Phantoms Post-Game EXTRA! (2/11/22)

ALLENTOWN, Pa. - The Lehigh Valley Phantoms (16-17-8) got a gusty effort from a shorthanded squad in a big win over rival Hershey Friday night at PPL Center.

Friday night's game story -> https://insideahlhockey.com/article/game-story-hershey-3-at-lehigh-valley-6-21122

Three Things

1. Strome's Big First Period

The injuries and call ups have allowed players to step up into larger roles this season unlike any other year in a "typical" AHL season.

Matthew Strome is perhaps one of the biggest beneficiaries of the aforementioned opportunities, making the most of his increased ice time - tallying three points (one goal, two assists) in the opening period to help jump start the Phantoms' attack.

On his first shift of the night, he forced a misplayed puck in the corner by a Bears' defender and got to the loose puck behind the net before shuffling one to the side of the cage where Brennan Saulnier swooped in and scored to put the Phantoms ahead 1-0 just 1:21 into the contest.

"I think that's a big part of my game that I need to keep working on," Strome said of becoming a force on the forecheck. "If I can keep my feet moving, getting in deep on their D and just using my size, and then from there, my skill takes over and just make plays."

Strome also picked up the primary assist on the Phantoms' 2nd goal of the game, after a great keep in at the right point by Adam Clendening. Clendening later centered for Strome, who kicked it out to the left for Alex Kile for a forehand to backhand move at the net for Kile's third of the season.

Then, Strome tallied a goal of his own to restore the Phantoms' two-goal lead in the final minute before the first intermission - heading to the net on a 3-on-2 on a center drive and re-directing a great area pass from Linus Sandin into the back of the net.

"I think that late period goal by strong was big after they scored on the powerplay to get some momentum back for us," Wilson said of Strome's goal.

"Yeah, it was nice to finally score one off my stick & not off my leg this year. So yeah, that was a big relief," Strome joked when asked about his goal.

2. Another Character Win

For whatever reason, the Phantoms seem to bring their A-game when they have a less than optimal lineup. That sentiment continued to ring true Friday night as Lehigh Valley began the game one skater short before finishing the game with just 15 skaters.

"I know sometimes when we have a full lineup we get a little comfortable or I don't know what it is but yeah when we know we have to have gutsy effort it kind of helps us build some confidence," Wilson said, adding, "I don't know why that is but guys want to step up and be the difference and tonight it showed."

Despite being shorthanded all night, and down some key contributors in-game, the Phantoms managed to keep on trucking on their way to opening up a big lead that they were able to hold onto in the third.

"I want to start talking about the character in that room. It's amazing," Laperriere said. "Like I know it wasn't your question but I'll go right into that because I was impressed all night."

3. Short On The Bench

The story of the night quickly became who wasn't playing and who was unable to continue playing as Friday night's game played out.

"We started the game short and we finished the game even shorter, but just the character in that room," Laperriere said after the game.

The Phantoms began the contest one skater short of a full compliment of 18, with Morgan Frost unable to play (speculated non-COVID illness) and Ryan MacKinnon and Nick Lappin also out of action.

"I don't have any update for you, but hopefully we'll have good news," Laperriere told InsideAHLHockey.com after Friday's game when asked for an update on Frost's status moving along into the weekend. "I just don't. I don't know what's going on. I'm no doctor."

While Lehigh Valley began the game with 10 forwards and seven defensemen, Cam York was injured late in the first period and was unable to return and Linus Sandin exited in the middle frame - leaving the Phantoms with just 15 skaters (nine forwards, six defensemen) to finish the contest in the third period.

"Yeah, it was a little sloppy towards the end, but down to three lines, we just had to grind it out and find a way to win," Strome said after the game.