Game 47 Preview: Lehigh Valley at Bridgeport

The Phantoms and Sound Tigers are back at it after the AHL All-Star break. 

The Lehigh Valley Phantoms (22-21-2-1) look to keep on rolling in their first game back after the AHL All-Star break. They'll try to extend their season-high win streak to six games tonight at the Webster Bank Arena against the Bridgeport Sound Tigers (23-19-2-1). Puck drops at 7:00 p.m. ET.

It's only the third of six scheduled meetings between the two teams, but the road team has won both meetings. In the last meeting, back on January 17th, both teams entered the contest in the midst of five-game losing streaks, which the Phantoms ended with a 4-1 win a chippy, physical Sunday game.

I'll have full coverage of tonight's game between the Phantoms and Sound Tigers live from Webster Bank Arena. For all the latest in-game updates, as well as exclusive post-game reaction from the locker room, follow along on Twitter @TonyAndrock.

For views from the opponent, make sure you are following Sound Tigers beat writer Michael Fornabaio of the Connecticut Post on Twitter @fornabaioctp.

News, notes, stats, numbers and a whole bunch more after the jump.

By The Numbers

LV: 46 games played, 22-21-2-1 = 47 points
7th Place - Atlantic Division
Last 10 Games: 5-5-0-0
Streak: 5-0-0

BST: 45 games played, 23-19-2-1 = 49 points
5th Place - Atlantic Division
Last 10 Games: 4-6-0-0
Streak: 4-0-0

Special Teams

Power Play

LV: 16.1% - 19th in AHL
BST: 9,9% - 30th in AHL

Penalty Kill

LV: 82.8% - 17th in AHL
BST: 86.2% - 4th in AHL

Leading Scorers

LV: Nick Cousins (38GP, 12G-26A), Andrew MacDonald (39GP, 5G-25A), Taylor Leier (41GP, 12G-26A), Chris Conner (29GP, 10G-18A)

BST: Bracken Kearns (44GP, 13G-21A), Joe Whitney (36GP, 14G-19A), Taylor Beck (35GP, 13G-9A), Alan Quine (30GP, 7G-14A)

Expected Starting Goaltenders

LV: Jason LaBarbera (6-9-0, 2.80 GAA, .906 SV%, 1 SO)
BST: Christopher Gibson (11-8-3, 2.36 GAA, .915 SV%, 2 SO)

Season Series

This is the third of six scheduled meetings between Lehigh Valley and Bridgeport this season. The season series is tied at 1-1 entering tonight's game, with each team winning their game as the road team.

Head to Head Scoring Leaders

LV: Chris Conner (1GP, 1G-1A), Taylor Leier (2GP, 1G-0A), Danick Martel (1GP, 1G-0A)

BST: Joe Whitney (1GP, 1G-0A), Mike Halmo (2GP, 1G-0A), Taylor Beck (2GP, 1G-0A)

Goalies Head to Head Stats

LV: Jason LaBarbera (1GP, 1-0-0, 1.00 GAA, .977 SV%, 0 SO)
       Martin Ouellette - No Stats

BST: Christopher Gibson (1GP, 1-0-0, 1.01 GAA, .955 SV%, 0 SO)
          Parker Milner (1GP, 0-1-0, 4.01 GAA, .857 SV%, 0 SO)

Season Series Schedule

Sat. 12/26, Bridgeport - 2 at Lehigh Valley - 1
Sun. 1/17, Lehigh Valley - 4 at Bridgeport - 1
Fri. 2/5, Lehigh Valley at Bridgeport - 7:00 p.m. ET
Sat. 2/20, Bridgeport at Lehigh Valley - 7:05 p.m. ET
Sat. 4/9, Bridgeport at Lehigh Valley - 7:05 p.m. ET
Sun. 4/10, Lehigh Valley at Bridgeport - 5:00 p.m. ET

Lehigh Valley Phantoms

Roster Notes

Anthony Stolarz is with the Philadelphia Flyers while Michal Neuvirth is injured. The Phantoms called up Martin Ouellette from Reading (ECHL) to serve as Jason LaBarbera's backup this weekend.

Tim Brent is going to be out long term after having surgery to repair his injured hand.

Aaron Palushaj didn't play Friday for Lehigh Valley, still recovering from a slew foot hit from Liam O'Brien in the third period of 1/25's game in Hershey. He was a full participant in Phantoms' practice Thursday and should be back in the lineup soon.

Pavel Padakin is back with Lehigh Valley after a 17-game stint in the ECHL with Reading. I caught up with Padakin and head coach Scott Gordon, who said he was pleased with Padakin's play Wednesday night against Binghamton.

Phantoms Injured List: Kevin Sundher (lower body), Michael Parks (upper body), Petr Straka (lower body), Tim Brent (hand/wrist surgery) and Logan Pyett (out indefinitely)

Lines from Saturday's Game:

Taylor Leier - Nick Cousins - Chris Conner
Danick Martel - Cole Bardreau - Colin McDonald (C)
Tyrell Goulbourne - Philip DeSimone - Pavel Padakin
Kevin Goumas - Joe Rehkamp

Andrew MacDonald (A) - Maxim Lamarche
Sam Morin - Mark Alt
Davis Drewiske (A) - Adam Comrie
Robert Hagg

Jason LaBarbera - Anthony Stolarz

Recent Transactions

2/4: G Martin Ouellette recalled from loan to Reading (ECHL) 
2/2: G Anthony Stolarz recalled on loan by Philadelphia (NHL)
1/28: G Jason LaBarbera returned on loan from Philadelphia (NHL)
1/28: G Martin Ouellette loaned to Reading (ECHL)
1/27: RW Pavel Padakin recalled from loan to Reading (ECHL)