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| Another must-win game tonight for the Phantoms against Utica. Photo: Nina Weiss/The Home News |
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The Lehigh Valley Phantoms (25-25-2-3) put their four-game points streak on the line tonight in another must-win game against the Utica Comets tonight at the PPL Center. The Phantoms haven't fared well against the Comets this season, and head coach Scott Gordon has said Utica doesn't provide a good match up for the Phantoms, but there's no excuses or time to waste with 21 games left on the schedule and a six-point deficit to make up to get into playoff contention.
Utica will be a bit of a different team than they were two weeks ago when the two teams last met. Leading scorer Hunter Shinkaruk was traded to the Calgary Flames organization, which leaves a sizable hole up front for the Comets moving forward - they have just two guys one the roster who have tallied 10 or more goals this season.
If you missed it this morning, Saturday's Morning Skate (2/27) takes a look around the AHL's Eastern Conference and the Atlantic Division playoff race. Also in SMS, the daily AHL Playoff Primer for a full look at the league's standings and playoff-related info.
All of the regular news, notes, stats and more to get you ready for tonight's game in a full preview after the jump.
Power Play
LV: Taylor Leier (50GP,17G-21A), Chris Conner (38GP, 12G-27A), Petr Straka (45GP, 17G-15A), Danick Martel (47GP, 19G-11A)
LV: Danick Martel (3GP, 2G-1A), Taylor Leier (2GP, 0G-2A), Aaron Palushaj (2GP, 1G-0A)
The Lehigh Valley Phantoms (25-25-2-3) put their four-game points streak on the line tonight in another must-win game against the Utica Comets tonight at the PPL Center. The Phantoms haven't fared well against the Comets this season, and head coach Scott Gordon has said Utica doesn't provide a good match up for the Phantoms, but there's no excuses or time to waste with 21 games left on the schedule and a six-point deficit to make up to get into playoff contention.
Utica will be a bit of a different team than they were two weeks ago when the two teams last met. Leading scorer Hunter Shinkaruk was traded to the Calgary Flames organization, which leaves a sizable hole up front for the Comets moving forward - they have just two guys one the roster who have tallied 10 or more goals this season.
If you missed it this morning, Saturday's Morning Skate (2/27) takes a look around the AHL's Eastern Conference and the Atlantic Division playoff race. Also in SMS, the daily AHL Playoff Primer for a full look at the league's standings and playoff-related info.
All of the regular news, notes, stats and more to get you ready for tonight's game in a full preview after the jump.
By The Numbers
LV: 55 games played, 25-25-2-3 = 55 points
7th Place - Atlantic Division
Last 10 Games: 4-4-0-2
Streak: 2-0-0-2
UTI: 52 games played, 26-18-5-3 = 60 points
3rd Place - North Division
Last 10 Games: 7-1-2-0
Streak: 1-0-1-0
Special Teams
Power Play
LV: 18.0% - 12th in AHL
UTI: 14.7% - 27th in AHL
Penalty Kill
LV: 82.3% - 16th in AHL
UTI: 84.2% - 11th in AHL
Leading Scorers (Active)
LV: Taylor Leier (50GP,17G-21A), Chris Conner (38GP, 12G-27A), Petr Straka (45GP, 17G-15A), Danick Martel (47GP, 19G-11A)
UTI: Brendan Gaunce (41GP, 15G-18A), Jordan Subban (45GP, 8G-20A), Alexandre Grenier (49GP, 8G-20A), Mike Zalewski (47GP, 13G-14A)
Starting Goaltenders
LV: Anthony Stolarz (17-11-5, 2.53 GAA, .915 SV%, 0 SO)
UTI: Joe Cannata (14-9-3, 2.56 GAA, .910 SV%, 1 SO)
UTI: Joe Cannata (14-9-3, 2.56 GAA, .910 SV%, 1 SO)
Season Series
This is the 4th of four scheduled meetings between Lehigh Valley and Utica this season. The Phantoms are 1-2 against the Comets this season, splitting a pair of games in Utica one week apart on Thanksgiving Eve and December 2nd before being dismantled 5-2 the day before Valentines Day at home.
Head to Head Scoring Leaders
LV: Danick Martel (3GP, 2G-1A), Taylor Leier (2GP, 0G-2A), Aaron Palushaj (2GP, 1G-0A)
UTI: Taylor Fedun (3GP, 1G-3A), Mike Zalewski (3GP, 1G-2A), Alex Friesen (2GP, 1G-2A)
Goalies Head to Head Stats
LV: Anthony Stolarz (3GP, 1-1-0, 2.89 GAA, .909 SV%, 0 SO)
Jason LaBarbera - (1GP, 0-0-0, 1.73 GAA, .952, 0 SO)
UTI: Joe Cannata (1GP, 1-0-0, 1.00 GAA, .964 SV%, 0 SO)
Richard Bachman (2GP, 1-1-0, 2.56 GAA, .881 SV%, 0 SO)
Season Series Schedule
Wednesday 11/25, Lehigh Valley - 1 at Utica - 7
Wednesday 12/2, Lehigh Valley - 3 at Utica - 1
Saturday 2/13, Utica - 5 at Lehigh Valley - 2
Saturday 2/27, Utica at Lehigh Valley - 7:05 p.m. ET
Wednesday 11/25, Lehigh Valley - 1 at Utica - 7
Wednesday 12/2, Lehigh Valley - 3 at Utica - 1
Saturday 2/13, Utica - 5 at Lehigh Valley - 2
Saturday 2/27, Utica at Lehigh Valley - 7:05 p.m. ET
Lehigh Valley Phantoms
Roster Notes
Anthony Stolarz is expected to get the start in net for the sixth straight game. Jason LaBarbera has been battling a nagging injury over the last two to three weeks, but took a puck on his hand while sitting on the bench in last night's game. Martin Ouellette was called up and is expected to back up Stolarz in net.
Max Lamarche did not play tonight with what is being termed as the flu, which is running its course on the locker room. Lamarche likely would have been a scratch tonight regardless after having a turnover-filled game last night.
Jay Rosehill re-entered the lineup for the Phantoms after playing the final two games of last weekend's three-in-three.
Dalton Smith took warmups tonight for the first time as a member of the Phantoms but was a healthy scratch.
Lines (Starters in Bold/Italics)
2/27: G Martin Ouellette recalled from loan to Reading (ECHL)
2/26: RW Pavel Padakin returned on loan to Reading (ECHL)
2/22: LW Dalton Smith signed to a professional tryout contract (PTO)
2/18: RW Pavel Padakin recalled from loan to Reading (ECHL)
2/17: RW Pavel Padakin returned on loan to Reading (ECHL)
2/13: D Andrew MacDonald recalled from loan by Philadelphia (NHL)
Anthony Stolarz is expected to get the start in net for the sixth straight game. Jason LaBarbera has been battling a nagging injury over the last two to three weeks, but took a puck on his hand while sitting on the bench in last night's game. Martin Ouellette was called up and is expected to back up Stolarz in net.
Max Lamarche did not play tonight with what is being termed as the flu, which is running its course on the locker room. Lamarche likely would have been a scratch tonight regardless after having a turnover-filled game last night.
Jay Rosehill re-entered the lineup for the Phantoms after playing the final two games of last weekend's three-in-three.
Dalton Smith took warmups tonight for the first time as a member of the Phantoms but was a healthy scratch.
Scratches: Kevin Sundher (lower body since 11/27), Colin McDonald (upper body), Michael Parks (upper body since 10/17), Dalton Smith (healthy), Jay Rosehill (healthy), Tim Brent (hand/wrist surgery) and Logan Pyett (out indefinitely)
Lines (Starters in Bold/Italics)
Petr Straka - Cole Bardreau - Colin McDonald
Taylor Leier (A) - Phil DeSimone - Chris Conner (A)
Danick Martel - Kevin Goumas - Aaron Palushaj
Tyrell Goulbourne - Joe Rehkamp - Jay Rosehill
Davis Drewiske (A) - Robert Hagg
Sam Morin - Mark Alt
Adam Comrie - Christian Marti
Anthony Stolarz - Martin Ouellette
Recent Transactions
2/27: G Martin Ouellette recalled from loan to Reading (ECHL)
2/26: RW Pavel Padakin returned on loan to Reading (ECHL)
2/22: LW Dalton Smith signed to a professional tryout contract (PTO)
2/18: RW Pavel Padakin recalled from loan to Reading (ECHL)
2/17: RW Pavel Padakin returned on loan to Reading (ECHL)
2/13: D Andrew MacDonald recalled from loan by Philadelphia (NHL)
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