Game 15 Preview: Lehigh Valley at Bridgeport

The Phantoms haven't had much to celebrate against Bridgeport so far this season. Photo: Nina Weiss/Highland Park Hockey

Phantoms Finish Weekend In Bridgeport

Written by: Tony Androckitis, Twitter/Facebook

I'll have full coverage of tonight's Phantoms game against the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. The puck drops at 7:05 p.m. ET, but make sure you're following along on Twitter -> @TonyAndrock and Facebook (be sure to like the Facebook page!) for all the latest updates and information.

Stay tuned here online after the game for a recap of the action. Don't forget to subscribe to Highland Park Hockey's YouTube channel for post-game interviews with AHL hockey players.

The Lehigh Valley Phantoms (10-3-1) are simply on a roll in November, entering tonight's contest in Bridgeport against the Sound Tigers (8-5-0) on an eight-game winning streak.

Last night in Providence, it took a miraculous 3rd period comeback for Lehigh Valley to extend the streak to eight. Despite not playing their best, the Phantoms were able to rally from a 3-1 third period deficit to not only force overtime but win the game in the extra session.

Bridgeport came up short in Wilkes-Barre last night against the Atlantic Division-leading Penguins, but the Sound Tigers are 2-0 against the Phantoms so far this season.

After the jump, a full preview of everything you need to know in advance of tonight's game.

You can help keep me on the road covering the Lehigh Valley Phantoms this season by making a donation via GoFundMe or PayPal.

By The Numbers

LV: 14 games played, 10-3-1-0 = 21 points
2nd Place Atlantic Division
Streak: 8-0-0-0
Last 10 Games: 8-2-0-0

BST: 13 games played, 8-5-0-0 = 16 points
4th Place Atlantic Division
Streak: 0-1-0-0
Last 10 Games: 6-4-0-0

Special Teams

Power Play

LV - 18-for-67: 26.9% = 3rd in AHL
BST - 6-for-44: 13.6% = 26th in AHL

Penalty Kill

LV - 48-for-57: 84.2% = 16th in AHL
BST - 63-for-72: 88.9% = 3rd in AHL

Leading Scorers

LV: Jordan Weal (13GP, 4G-11A), Greg Carey (14GP, 10G-3A) and T.J. Brennan (14GP, 4G-9A)
BST: Bracken Kearns (13GP, 6G-7A), Michael Dal Colle (13GP, 5G-1A) and Carter Verhaeghe (11GP, 4G-2A)

Expected Starting Goaltenders

LV: Alex Lyon (6GP. 4-1-1, 2.64 GAA, .920 SV%, 0 SO)
BST: Eamon McAdam (1st start)

Season Series

This is the third of eight scheduled meetings this season. The Sound Tigers won both meetings in the season series thus far, tallying five goals in each game.

Season Series Schedule

Friday, October 21st: Bridgeport - 5 at Lehigh Valley - 2
Saturday, October 29th: Lehigh Valley - 4 at Bridgeport - 5
Saturday, November 19th: Lehigh Valley at Bridgeport - 7:05 p.m. ET
Sunday, December 4th: Lehigh Valley at Bridgeport - 3:00 p.m. ET
Wednesday, December 14th: Bridgeport at Lehigh Valley - 7:05 p.m. ET
Saturday, January 28th: Lehigh Valley at Bridgeport - 7:05 p.m. ET
Sunday, March 26th: Bridgeport at Lehigh Valley - 5:05 p.m. ET
Friday, March 31st: Bridgeport at Lehigh Valley - 7:05 p.m. ET

Lehigh Valley Phantoms

Roster Notes 

Alex Lyon is expected to get the start in net tonight for Lehigh Valley, coming off four straight wins. In three of those four wins, he's allowed just one goal in each game.

Jordan Weal took part in Friday's morning skate in Providence, but did not play. Steven Swavely, who was told around noontime after Reading's morning skate in nearby Manchester, NH, drove down to Providence and played in his first AHL game this season with the Phantoms.

The Phantoms reassigned Tyrell Goulbourne to Reading to get him into some game action following a six-game stint as a healthy scratch. In his ECHL debut last night, Goulbourne was a minus one and recorded two shots in the Royals' 2-1 loss to Manchester.

Andy Miele and Robert Hagg both remained out of practice, and Scott Gordon confirmed the two are getting closer to returning to practice and could be back as soon as next week. They are not expected to play this weekend.

Expected Scratches: Robert Hagg (head), Andy Miele (upper body) and Jordan Weal

Expected Lines 

Taylor Leier (A) - Scott Laughton - Colin McDonald (C)

Greg Carey - Mark Zengerle - Chris Conner

Danick Martel - Radel Fazleev - Corban Knight

Steven Swavely - Cole Bardreau - Nicolas Aube-Kubel

T.J. Brennan - Reece Willcox

Sam Morin - Travis Sanheim

Will O'Neill (A) - Max Lamarche

Alex Lyon - Martin Ouellette

Recent Transactions

11/18: ADD - F Steven Swavely returned on loan from Reading (ECHL)

11/17: DEL - F Tyrell Goulbourne loaned to Reading (ECHL)

11/15: ADD - G Martin Ouellette recalled from loan by Lehigh Valley (AHL)

11/14: DEL - G Anthony Stolarz recalled from loan by Philadelphia (NHL)

11/10: DEL - F Roman Lyubimov recalled from loan by Philadelphia (NHL)

11/9: ADD - C Scott Laughton returned on loan from Philadelphia (NHL)