PREVIEW: Phantoms vs. Wolf Pack, Game #50
Sunday, February 19, 2023 at 5:05 p.m.
Lehigh Valley Phantoms (24-19-5) vs. Hartford Wolf Pack (20-20-9)
PPL Center, Allentown, PA
TONIGHT
The Lehigh Valley Phantoms welcome the Hartford Wolf Pack, AHL affiliate of the New York Rangers, in a Whiteout Weekend finale at PPL Center.
Lehigh Valley (25-19-5) is coming off an invigorating come-from-behind 4-3 shootout win against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins to take sole possession of fourth place in the Atlantic Division.
Hartford also pulled off a two-goal rally in the third to knock off the first place Providence Bruins in overtime.
This is Hartford’s first appearance to PPL Center. The season series is even at 1-1. There are just 23 games remaining in the regular season.
The Phantoms will once again be sporting their snazzy and bright all-white look while meLVin celebrates his birthday with his mascot friends. There is a postgame skate with the Phantoms players as well. Fans are encouraged to bring their own skates to the game as there will only be limited supply available to the public.
LAST TIME
Saturday, February 18, 2023
Phantoms 4 – Penguins 3 (SO)
Games don’t get much better than this. The Phantoms rallied from third period deficits of 2-0 and 3-2 to defeat the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins 4-3 in a shootout before a raucous and electric crowd on a Whiteout Night at PPL Center.
Alex Kile scored his first two goals of the season in his first game back with the Phantoms since December. Troy Grosenick picked up his first win since an injury in October and even stopped a penalty shot in overtime as well as all three Penguins in the shootout not to mention a few dazzling breakaway denials in the third and overtime. Egor Zamula blasted home his first of the year and Bobby Brink scored the winner in the first round of the shootout.
THE GOOSE IS LOOSE
It’s been a long road back into the lineup for 33-year-old veteran goaltender Troy Grosenick. After playing three games in October, Grosenick was sidelined with an injury and did not return to action for another three-and-a-half months. His February 14 start at Charlotte was his first game since October 29 and his Saturday win against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton was just third of the season and his first since Opening Weekend at PPL Center on Sunday, October 23 against Cleveland.
In the interim and while he was sidelined with his injury, Troy and his wife, Maggie, welcomed their third child, Molly Ann. Grosenick led the American Hockey League in Goals-Against Average last year (2.00) as well as save percentage (.933) and was named Second-Team AHL All-Star. His 149 wins from 2013-14 through 2021-22 is the most of any AHL goaltender over that nine-year span.
PHANTASTIC!
– The Phantoms are….
19-5-4 when scoring 3 or more goals
20-1-1 when allowing 2 goals or fewer
14-4-5 in one-goal games
13-2-5 when scoring the first goal
17-0-4 when leading after two periods
4-3 in overtime and 3-2 in shootouts
ABOUT THE WOLF PACK
It’s the first Allentown visitation for the AHL affiliate of the New York Rangers when Hartford (20-20-9) arrives for a Sunday evening clash. The Wolf Pack are in seventh place in the Atlantic Division just one point behind Bridgeport for the last playoff spot.
The Phantoms took a 5-2 win in Hartford last Friday, February 10 on a pair of goals by Max Willman. Turner Elson (11-15-26) arrived from Grand Rapids and longtime Bridgeport Sound Tiger Tanner Fritz (4-23-27) is in his second second with “the other” Connecticut team to lead the Pack offense.
2020 second-rounder Will Cuylle (15-8-23) scored a highlight-reel caliber goal against the Phantoms in December and is having a strong rookie campaign after he was teammates with Tyson Foerster and Elliot Desnoyers on the Canadian World Juniors Gold Medal team in August. Southpaw-style veteran netminder Louie Domingue receives the bulk of the starts (11-10-6, 2.62, .904).
Phantoms Scoring Leaders
x Olle Lycksell 9-25-34
Tyson Foerster 17-16-33
Elliot Desnoyers 17-13-30
Artem Anisimov 13-10-23
Ronnie Attard 8-14-22
Jackson Cates 10-10-20
Hartford Scoring Leaders
Tanner Fritz 4-23-27
Turner Elson 11-15-26
Will Cuylle 15-8-23
Ryan Carpenter 12-11-23
Jonny Brodzinski 7-15-22
Phantoms Tickets are available HERE
SPECIAL TEAMS
Lehigh Valley Power Play – 23.1%, 5th
Lehigh Valley Penalty Kill – 73.8%, 32nd
Hartford Power Play – 13.8%, 32nd
Hartford Penalty Kill – 81.0%, 15th
UP NEXT
The Phantoms hit the road for four straight beginning Wednesday night at the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. The stretch of away games continues through Hershey, Bridgeport and Syracuse before the Phantoms return to PPL Center on Saturday, March 4 against the Toronto Marlies.
Phantoms Tickets are available HERE
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
Sunday, February 19 (5:05) vs. HARTFORD WOLF PACK
Wednesday, February 22 (7:05) at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
Saturday, February 25 (7:00) at Hershey Bears
Sunday, February 26 (5:00) at Bridgeport Islanders
UPCOMING PROMOTIONS
Sunday, February 19 (5:05) vs. Hartford Wolf Pack – meLVin’s Birthday with his Mascot Friends! Postgame Skate with the Phantoms Players
Saturday, March 4 (7:05) vs. Toronto Marlies – Slap Shot Night with Dave Hanson!
Sunday, March 5 (7:05) vs. Providence Bruins – Team Poster Giveaway and Postgame Autographs
Saturday, March 11 (7:05) vs. Belleville Senators – Hockey Fiesta Weekend
Sunday, March 12 (4:05) vs. Utica Comets – meLVin Youth Jersey Day (first 2,000 kids age 4 and younger) and Hockey Fiesta Weekend
Broadcast coverage of all Phantoms games with Bob Rotruck is available on the Phantoms 365 app and on Real Oldies 1470-AM in Allentown. Also available on the Listen Live button at phantomshockey.com
Fans can also watch the games on AHLTV.com or can listen on their Smart Speakers at: “Play Phantoms Radio 24/7.”
Service Electric Network again provides exclusive television coverage of all Phantoms home games with veteran announcer Steve Degler and Phantoms’ alum Steven Swavely on the call from the booth. Kristi Fulkerson reports from ice level and also from the Chickie’s and Pete’s studio with Dan Fremuth for pregame, intermission and postgame show analysis.
The post PREVIEW: Phantoms vs. Wolf Pack, Game #50 appeared first on Lehigh Valley Phantoms.