms’ Philip Samuelsson tied the game just 28 seconds later on a point shot. Yet, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton had a two-goal lead over halfway through the second.
The Phantoms scored three straight goals to take the lead before the Pens’ Sam Lafferty completed a hat trick to tie the game with under a minute left in the game. In overtime, Phantoms-killer Hagerty netted his third of the weekend to win the game.
Greg Carey, Cole Bardreau (his first goal since returning from injury) and Bryan Froese also scored for the Phantoms.
The Penguins played again Sunday, defeating the Springfield Thunderbirds, so the Phantoms are still in sixth in the Atlantic Division. They have a game-in-hand on the three teams directly in front of them but are eight points out of a playoff spot.
Aube-Kubel Heating Up
Aube-Kubel scored twice in the game Friday night, and also added an assist in Saturday’s contest. With both the Flyers and Phantoms falling out of the playoffs, there’s still a chance he can earn a recall and get in a couple of NHL games before the season ends.
Alex Lyon Rebounds
Goaltender Lyon didn’t have a strong couple of games last week but fared much better this week. He stopped 26 of 28 shots Friday night. Saturday was a little tougher with just 21 saves, but it was a high-scoring game, to begin with.
Upcoming Week
It’ll be a busier week for the Phantoms this time, with all three games on the road. They also won’t be playing any teams in their division that can help with their playoff race. On Wednesday, they travel to Rochester to play the Americans and then have two games against the Cleveland Monsters Friday and Saturday. Both opponents are North Division foes.