Phantoms Finish Off Season Series With Toronto

Photo credit: Sam B (@flyer4life)

Phantoms Defeat Toronto 4-1

Written by: Tony Androckitis - Twitter/Facebook

Lehigh Valley Phantoms captain Colin McDonald said after Saturday night's loss to Hartford that good teams don't lose back-to-back games.

Tonight in Toronto, the Phantoms (13-5-1) pulled out a 4-1 win thanks to a trio of third period goals and a strong performance in net from Alex Lyon to bounce back into the win column in advance of a busy weekend set of three games in three nights.

Chris Conner gave Lehigh Valley a 1-0 lead in the first period on a power play tally. The Marlies battled back to tie the game at 1-1 on a power play goal of their own, but Lyon (25 saves - 26 shots) held Toronto's talented offensive guns, led by AHL leading scorer Brendan Leipsic, off the score sheet the rest of the night.

Danick Martel deflected Sam Morin's shot past Marlies netminder Antoine Bibeau early in the third period for the go-ahead and eventual game-winning goal. while Jordan Weal capitalized on a Marlies miscue behind their net to seal the deal on the Phantoms' win. Colin McDonald added an empty net goal to complete the 4-1 final score.

The Phantoms return home to prepare for a three-game weekend that features a home and home series with rival Hershey Friday and Saturday nights.

After the jump, a quick recap of the action.

RECAP

The Marlies had the better of play in the first period, but a pair of penalties slowed their momentum and allowed Lehigh Valley to take a 1-0 lead.

The Phantoms power play was a topic of disappointment in the past few games, and they missed on their first man advantage of the night Tuesday to make it eight in a row without a goal. For Lehigh Valley, the ninth time was the charm.

Travis Sanheim deked Colin Smith out of his skates at the offensive zone blue line and was hauled down, sending the Phantoms on a power play they didn't hesitate to capitalize on.

Greg Carey got a hard shot off from the slot on the ensuing face-off to begin the power play, and although it didn't find the back of the net Chris Conner helped it along after making a terrific play in a net-mouth scramble.

The puck from Carey's shot trickled through Antoine Bibeau and Conner found the loose puck in the crease, avoiding a diving Marlies defender and lifting one in to put the Phantoms ahead with 8:34 left in the opening period.

Alex Lyon, in his 8th straight start, was tested early and often in the 1st period but stood tall to keep the Phantoms ahead 1-0 heading to the second period.

The Marlies continued to control much of the play in the second period. If not for some big time saves from Lyon - notably a sliding stop on Kasperi Kapanen's breakaway - this game could have gotten out of hand early.

Toronto got their first power play of the night 6:10 into the middle frame as Travis Sanheim was whistled for cross-checking, and immediately went to work - peppering Lyon with shots.

They were able to tie the game at 1-1 on the man advantage, as the AHL's leading scorer Brendan Leipsic was able to throw one to the slot that was expertly re-directed past Lyon by Andreas Johnsson for his 4th of the season.

The Phantoms had a great chance to re-gain the lead before the end of the period when Toronto took a pair of minor penalties 20 seconds apart with under four minutes left before the second intermission. Unfortunately for Lehigh Valley, the Phantoms were unable to cash in and the game went to the third period even at 1-1.

Lehigh Valley took over in the third period. While they failed to convert on an early period power play, Sam Morin's big blast was deflected past Bibeau by Danick Martel moments later to give the Phantoms the lead back at 2-1.

The Marlies really opened things up from there, looking for another game-tying goal. Lyon was spectacular in net on his way to earning the game's number one star honors - keeping the Phantoms ahead by one until some late scoring support clinched the two points for Lehigh Valley.

Jordan Weal capitalized on a miscue between Froese and Andrew Campbell behind Toronto's net, picking up a loose puck and tallying an unassisted goal to push the Phantoms' lead to 3-1. It was Weal's seventh of the season.

Colin McDonald added an empty net goal in the final seconds on an unselfish play from Taylor Leier to complete the 4-1 final.

ROSTER NOTES - Phantoms

Alex Lyon (25 saves - 26 shots) got his eighth straight start in net tonight for Lehigh Valley.

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 did not play tonight, missing his 10th straight game, but appears to be scheduled to return to the Phantoms' lineup Friday at home against Hershey.

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

Lines (Starters in Bold/Italics)

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

GAME SUMMARY 

1st Period

5:42: TOR - (PP) Moore, minor (hooking)

11:14: TOR - (PP) Smith, minor (hooking)

11:26: LV - PPG Conner (4) - Carey, Weal

2nd Period 

6:10: LV - (PP) Sanheim, minor (cross-checking)

7:30: TOR - PPG Johnsson (4) - Leipsic, Neilsen

12:22: TOR - (PP) Wrenn, minor (holding)

16:02: TOR - (PP) Neilsen, minor (delay of game)

16:22: TOR - (PP) Laich, minor (high-sticking)

18:14: LV - (PP) Leier, minor (tripping)

3rd Period

2:06: TOR - (PP) Wrenn, minor (tripping)
4:44: LV - Martel (5) - Morin, Zengerle
4:59: LV - (PP) Lamarche, minor (slashing)
14:38: LV - (PP) Hagg, minor (slashing)
16:58: LV - Weal (7) - unassisted
18:34: TOR - (PP) Neilsen, minor (slashing)
19:36: LV - PP/EN McDonald (9) - Leier, Sanheim