Phantoms Post Game EXTRA 10/7

Robert Hagg was paired with Travis Sanheim Friday night. Photo: Nina Weiss/Highland Park Hockey

Editor's Note: Testing out a potential new regular story to follow up the post-game recaps this season, tying everything together and giving some final thoughts/insights before moving forward to the next one.

Written by: Tony Androckitis, Twitter/Facebook

T.J. Brennan put it best after tonight's game. Everyone loves to win. Nobody likes losing, or feels good about a 6-1 loss like tonight's preseason opener.

The key word in that last sentence is 'preseason'. From a fan's standpoint, it was certainly a frustrating night for the Phantoms. I'm sure the players were a little frustrated with the outcome, but what's important is that the team continues to work on what they have been all week at practice and apply it properly in a game situation. That's what the preseason is for, after all.

So here it is. Your Phantoms post-game extra. I'll try to tie everything together to give a greater understanding of what's going on with the Philadelphia Flyers' AHL affiliate and their top prospects playing at the pro-level.

Tonight, it's a video interview with defenseman Travis Sanheim and my final thoughts on the preseason opener. If you missed it, here's tonight's recap of the action.

Post-Game Video Interview

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Defenseman Travis Sanheim

Final Thoughts

• Tough to pin the preseason loss on Anthony Stolarz. Yes, he surrendered six goals in the opening 40 minutes but there were plenty of breakdowns, miscues and turnovers in front of him as well. Your typical sloppy preseason opener, if you will.

• Travis Sanheim was one a few bright spots for Lehigh Valley tonight. He created the offense to get the Phantoms on the board, blowing down the right wing on a zone entry on the game's opening power play and feeding it to Greg Carey in the middle. Sanheim also saw quality minutes on the penalty kill and at even strength.

• The top line of Greg Carey-Andy Miele-Chris Conner could be a potential trio for the Phantoms moving forward. The three are all high-end skill players and looked to be forming some chemistry as the game wore on.

• The trio of Danick Martel - Mark Zengerle - Nicolas Aube-Kubel had some great shifts tonight. I was particularly impressed with Zengerle's vision and passing ability in the offensive zone. It seemed like when the puck was on his stick, that good things were happening for Lehigh Valley.

• I think the Phantoms might have four of their top six defensemen paired up for the season. Robert Hagg and Travis Sanheim as a unit and the offensive-minded T.J. Brennan paired with the stay-at-home Reece Willcox seems like a good fit.