Game 31 Preview: Lehigh Valley at Rochester

Friday, December 30, 2016
The Phantoms won't have to worry about Justin Bailey tonight. Bailey was called up to Buffalo Thursday. Photo: Nina Weiss/Highland Park Hockey
 Phantoms Finish 2016 in Rochester

I'll have full coverage of tonight's Phantoms game against the Rochester Americans. 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 (21-8-1) look to finish the calendar year with a season sweep of the Rochester Americans (12-18-1) tonight.

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

Written by: Tony Androckitis, Twitter/Facebook

By The Numbers

LV: 30 games played, 21-8-1-0 = 43 points
2nd Place Atlantic Division
Streak: 1-0-0-0
Last 10 Games: 8-2-0-0

RCH: 31 games played, 12-18-0-1 = 25 points
6th Place North Division
Streak: 0-3-0-0
Last 10 Games: 3-7-0-0

Special Teams

Power Play

LV - 32-for-146: 21.9% = 7th in AHL
RCH - 22-for-127: 17.3% = 15th in AHL

Penalty Kill

LV - 93-for-110: 84.5% = 7th in AHL
RCH - 108-for-131: 82.4% = 14th in AHL

Leading Scorers

LV: Jordan Weal (28GP, 10G-20A), T.J. Brennan (30GP, 10G-16A) and Greg Carey (30GP, 15G-8A)
RCH: Cal O'Reilly (28GP, 6G-23A), Cole Schneider (26GP, 11G-17A) and Nick Baptiste (23GP, 14G-4A)

Starting Goaltenders

LV: Alex Lyon (21GP. 14-6-1, 2.71 GAA, .908 SV%, 1 SO)
RCH: Linus Ullmark (24GP, 11-13-1, 3.00 GAA, .909 SV%, 0 SO)

Season Series

Tonight marks the fourth and final scheduled meeting in the regular season between the Phantoms and Americans. Lehigh Valley enters tonight's game leading the season series 3-0 with their most recent triumph coming in Rochester two days ago.

Season Series Schedule

Friday, December 9th: Rochester - 3 at Lehigh Valley - 4
Saturday, December 10th: Rochester - 2 at Lehigh Valley - 4
Wednesday, December 28th: Lehigh Valley - 4 at Rochester - 2
Friday, December 30th: Lehigh Valley at Rochester - 7:05 p.m. ET

Lehigh Valley Phantoms

Roster Notes 

Alex Lyon is expected to get the start in net tonight against Rochester. He's started all but one of the team's last 19 games entering tonight's tilt.

Defenseman Will O'Neill will sat out Wednesday night's game to serve his one-game suspension from the left-handed swat at a Hershey player after the final horn in Monday's loss to the Bears. Expect him to be back in the Phantoms lineup tonight.

Mark Alt is nearing a return to the Phantoms' lineup after a shoulder injury in NHL preseason action resulted in surgery and a lengthy absence. He hasn't been officially reassigned from Philadelphia yet, though he did travel with the Phantoms to Rochester. He should be able to make his regular season debut next weekend.

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

Phantoms Lines 

Cole Bardreau - Scott Laughton - Colin McDonald (C)
Danick Martel - Jordan Weal - Nicolas Aube-Kubel
Greg Carey - Andy Miele - Chris Conner
Corban Knight - Radel Fazleev - Mark Zengerle

T.J. Brennan - Max Lamarche
Sam Morin - Travis Sanheim
Will O'Neill - Robert Hagg

Alex Lyon - Martin Ouellette

Recent Transactions

12/21: ADD - G Martin Ouellette returned from loan to Reading (ECHL)
12/19: DEL - G Martin Ouellette returned on loan to Reading (ECHL)
12/11: ADD - F Steven Swavely returned from loan to Reading (ECHL)
12/11: ADD - D Max Lamarche returned from loan to Reading (ECHL)
12/11: DEL - F Kevin Sundher returned on loan to Reading (ECHL)
12/9: ADD - F Kevin Sundher returned from loan to Reading (ECHL)
12/9: DEL - D Max Lamarche returned on loan to Reading (ECHL)
12/9: DEL - F Steven Swavely returned on loan to Reading (ECHL)
12/5: ADD - C Scott Laughton loaned from Philadelphia (NHL)
12/5: DEL - F Taylor Leier recalled from loan by Philadelphia (NHL)

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