Game 18 Preview: Hartford at Lehigh Valley

Photo: Nina Weiss/Highland Park Hockey

Phantoms host Hartford - 7:05 p.m. ET

Written by: Tony Androckitis, Twitter/Facebook

I'll have full coverage of tonight's Phantoms game against the Hartford WolfPack. The puck drops at 7:05 p.m. ET, but make sure you're following along on Twitter -> @TonyAndrock & 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' (12-4-1) aim to finish the week with three straight wins when they host the Hartford WolfPack (5-10-3) Saturday night at the PPL Center. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. ET.

The Phantoms own the season series 2-0-1 with the WolfPack, but the road team has won all three contests this season.

After the jump, a preview full of the latest news and notes to get you ready for 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: 17 games played, 12-4-1-0 = 25 points
1st Place Atlantic Division
Streak: 2-0-0-0
Last 10 Games: 9-1-0-0

HFD: 18 games played, 5-10-3-0 = 13 points
7th Place Atlantic Division
Streak: 0-1-1-0
Last 10 Games: 2-5-3-0

Special Teams

Power Play

LV - 20-for-77: 26.0% = T-3rd in AHL
HFD - 11-for-76: 14.5% = 21st in AHL

Penalty Kill

LV - 55-for-65: 84.6% = 14th in AHL
HFD - 52-for-71: 73.2% = 27th in AHL

Leading Scorers

LV: Jordan Weal (15GP, 6G-11A), T.J. Brennan (17GP, 5G-11A) and Taylor Leier (17GP, 5G-11A)
HFD: Marek Hrivik (18GP, 7G-8A), Nicklas Jensen (18GP, 6G-5A) and Mat Bodie (14GP, 4G-6A)

Expected Starting Goaltenders

LV: Alex Lyon (9GP. 6-2-1, 2.55 GAA, .919 SV%, 1 SO)
HFD: Brandon Halverson (3GP, 1-2-0, 4.60 GAA, .813 SV%, 0 SO)

Season Series

This is the fourth of eight meetings between the Phantoms and Wolf Pack this season. The Phantoms lead the season series 2-0-1. Hartford defeated Lehigh Valley in overtime in their first meeting at the PPL Center on October 22nd, but the Phantoms have dominated the season series since then with back to back wins in Hartford four weeks ago.

Season Series Schedule

Saturday, October 22nd: Hartford - 5 at Lehigh Valley - 4 (OT)
Friday, October 28th: Lehigh Valley - 5 at Hartford - 1
Wednesday, November 2nd: Lehigh Valley - 4 at Hartford - 0
Saturday, November 26th: Hartford at Lehigh Valley - 7:05 p.m. ET
Friday, January 6th: Lehigh Valley at Hartford - 7:15 p.m. ET
Friday, February 17th: Hartford at Lehigh Valley - 7:05 p.m. ET
Saturday, February 18th: Hartford at Lehigh Valley - 7:05 p.m. ET
Saturday, March 4th: Lehigh Valley at Hartford - 3:00 p.m. ET

Lehigh Valley Phantoms

Roster Notes 

Expected Scratches: Andy Miele (injured) and Reece Willcox (healthy)

Expected Lines 

Taylor Leier (A) - Corban Knight - Colin McDonald (C)

Danick Martel - Jordan Weal - Chris Conner

Greg Carey - Cole Bardreau - Mark Zengerle

Steven Swavely - Radel Fazleev - Nicolas Aube-Kubel

T.J. Brennan - Max Lamarche

Sam Morin - Travis Sanheim

Will O'Neill (A) - Robert Hagg

Alex Lyon - Martin Ouellette

Recent Transactions

11/23: DEL - C Scott Laughton recalled from loan by Philadelphia (NHL)
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)