Phantoms Post-Game EXTRA! 2019-20 Season: Charlotte - 2 at Lehigh Valley - 3
Lehigh Valley Phantoms
ALLENTOWN, Pa. -- The Lehigh Valley Phantoms (7-5-5) allowed Charlotte (6-6-2) back into the game after taking a 2-0 lead Wednesday night, but Gerry Fitzgerald broke the 2-2 tie in the final three minutes of the third to help the Phantoms snap a four-game winless streak with a 3-2 regulation win on KISS Night at the PPL Center.
Tonight's Game Story -> http://insideahlhockey.com/article/game-story-2019-20-season-charlotte-at-lehigh-valley-112019
Three Things
1. Laberge Returns to Lehigh Valley
After beginning the season in the ECHL with Reading, Pascal Laberge was called up prior to Wednesday night's game and made the most of his first opportunity back in the AHL when he opened the scoring tonight.
Besides the goal, Laberge was noticeable otherwise too. He was playing with speed and creating offensive chances, finishing the night with three shots on goal in his first AHL action since last spring.
2. Rubtsov Leaves Game, Forward Injuries Piling Up
Injuries to the reassigned Carsen Twarynski and Kyle Criscuolo saw the Phantoms begin Wednesday night's game with 11 forwards and seven defensemen. Isaac Ratcliffe also missed his fourth straight game with an undisclosed injury.
Now, German Rubtsov is the latest addition to the ever-growing injury list as the forward took a hit at the offensive zone blue line early in the second period. Rubtsov appeared to be favoring his shoulder leaving the ice after a shift early in the second period. He exited with the team's medical trainer and did not return. There was no update on his status after the game.
3. Another One-Goal Game
Through 18 games this season, the Phantoms have now played in 12 one-goal games which ties them for the most in the AHL with Rochester (7-2-3) and Hartford (7-0-5).
With the win tonight, the Phantoms improved to 4-3-5 on the season when playing in a one-goal game.
Post-Game Reaction
Head coach Scott Gordon
On some unusual suspects scoring tonight
Well we need everybody now with the amount of injuries we've had. It's not an option. Pascal was able to get a goal for us in his first game with us this year. Fitzgerald just went hard to the net and was rewarded. He's had some pretty good chances so it's good to see him get an opportunity to score.
On Alex Lyon, how 11F/7D lineup changed course of game
He was cramping up so we were a little concerned about that. Not that we gave up a lot of shots, but a lot of in-zone time.
