Phantoms Post-Game EXTRA! 2019-20 Season: Lehigh Valley - 5 at W-B/Scranton - 3 (2/08/20)

WILKES-BARRE, Pa. - The Lehigh Valley Phantoms made it three wins in a row and back-to-back wins on the weekend in a 5-3 decision over the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins Saturday night in Wilkes-Barre. The road win marked their second of the month, the first time they've won more than one road contest in a month all season.

Maksim Sushko led the way offensively with two goals, while Kyle Criscuolo (one goal, one assist) and Tyler Wotherspoon (two assists) also chipped in with multi-point games. In his AHL debut in net, Kirill Ustimenko stopped 38 of the 41 shots that came his way to pick up his first AHL win.

Saturday night's game story -> http://insideahlhockey.com/article/game-story-2019-20-season-lehigh-valley-at-w-bscranton-20820

Post-Game Reaction

Head coach Scott Gordon

On liking what he's seeing this weekend on the whole

Yeah, slow start - we got the first goal - but they obviously had control of play the first probably 10 minutes. But after that, a lot of good things.

On getting contributions up and down the lineup

It's that time of year, you can't count on one line. Especially with all the roster changes we go through to be able to get consistency from everybody is important for success. It's just been nice to see pucks go in the net.

It's a little bit tougher with the special teams, so there's no managing ice time in that situation unfortunately. But you know what, Hershey is playing a 3-in-3 so we just have to try to find a way to get some energy tomorrow and put our best foot forward.

On Ustimenko, his big save on a breakaway in 2nd period

He was solid. I didn't even think he was shaky, I thought he had good reactions and was tracking the puck well. Happy for him, he's a great kid.

That was a huge save. Up to that point we had really controlled the play. You talk about timely saves, being up 3-1 is a lot different than 3-2. To go back the other way and score can be a big momentum shift.

Kyle Criscuolo

On what the difference has been this weekend

I think we're just trying to get to the net more. I think the past couple weeks we had been playing on the perimeter. We've been harping on getting pucks to the net and bodies to the net. It backs the D off a bit and allows us to make more plays.

On seeing guys contributing up and down the lineup really building confidence

Absolutely. When you have the defense contributing and guys on every single line scoring goals it's really important to have that down the stretch here.

On his line with Carey and Sushko this weekend, and personally getting into a groove offensively.

I think we talk a lot on the bench, and that has helped us out quite a bit. Sticking together for a couple games in a row definitely helps. We have a lot of games this month, and I think the more games we play it helps me find my game, get in a groove.

On the big two points, trying to climb back into playoff picture

I know a couple guys were talking about tonight being a four point game. We steal points from them and get two for ourselves. It's definitely a huge game, and tomorrow will be more of the same.

Maksim Sushko

On what's been working well for him, his line with Carey & Criscuolo

I'm still growing and adapting in this league. I think in the second part of the year I know what coach wants from me, plus I'm playing with the best guys on the team so that's helped for sure. Our lines are changing often but we know where we have to go. When you have a fast guy like #51 we know we can dump in and be first on the puck

On what the difference has been for the team during this little three-game win streak

We're starting the games the right way, and it's all coming from that. We you have a slow start, it's hard to get playing. It's always better when you are leading the games than trying to score to get back even with those guys.