Phantoms Post-Game EXTRA! 2019-20 Season: Lehigh Valley - 2 at W-B/Scranton - 4 (12/27/19)
WILKES-BARRE, Pa. - The Lehigh Valley Phantoms road woes continued in a 4-2 loss to Atlantic Division rival Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins Friday night, despite Gerry Fitzgerald's game-opening goal 31 seconds into the contest getting the Phantoms off and running.
Penguins forward Anthony Angello tallied a hat trick, and Jake Lucchini scored a crucial shorthanded goal early in the third period in what proved to be the difference. Goaltender Dustin Tokarski was forced into action to begin the third period after starter Casey DeSmith suddenly fell ill, and the former Phantoms' goalie stopped seven of eight third period Phantoms' shot to seal the victory for the Penguins.
Fitzgerald's third tally of the season gave the Phantoms an early 1-0 lead, but Lehigh Valley was unable to add to it despite getting the only two power plays in the opening period. Matthew Strome tallied a power play goal early in the third period, but by then a shorthanded tally moments earlier by Lucchini had tilted the game into the Penguins' favor.
Friday night's game story -> http://insideahlhockey.com/article/game-story-2019-20-season-lehigh-valley-at-w-bscranton-122719
Friday's Post-Game Reaction
Head coach Scott Gordon
On losing another close game:
We had some pretty good chances in the third period, costly goal at the end of the penalty that obviously gave them an opportunity to go ahead. Good effort, but just not having the ability to put the puck in the net right now."
On not allowing team to get too caught up in disappointment/frustration in first game of a 3-in-3 weekend:
Obviously it's disappointing, but I thought our guys competed hard tonight. Right now, it's real hard for us to score goals. We've got a lot of bodies - between injuries and call ups - that aren't in the lineup. It's not even close to the same team that we had. All we can ask of the guys is their best effort. They did that tonight and we ended up on the short end of the stick."
On the constant roster flux making lineup juggling difficult lately:
It's been non-stop here since basically the start of November. Once Joel went up, and then we had a revolving door of centers going up. With our injuries and their injuries we've been chasing it for awhile now.
Gerry Fitzgerald
Thoughts on Friday night's game:
I thought we had a good first period. The 2nd was a little sloppier but I thought we worked really hard. Obviously it's tough after a little bit of a break there but there's no excuses. I think when we just kept it simple, worked hard and played our game we were effective.
On opening the scoring in first minute of the game
Yeah obviously it's huge to get the first goal - in any game. Big first shift for me, and it was nice to get it.
On his goal being a product of the role he plays on the ice:
Yeah I'd say I'm an energy player, I like to get to the net and use my speed when I can to my advantage. I'm a smaller guy, so yeah...
On deflating shorthanded goal against, and not allowing Friday's loss snowball into ruining the weekend:
It's never good to give up a shorthanded goal, but we just have to keep going. Like I said, keep it simple try to manage the puck and play our game. We just gotta move on and put that in the past and look forward to next game. 3-in-3's aren't easy but just try not to think about and go play like it's any other game. And move our feet.
Matthew Strome
On being deflated allowing shorthanded goal early in 3rd period:
Yeah for sure. We're on the power play we have to create momentum, not lose it. We got one back, and had a couple chances just couldn't put it in the net. Sucks not to get the two points but we just have to bounce back tomorrow and be ready for [Saturday's] game.
On the bright side of beginning the 3-in-3 on the losing end:
That's the good thing about playing a 3-in-3, if you have an off night or don't get some bounces you get a chance to go the next day. That's what we're going to do - probably watch some video [Saturday morning] just learn from the mistakes we had and make sure it doesn't happen [Saturday night].
