Game 23 Preview: Lehigh Valley at Syracuse

Photo: Nina Weiss/Highland Park Hockey

Phantoms take on Syracuse at 7:00 p.m. ET

Written by: Tony Androckitis, Twitter/Facebook

I'll have full coverage of tonight's Phantoms game against the Syracuse Crunch. The puck drops at 7:00 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 (15-6-1) continue on their tough schedule with another road game against another top team when they take on the current first place team in the North Division - the Syracuse Crunch (12-6-2) - at the OnCenter War Memorial Arena.

Some light at the end of the tunnel as the Phantoms will enter a season high six-game homestand this weekend leading into the holidays, but a tough mid-week matchup with a tough Syracuse must not be taken lightly.

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: 22 games played, 15-6-1-0 = 31 points
2nd Place Atlantic Division
Streak: 2-0-0-0
Last 10 Games: 7-3-0-0

SYR: 20 games played, 12-6-0-2 = 26 points
1st Place North Division
Streak: 0-1-0-0
Last 10 Games: 6-3-0-1

Special Teams

Power Play

LV - 26-for-104: 25.0% = 4th in AHL
SYR - 17-for-97: 17.5% = T-17th in AHL

Penalty Kill

LV - 69-for-83: 83.1% = 13th in AHL
SYR - 66-for-81: 81.5% = 15th in AHL

Leading Scorers

LV: Jordan Weal (20GP, 9G-15A), Greg Carey (22GP, 10G-8A) and T.J. Brennan (22GP, 7G-11A)
SYR: Matt Taormina (15GP, 6G-12A), Yanni Gourde (20GP, 5G-11A) and Tanner Richard (17GP, 6G-9A)

Expected Starting Goaltenders

LV: Alex Lyon (13GP. 8-4-1, 2.54 GAA, .916 SV%, 1 SO)
SYR: Adam Willcox (11GP, 8-3-0, 2.14 GAA, .917 SV%, 1 SO)

Season Series

Tonight marks the first of only two scheduled meetings in the regular season. The Crunch will visit the PPL Center on March 15th,

Season Series Schedule

Wednesday, December 7th: Lehigh Valley at Syracuse - 7:00 p.m. ET
Wednesday, March 15th: Syracuse at Lehigh Valley - 7:05 p.m. ET

Lehigh Valley Phantoms

Roster Notes 

Alex Lyon is expected to get the start in net tonight in Syracuse.

With Taylor Leier recalled to Philadelphia and Scott Laughton back with Lehigh Valley, the lines were juggled a bit in practice this week.

Mark Alt is skating at practice with the Phantoms in a red no-contact jersey. While he's not expected back until the end of the month, it's always a good sign to see a guy get back on the ice with the team after an extended absence. Alt's shoulder injury in the September 28th NHL preseason game against the New Jersey Devils required surgery and he hasn't played in a game yet this year.

Expected Scratches: Steven Swavely (healthy) and Reece Willcox (healthy)

Expected Lines 

Greg Carey - Scott Laughton - Colin McDonald (C)

Danick Martel - Jordan Weal - Chris Conner

Nicolas Aube-Kubel - Andy Miele - Mark Zengerle

Corban Knight - Cole Bardreau - Radel Fazleev

T.J. Brennan - Max Lamarche

Sam Morin - Travis Sanheim

Will O'Neill (A) - Robert Hagg

Alex Lyon - Martin Ouellette

Recent Transactions

12/5: ADD - C Scott Laughton loaned from Philadelphia (NHL)
12/5: DEL - F Taylor Leier recalled from loan by Philadelphia (NHL)
11/28: ADD - G Martin Ouellette recalled from loan by Lehigh Valley (AHL)
11/27: DEL - G Martin Ouellette loaned to Reading (ECHL)
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)