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| Lehigh Valley takes on Toronto tonight at 7:00 p.m. ET. Photo: Nina Weiss/The Home News |
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The Lehigh Valley Phantoms (27-30-3-3) finish their five-game road trip in Toronto tonight against a more than formidable opponent in the Toronto Marlies. Entering tonight's game seven points behind the Portland Pirates for the final playoff position, the Phantoms have just 13 games left on the schedule to make a last ditch effort towards postseason contention. Portland, who visits the PPL Center on Sunday, has three games in hand on Lehigh Valley entering tonight's games and the Phantoms' window to make a push toward the playoffs have all but closed at this point.
Tonight's opponent, the Toronto Marlies (44-14-5-0), are far and away the top team in the entire American Hockey League. They not only lead the Eastern Conference by a wide margin, but also have 11 more points than the top team in the Western Conference. Entering tonight's game, the Marlies' magic number to clinch a playoff spot is just three points.
All of the regular news, notes, stats and more to get you ready for tonight's game in a full preview after the jump.
Tonight's opponent, the Toronto Marlies (44-14-5-0), are far and away the top team in the entire American Hockey League. They not only lead the Eastern Conference by a wide margin, but also have 11 more points than the top team in the Western Conference. Entering tonight's game, the Marlies' magic number to clinch a playoff spot is just three points.
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
Power Play
LV: Chris Conner (46GP, 13G-30A), Taylor Leier (58GP,18G-24A), Petr Straka (53GP, 18G-17A), Danick Martel (55GP, 21G-12A)
This is the second and final meeting between the Phantoms and Marlies. Back on Sunday October 25th, Lehigh Valley had trouble generating much of anything at the tail end of a three-in-three against Toronto. The two teams were much different then than they are now, as almost five months have passed since the previous meeting.
LV: Taylor Leier (1GP, 1G-0A)
Anthony Stolarz is back from his short stint as a backup in Philadelphia and should get the start in net tonight for Lehigh Valley. Martin Ouellette has been returned to Reading, and Jason LaBarbera will be the backup tonight.
Max Lamarche left the Phantoms' game Saturday in Hartford early in the second period after still feeling ill effects of a check to the head he took from Wolf Pack defenseman Brady Skjei. Lamarche didn't practice Tuesday or play Wednesday night in Rochester and while yesterday's AHL transactions had Jespser Pettersson listed as called up to Lehigh Valley, the league has since removed the transaction.
Regardless, the Phantoms still have six other healthy defensemen on the roster ready to go if Lamarche isn't 100%.
Captain Colin McDonald won't play tonight and continues to nurse a nagging ailment that has seen him miss some games from time to time. Jay Rosehill will return to the Phantoms lineup against his former team.
LV: 63 games played, 27-30-3-3 = 60 points
7th Place - Atlantic Division
Last 10 Games: 3-5-1-1
Streak: 0-4-1-0
TOR: 63 games played, 44-14-5-0 = 93 points
1st Place - North Division
Last 10 Games: 4-5-1-0
Streak: 0-1-1-0
Special Teams
Power Play
LV: 17.1% - 14th in AHL
TOR: 16.7% - 17th in AHL
Penalty Kill
LV: 82.2% - 18th in AHL
TOR: 84.0% - 13th in AHL
Leading Scorers (Active)
LV: Chris Conner (46GP, 13G-30A), Taylor Leier (58GP,18G-24A), Petr Straka (53GP, 18G-17A), Danick Martel (55GP, 21G-12A)
TOR: T.J. Brennan (62GP, 22G-36A), Mark Arcobello (39GP, 22G-28A), Colin Smith (64GP, 17G-27A), Brendan Leipsic (54GP, 17G-26A)
Expected Starting Goaltenders
LV: Anthony Stolarz (19-15-6, 2.59 GAA, .916 SV%, 0 SO)
TOR: Alex Stalock (2-2-0, 2.49 GAA, .915 SV%, 0 SO)
Season Series
This is the second and final meeting between the Phantoms and Marlies. Back on Sunday October 25th, Lehigh Valley had trouble generating much of anything at the tail end of a three-in-three against Toronto. The two teams were much different then than they are now, as almost five months have passed since the previous meeting.
Head to Head Scoring Leaders
LV: Taylor Leier (1GP, 1G-0A)
TOR: Nikita Soshnikov (1GP, 2G-0A), Richard Clune (1GP, 0G-2A), Frederik Gauthier (1GP, 1G-0A)
Goalies Head to Head Stats
LV: Anthony Stolarz - (1GP, 0-1-0, 3.10 GAA, .880 SV%, 0 SO)
Jason LaBarbera - No Stats
Jason LaBarbera - No Stats
TOR Antoine Bibeau (1GP, 1-0-0, 1.00 GAA, .955 SV%, 0 SO)
Alex Stalock - No Stats
Alex Stalock - No Stats
Season Series Schedule
Sunday 10/25, Toronto - 3 at Lehigh Valley - 1
Friday 3/18, Lehigh Valley at Toronto - 7:00 p.m. ET
Lehigh Valley Phantoms
Roster Notes
Anthony Stolarz is back from his short stint as a backup in Philadelphia and should get the start in net tonight for Lehigh Valley. Martin Ouellette has been returned to Reading, and Jason LaBarbera will be the backup tonight.
Max Lamarche left the Phantoms' game Saturday in Hartford early in the second period after still feeling ill effects of a check to the head he took from Wolf Pack defenseman Brady Skjei. Lamarche didn't practice Tuesday or play Wednesday night in Rochester and while yesterday's AHL transactions had Jespser Pettersson listed as called up to Lehigh Valley, the league has since removed the transaction.
Regardless, the Phantoms still have six other healthy defensemen on the roster ready to go if Lamarche isn't 100%.
Captain Colin McDonald won't play tonight and continues to nurse a nagging ailment that has seen him miss some games from time to time. Jay Rosehill will return to the Phantoms lineup against his former team.
Scratches from Wednesday: Michael Parks (upper body since 10/17), Max Lamarche (upper body), Jay Rosehill (healthy), Joe Rehkamp (healthy) and Logan Pyett (out indefinitely).
Lines From Wednesday's Game:
Lines From Wednesday's Game:
Aaron Palushaj - Cole Bardreau - Colin McDonald (C)
Taylor Leier - Phil DeSimone - Chris Conner
Danick Martel - Tim Brent - Petr Straka
Tyrell Goulbourne - Steven Swavely - Dalton Smith
Sam Morin - Mark Alt
Davis Drewiske (A) - Christian Marti
Adam Comrie - Robert Hagg
Davis Drewiske (A) - Christian Marti
Adam Comrie - Robert Hagg
Anthony Stolarz - Jason LaBarbera
Recent Transactions - Phantoms
3/13: ADD - G Anthony Stolarz returned on loan from Philadelphia (NHL)
3/12: DEL - G Martin Ouellette loaned to Reading (ECHL)
3/12: ADD - G Martin Ouellette recalled from loan to Reading (ECHL)
3/12: DEL - G Anthony Stolarz recalled from loan by Philadelphia (NHL)
3/10: DEL - C Kevin Goumas loaned to Reading (ECHL)
3/10: DEL - LW Kevin Sundher loaned to Reading (ECHL)
3/8: ADD - C Steven Swavely added on an ATO
3/12: DEL - G Martin Ouellette loaned to Reading (ECHL)
3/12: ADD - G Martin Ouellette recalled from loan to Reading (ECHL)
3/12: DEL - G Anthony Stolarz recalled from loan by Philadelphia (NHL)
3/10: DEL - C Kevin Goumas loaned to Reading (ECHL)
3/10: DEL - LW Kevin Sundher loaned to Reading (ECHL)
3/8: ADD - C Steven Swavely added on an ATO
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