Phantoms Post-Game EXTRA! 2019-20 Season: W-B/Scranton - 4 at Lehigh Valley - 3 (SO)

ALLENTOWN, Pennsylvania --  The Lehigh Valley Phantoms (3-1-4) overcame a 3-0 deficit to force overtime -- and a shootout -- against Atlantic Division rival Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (5-4-1) but were unable to complete the comeback, instead falling 4-3 in the shootout and extending their points streak to seven games.

Trailing 3-0 with under four minutes remaining in the second period, the Phantoms were able to score three-unanswered goals in the final 24 minutes of regulation to bring the game to overtime on goals from David Kase, Andy Andreoff and Greg Carey

After killing a penalty in overtime, the Penguins scored on their only two shootout opportunities by Stefan Noesen and Joseph Blandisi, respectively, to earn the victory.

Tonight's Game Story -> http://insideahlhockey.com/article/game-story-2019-20-season-w-bscranton-at-lehigh-valley-11119

Three Things

1. Third Period Phantoms

There is something about playing desperate hockey that really gets this Phantoms team going. For the fourth straight game, the Phantoms entered the third period trailing by at least a goal and for the fourth straight game, the team was able to either win outright in regulation or at least take the game to overtime.

It all started late in the second period when forward David Kase tipped the puck past Penguins goaltender Casey DeSmith via a deflection. This proved to be the turning point in the game as Lehigh Valley suddenly began to play with more jump.

The team’s top line of Andy Andreoff, Greg Carey and Morgan Frost was able to capitalize twice in the third, one on an Andreoff goal off a bad rebound allowed by DeSmith and the other off a beautiful deflection by Greg Carey.

2.The Point Streak

The Phantoms have now garnered a point in seven straight games, going 3-0-1-3 in that stretch.

Listen, the Phantoms missed the playoffs by two points last season. I know it’s early on in the season, but don’t underestimate how important these extra points they’re getting are.

The fact that they’ve garnered a point in every game besides their opener is huge, especially considering that they’ve come out flat for a period or two in each of the past four games. If the team ever finds consistency in the early part of the game, this stretch is gonna put them in a really good spot in the standings.

3. The Power Play Falters Again

Along with their inconsistency early on in games, the other glaring problem Lehigh Valley has had through their first 10 games is with the man advantage. The Phantoms’ power play capitalized once on Friday night, marking the second goal in the team’s last 22 attempts.

The team’s final few power plays resulted in multiple scoring chances, but that has just not been the case most of the time over their last four games.

If you’re looking for a silver lining here, though, veterans T.J. Brennan and Greg Carey have started to put points on the board of late. Brennan recorded two assists on Friday night and has now tallied three points -- his first three of the season -- over his last three games. Carey has now tallied a goal in two straight games. If those two continue to build some momentum here, the team’s power play woes could come to an end sooner rather than later.

Post-Game Reaction

Head coach Scott Gordon

On third period comebacks

Circumstances. I think you have two choices. You're either going to pick up your play, or accept it. I think it's a good sign for any team when you can come from behind. The issue really is more about making sure you don't put yourself in that situation. To have the ability to do that is great, but I think getting down 3-0 in any game is a recipe for disaster. We just have to make sure we aren't beating ourselves. I thought we did on those three goals [against].

On the power play

Our power play is nowhere near where it needs to be. We've had power plays in overtime three times now and we haven't scored. That's an opportunity that we are letting slip. If you take care of business on that we're looking at a 6-1-1 record and that's pretty good. So, we've let those points slide. That's three points that we can't make up but the good thing is once we do get our power play going the game should get a little easier for us.