Monarchs Finish Off Phantoms

Monarchs and Phantoms battled Sunday afternoon at the PPL Center.

In Allentown, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms were up against it facing off against the Manchester Monarchs this afternoon but didn't pack it in trailing by one in the third period - actually out shooting the Monarchs 12-8 in the final frame - but it wasn't enough to tie things up. An empty net goal in the waning seconds completed the 3-1 final score and regulation loss for Lehigh Valley.

Scott Laughton scored his third goal in his last two games to open the scoring and give the Phantoms an early 1-0 lead in the opening period, but the Monarchs' depth was too much for Lehigh Valley - proving that even in the tail end of a three-game weekend they are still one of the top teams in this league.

The Phantoms have just 10 games left in their inaugural season as an AHL franchise and even though they are "out of the playoff picture", the mindset in the room says the final games will still be very interesting.

Post-game reaction from defenseman Mark Alt after the jump.

POST-GAME REACTION

Mark Alt on team's defensive effort:

They have a lot of scoring power. I think we knew going in that we had to put up a good defensive front. I think we did pretty well, obviously we had a couple of breakdowns but obviously with a team like that you have to generate some more offense and we didn't get the puck to the net enough and that's where we kind of fell short.

Alt on message in the room last 10 games:

I think it's important to stay focused. That's been the message. Obviously, out of the playoff picture, but to take each game and try to get two points. That was our goal tonight, to stay focused, stick to the game plan and finish off the season strong with the right mentality. We have enough games left to finish off this season in a positive way.

GAME RECAP

Despite playing their third game in two and a half days, it was the Monarchs that got to their game and took it to the Phantoms in the first half of the period - out shooting Lehigh Valley as much as 8-1 before Laughton opened the scoring on his team's 2nd shot of the game.

Taylor Leier and Jason Akeson worked to keep a puck in the offensive zone and got the puck to Oliver Lauridsen at the point. His shot was blocked, but the rebound went into the corner where Laughton picked it up and did the rest. Laughton used a power move to get to the net and with the puck on his backhand roofed a puck over Patrik Bartosak's glove 10:48 into the period to put the Phantoms in front 1-0.

The Monarchs persistence in the opening period paid off with their 4th line on the ice. Ryan Horvat's shot from the top of the right-wing face-off circle changed direction several times before making its way past Zepp and evening the score at 1-1 with 3:51 left before the first intermission. Paul Bissonnette was credited with the goal, his first of the season.

Despite being out shot 13-5 in the first frame, the Phantoms found themselves tied 1-1 with the Monarchs.

The Monarchs continued to show why they are one of the top teams in this league in the middle frame, not taking their foot off the gas and out shooting the Phantoms 12-3 in the 2nd period - getting another goal from their 4th line and taking a one-goal lead into the third.

After an early 2nd period fight with Lauridsen, Bissonnette completed the Gordie Howe hat trick by setting up Ryan Horvat in the slot with 9:22 left in the period for his third goal of the year, giving the Monarchs a go-ahead goal.

The Phantoms had a few chances to even things up in the third - namely an early power play 3:02 into the final frame - but were unable to find an equalizer. The Monarchs dug in and added an empty netter in the final minute en route to the 3-1 win over the Phantoms.

ROSTER NOTES

Rob Zepp (30 saves - 32 shots) got the start in net for Lehigh Valley this afternoon against Manchester, with rookie Anthony Stolarz serving as backup.

Two changes on defense as both Mark Alt and Oliver Lauridsen, who were called up and played for Flyers Saturday, were back in the lineup. Nick Luukko, who made his pro debut last night with Lehigh Valley, and Maxim Lamarche were scratched to make room.

Up front, the only change was on the 4th line as Kevin Goumas slotted in for Derek Mathers.

Scratches: Shayne Gostisbehere (ACL injury), Maxim Lamarche (healthy), Derek Mathers (healthy), Darroll Powe (upper body), Nick Luukko (healthy)

Lines (Starters in Bold & Italics)

Taylor Leier - Scott Laughton - Jason Akeson
Zack Stortini - Blair Jones - Andrew Gordon
Petr Straka - Cole Bardreau - Brett Hextall
Jay Rosehill - Austin Fyten - Kevin Goumas

Mark Alt - Adam Comrie
Robert Hagg - Steven Delisle
Oliver Lauridsen - Jesper Pettersson

Rob Zepp - Anthony Stolarz
 
GAME SUMMARY

1st Period

0:20: LV - Jones, minor (roughing)
0:20: MCH - Ebert, minor (roughing)
6:02: LV - (PP) Gordon, minor (hooking)
10:48: LV - Laughton (10) - Lauridsen, Akeson
16:09: MCH - Bissonnette (1) - Horvat
16:36: MCH - (PP) Raine, minor (high-sticking)

2nd Period

3:27: MCH - Bissonnette, major (fighting)
3:27: LV - Lauridsen, major (fighting)
10:38: MCH - Horvat (3) - Bissonnette, Gratton
14:26: LV - Delisle, major (fighting)
14:26: MCH - Raine, major (fighting)
14:26: LV - Laughton, minor (embellishment - diving)
14:26: MCH - Van der Gulik, minor (hooking)
20:00: MCH - Auger, minor (roughing)
20:00: LV - Rosehill, minor (roughing)
20:00: LV - (PP) Rosehill, minor (roughing)
20:00: LV - Rosehill, game misconduct (leaving the bench)

3rd Period

3:02: MCH - (PP) Van der Gulik, minor (high-sticking)
19:31: MCH - ENG Mersch (17) - Backman, Schultz