Saturday's Morning Skate 3/7

Phantoms trying to climb Eastern Conference Standings.

All five East Division teams were in action last night and while the top two teams in the division both lost their respective games, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms won another thrilling overtime game at the PPL Center and the Binghamton Senators completed a sweep of the Norfolk Admirals to extend their unbeaten streak to four games (2-0-2).

Last night I was at the PPL Center in downtown Allentown, Pa. as the Phantoms pulled through with a big two points in a 2-1 overtime win over the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. Tonight, I'll be back at PPL Center as the Phantoms host Philip Samuelsson and the Portland Pirates. You can follow all the latest on the Lehigh Valley Phantoms on Twitter -> @TonyAndrock_TCG.

The Penguins take on Manchester this afternoon on a rare 3 p.m. EST Saturday face-off in a rematch of last night's game in New Hampshire. I'll have some in-game updates on Twitter @H_P_Hockey.

East Division Standings (through 2/27's games)

1. Hershey Bears: 57GP, 35-15-5-2, 77 points
2. W-B/Scranton: 57GP, 32-19-2-4, 70 points
3. Lehigh Valley: 56GP, 26-23-6-1, 59 points
4. Binghamton: 58GP, 24-26-7-1, 50 points
5. Norfolk: 58GP, 22-29-4-3, 50 points

Eastern Conference Standings

*1. Manchester: 56GP, 35-14-5-2, 77 points
*2. Hershey: 57GP, 35-15-5-2, 77 points
*3. Syracuse: 57GP, 33-16-8-0, 75 points

4. W-B/Scranton: 57GP, 32-19-2-4, 70 points
5. Springfield: 58GP, 32-20-6-0, 70 points
6. Worcester Sharks: 56GP, 31-19-4-2, 68 points
7. Hartford: 57GP, 30-19-5-3, 68 points

8. Providence: 58GP, 30-20-7-1, 68 points
9. Portland: 57GP, 31-22-3-1, 66 points
10. St. John's: 60GP, 28-24-6-2, 64 points
11. Albany: 58GP, 25-23-5-5, 60 points
12. Lehigh Valley: 56GP, 26-23-6-1, 59 points

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton - 3 at Manchester - 6

The Penguins 10-game unbeaten streak came to an end last night against a Monarchs team who has the Penguins number this season - now 3-0 against the Pens this season.

Jordan Weal led the way offensively with a game-high four points (2G-2A), while Colin Miller and Brian O'Neill added a goal and an assist.  Carter Rowney led all Penguins with three points (0G-3A) , while Scott Harrington tallied his first goal of the season in the loss for the Penguins.

These two teams rematch again this afternoon in Manchester.

Bridgeport - 1 at Lehigh Valley - 2 (OT)

For the 11th time at home this season, 60 minutes was not enough to decide a winner at the PPL Center. Last Saturday, it was Brandon Manning playing the role of hero and last night it was Manning passing to Jason Akeson on the game-winning goal 48 seconds into overtime.

Brett Hextall gave the Phantoms a 1-0 lead early in the 2nd period before Dustin Jeffrey tied things up midway through the third to force overtime. Rob Zepp stopped 26 of 27 shots for the win.

Bridegport takes their 10-game losing streak to Worcester, while the Phantoms host Portland tonight.

Hershey - 1 at Providence - 2

In a goaltender's duel between Jeremy Smith (29/30) and Philipp Grubauer (23/25), it was the Providence Bruins jumping out to a 2-0 lead and never looking back.

Seth Griffith and Paul Carey tallied power play goals for the PBruins, while Tim Kennedy scored the lone Bears goal - also on the man advantage.

Hershey continues their tour of the northeast with an afternoon game against Hartford while Providence remains home and hosts Springfield tonight.

Binghamton - 3 at Norfolk - 2 (OT)

In Norfolk, the BSens completed a two-game sweep of the Admirals and extended their unbeaten streak to four games (2-0-2).

Carter Camper opened the scoring 3:37 into the first period and ended it 5:00 into overtime to lift the BSens to points in four straight games and all of a sudden creeping back into the playoff race. Shane Prince assisted on both of Camper's goals while Scott Greenham stopped 49 of the 51 shots sent his way.

After playing each other in back-to-back nights Thursday and Friday, both teams are off today.

Other Eastern Conference Scores

Albany - 1 at St. John's - 2 (OT)

Portland - 5 at Syracuse - 2

Hartford - 2 at Worcester - 5

Saturday's Eastern Conference Schedule

  

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton at Manchester, 3:00 p.m. EST

Hershey at Hartford, 3:30 p.m. EST

Albany at St, John's, 6:00 p.m. EST

Bridgeport at Worcester, 7:00 p.m. EST

Portland at Lehigh Valley, 7:05 p.m. EST

Springfield at Providence, 7:05 p.m. EST