Tuesday Practice Update 12/15 - LaBarbera's Back

Jason LaBarbera is expected to return to the Phantoms' net Wednesday vs. W-B/Scranton. Photo: Nina Weiss

The Lehigh Valley Phantoms (13-13-1-0) are preparing for another week of games that includes another meeting with both the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins and Hershey Bears. Those two games, tomorrow and Friday night, respectively, provide the Phantoms a chance to close the gap in the Atlantic Division with a game Saturday night in Binghamton before a week long break for the holidays.

Making his first start in 38 days will be Jason LaBarbera, who told The Home News after practice today that the plan is for him to play tomorrow against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.

"It will be good to get my feet kind of going again and get back out there," LaBarbera said after today's practice at the PPL Center.

LaBarbera looks forward to the opportunity to get back in net and realizes he has a big first test facing a Penguins team that will enter tomorrow night's game with an impressive 19-5-0 record.

"It feels like those are the only teams we play the last couple weeks," LaBarbera joked of playing the Penguins and Hershey Bears so frequently this month. "They're obviously a good team and of to a good start. They have some pretty good players who can move the puck well so it'll be a good test for sure."



NEWS & NOTES

• The plan is for Jason LaBarbera to make his return between the pipes tomorrow against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. It'll be his first start in net since November 8th against Binghamton, five weeks and three days ago.

• Jesper Pettersson has been re-assigned to the Reading Royals (ECHL), leaving Lehigh Valley with seven healthy defensemen (Mark Alt, Sam Morin, Robert Hagg, Davis Drewiske, Maxim Lamarche and Andrew MacDonald) plus an eighth in Christian Marti who skated at practice in a yellow non-contact jersey for the second straight day.

• Tim Brent (undisclosed) missed Saturday's game and didn't practice Monday, but was skating today at practice on the team's 5th line with Brandon Alderson and a rotating forward.

• Head coach Scott Gordon declined comment on updates for injured players.

• Tomorrow's opponent Wilkes-Barre/Scranton will be without several of their top players. Forwards Conor Sheary and Kevin Porter, as well as goaltender Matt Murray have been called up to Pittsburgh.

Lines From Tuesday's Practice

Taylor Leier - Joe Rehkamp - Danick Martel

Petr Straka - Nick Cousins - Aaron Palushaj

Tyrell Goulbourne - Kevin Goumas - Colin McDonald (C)

Jay Rosehill - Cole Bardreau - Evan Rankin

Brandon Alderson - Tim Brent (A)

Andrew MacDonald (A) - Robert Hagg

Sam Morin - Mark Alt

Davis Drewiske - Maxim Lamarche

Matt Lashoff - Jesper Pettersson

Christian Marti

Jason LaBarbera - Anthony Stolarz