Game 19 Preview: Lehigh Valley at Toronto

Photo: Nina Weiss/Highland Park Hockey

Phantoms Finish Season Series With Toronto

Written by: Tony Androckitis, Twitter/Facebook

I'll have full coverage of tonight's Phantoms game against the Toronto Marlies. 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' (12-5-1) aim to finish the month of November with a win over the Toronto Marlies (10-5-1-1).

While the Phantoms have been hot in November (10-2 in 12 games this month), Toronto has seemingly cooled off, with four of their five regulation losses coming in the last 10 games, but are on a two-game unbeaten in regulation streak entering their home matchup with the Phantoms tonight at the Ricoh Coliseum.

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, 12-5-1-0 = 25 points
2nd Place Atlantic Division
Streak: 0-1-0-0
Last 10 Games: 8-2-0-0

TOR: 17 games played, 10-5-1-1 = 22 points
3rd Place North Division
Streak: 1-0-1-0
Last 10 Games: 4-4-1-1

Special Teams

Power Play

LV - 20-for-80: 25.0% = T-3rd in AHL
TOR - 18-for-76: 23.7% = 7th in AHL

Penalty Kill

LV - 55-for-66: 83.3% = 14th in AHL
TOR - 68-for-87: 78.2% = 24th in AHL

Leading Scorers

LV: Jordan Weal (16GP, 6G-11A), T.J. Brennan (18GP, 5G-11A) and Taylor Leier (18GP, 5G-11A)
TOR: Brendan Leipsic (17GP, 6G-16A), Kasperi Kapanen (17GP, 9G-7A) and Byron Froese (17GP, 9G-3A)

Expected Starting Goaltenders

LV: Alex Lyon (10GP. 6-3-1, 2.60 GAA, .916 SV%, 1 SO)
TOR: Antoine Bibeau (12GP, 6-4-2, 2.50 GAA, .908 SV%, 3 SO)

Season Series

This is the final meeting between the Phantoms and Marlies this season. Lehigh Valley routed Toronto 7-2 on their home ice back in mid-November.

Season Series Schedule

Saturday, November 12th: Toronto -2 at Lehigh Valley - 7
Tuesday, November 29th: Lehigh Valley at Toronto - 7:00 p.m. ET

Lehigh Valley Phantoms

Roster Notes 

If Alex Lyon gets the nod for Lehigh Valley tonight, it will mark his eighth straight start.

Goaltender Martin Ouellette was returned to Reading Sunday so he could get the start for the Royals and get in some game action after having served as Lyon's backup since Anthony Stolarz got called up to Philadelphia.

Max Lamarche has been playing well for Lehigh Valley in his latest stint in the lineup. Robert Hagg returned to action and bumped Reece Willcox out of the lineup last weekend.

Andy Miele isn't expected to play tonight, but appears to be scheduled to return to the Phantoms' lineup Friday at home against Hershey.

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

11/28: 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)