TRANSACTIONS
Mar 29 – Felix Sandstrom (G) loaned to Phantoms from Philadelphia
Mar 30 – Parker Gahagen (G) loaned by Phantoms to Reading (ECHL)
Apr 1 – Mason Millman (D) reassigned by Philadelphia to Reading (ECHL)
PLAYOFF FEVER
The Lehigh Valley Phantoms have pushed ahead of the Springfield Thunderbirds for the last playoff spot in the Atlantic Division with just 9 games remaining.
Lehigh Valley’s Magic Number to clinch a playoff spot is at 15 points.
The top six teams in the Atlantic qualify for the Calder Cup Playoffs. The first round is a Best of 3 series and right now would see the Phantoms take on the Charlotte Checkers in a 6 vs. 3 matchup in late April which would also be a rematch of last year’s postseason clash in which the Checkers rallied from behind to steal a 2-1 series win. The possible rematch is hardly a guarantee though. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton is only two points behind Charlotte for the 3 spot and the Penguins also have one game in hand.
Lehigh Valley’s second-round matchup would be against first-place Hershey in a Best of 5 series.
BROOKS IS COOKING
Adam Brooks had his five-game goal streak snapped on Saturday despite several strong chances at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. Brooks fell one short of the Lehigh Valley record six-game goal streak by Danick Martel in the 2017-18 season. Brooks is also on a seven-game point streak since March 15 which is tied for the longest by a Phantom this season (also Olle Lycksell Nov 12 – Dec 1). Brooks has scored 6-7-13 over his last seven games.
The Lehigh Valley record for longest point streak is 10 games by Jason Akeson in the inaugural 2014-15 season.
WHAT A DEBUT
Rookie defenseman Hunter McDonald played his first full pro game on Friday at Syracuse and instantly impressed. McDonald was physical and active and finished with a +4 rating in Lehigh Valley’s 6-4 win at Syracuse. The Fairport, NY native used to play in the very same arena as a kid with the youth Syracuse Stars. The 21-year-old checks in at 6’4″ and was a Round 6 selection of the Flyers in 2021 before playing two seasons at Northeastern University. All of this after his official debut at PPL Center on March 23 was cut short due to injury after just two shifts. But McDonald was cleared to return to play quickly and thrived in central New York.
PHANTASTIC!
The Phantoms record when:
– Score 4 or more goals: 19-0-2
– Allow 3 or fewer goals: 18-6-3
– Lead After 1st period: 8-1-2
– Lead After 2nd period: 15-2-1
– One-Goal Games: 18-7-8
– Overtime: 6-5 / Shootout: 4-3
HELLO AGAIN, HERSHEY!
Hershey (47-12-5) is running away with the Atlantic Division and is in pursuit of the all-time AHL record for best points percentage in a full season. The defending Calder Cup Champs also sit at 99 standings points as they look to become the first team this season to reach the Century mark. But Lehigh Valley has done well against the crew from Chocolatetown. In fact, better than any other team. The Phantoms are 4-4-2 against Hershey including an unusual 1-0 shootout win against the Bears in their last meeting on March 3 at PPL Center when Cal Petersen’s shutout earned the win over Clay Stevenson’s shutout. In fact, the Phantoms have gone 3-1-1 against Hershey in the last five matchups, all in 2024. Four out of the ten games have gone to overtime.
Joe Snively (11-38-49) and Alex Limoges (21-24-45) pace the offense. Pierrick Dube (26-16-42) and Ethen Frank (25-16-41) are also in the 20+ goal department and Dube has scored five of his goals against the Phantoms. The stingy Bears allow less than 2.1 goals and under 26 shots per contest, both tops in the AHL. Goaltenders Hunter Shepard (24-3-3, 1.86, .925) and Clay Stevenson (21-9-2, 1.97, .925) are first and second in the AHL in goals-against average.
