Phantoms Start Three-Game Weekend With 3-1 Loss

The Phantoms played disciplined hockey in the first period, holding high-scoring Binghamton off the board early on.

The Lehigh Valley Phantoms came to Binghamton with a plan to stay out of the penalty box and get to work. They succeeded with that plan in the first period, staying penalty-free and taking an early 1-0 lead, but got away from things in the final two periods in route to a 3-1 loss to the BSens tonight.

Zack Stortini gave the Phantoms an early lead with his 2nd goal of the season, but it was the lone goal of the night for the Phantoms. Rob Zepp was peppered with shots tonight, stopping 37 of the 40 that came his way to keep the game close.

BSens netminder Andrew Hammond allowed a goal on the first shot that came his way but stood tall the rest of the way, stopping 34 shots for his 6th win of the season in his first game back in the AHL since being recalled to Ottawa late in November.

The Phantoms (10-10-2-1) return home for a big Saturday night match up with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. The Phantoms will be wearing a Philadelphia Eagles-themed green jersey tomorrow night when the battle the rival Penguins, who lead the East Division.



The Phantoms got off to a fast start and capitalized on a fortuitous bounce off the back dasher early in the first frame to take a 1-0 lead.

Taylor Leier tried to sneak a quick shot past Hammond on the short side at the right wing face-off circle, but his shot missed and caromed out in front of the left side to Zack Stortini. Stortini spun and lifted one towards the net that got past Hammond to put the Phantoms ahead 1:56 into the game.

Things evened out as the period wore on, with both teams exchanging chances back-and-forth at both ends. The first period was played entirely at five-on-five.

The BSens got to their game in the 2nd period, tallying a pair of goals midway through the middle frame to take a one-goal lead of their own.

Brad Mills wheeled into the offensive zone and fired a shot wired to the top shelf to tie the game at 1-1. The goal was Mills' 1st of the season, assisted by Alex Grant and Chris Wideman. Just over three minutes later, Alex Guptill fed Patrick Mullen the puck at the point and Mullen sent it across the blue line to Frederik Claesson, whose point shot ricocheted past Zepp to give the BSens a 2-1 lead.

The Phantoms got some pressure on two late second period power plays but were unable to find the equalizer before the end of the 2nd period.

In the third period, the Phantoms couldn't find the equalizer and found themselves down 3-1 midway through the third period after a bench minor for too many men. Shane Prince tallied his 10th of the season just 13 seconds into the man advantage to provide the BSens with an insurance marker.

BSens netminder Andrew Hammond allowed a goal on his first shot of the hockey game, but stopped the next 34 shots he faced to pick up the win in his first game back with the BSens following a short recall to Ottawa.

GAME SUMMARY

1st Period

1:56: LV - Stortini (2) - Leier, Zepp

2nd Period

5:26: LV - (PP) Hagg, minor (delay of game)
5:26: LV - Delisle, major (fighting)
5:26: LV - Sdao, major (fighting)
8:23: BNG - Mills (1) - A. Grant, Wideman
11:25: BNG - Claesson (2) - Mullen, Guptill
12:41: BNG - (PP) Wideman, minor (cross-checking)
16:43: BNG - (PP) Prince, minor (elbowing)

3rd Period

3:47: BNG - Sdao, major (fighting)
3:47: BNG - Sdao, game misconduct (two-fight rule)
3:47: LV - Stortini, major (fighting)
9:32: LV - (PP) Bench minor (too many men)
9:45: BNG - PPG Prince (10) - Camper, Johnson
16:28: LV - (PP) Jones, minor (slashing)


ROSTER NOTES - Phantoms

Rob Zepp (37 saves - 40 shots) got the start in net for the Phantoms. Rookie Anthony Stolarz backed him up.

On defense, no changes as Brett Flemming was a healthy scratch for the third straight game. Jesper Pettersson was on the third pairing.

Up front, Jay Rosehill returned to the lineup after spending two games as a healthy scratch. Derek Mathers was scratched to make room for Rosehill.

Scratches for the Phantoms: Brett Flemming (healthy), Shayne Gostisbehere (ACL surgery) and Derek Mathers (healthy).

Lines

Taylor Leier - Blair Jones - Zack Stortini
Jason Akeson - Nick Cousins - Petr Straka
Darroll Powe - Kevin Goumas - Andrew Gordon
Jay Rosehill - Austin Fyten - Brett Hextall

Brandon Manning - Mark Alt
Robert Hagg - Steven Delisle
Oliver Lauridsen - Jesper Pettersson

Rob Zepp - Anthony Stolarz