Phantoms Post-Game EXTRA -> Game 9: Lehigh Valley - 1 at Hershey - 3
HERSHEY, PA - The Lehigh Valley Phantoms came into Sunday's game 3-0-1 on a six-game road trip, looking to take advantage of a Hershey Bears team that was going to be playing their third game in as many nights.
It just didn't happen tonight for Lehigh Valley, who committed several turnovers with unwise puck decisions. In fact, it was the Bears with the early jump in all three periods - scoring early goals and getting strong goaltending from Vitek Vanecek (34 saves on 35 shots) to pin a 3-1 loss on the Phantoms Sunday at Giant Center.
Connor Bunnaman scored his first career AHL goal in the second period, bringing the Phantoms back within a goal at a 2-1 deficit but that's as close as the Phantoms would get. Alex Lyon stopped 31 of 34 in the loss, though he certainly played well enough to get a win.
Tonight's Gameday 'Live Blog' with full recap --> http://insideahlhockey.com/article/gameday-game-9-lehigh-valley-5-2-1-at-hershey-3-6-1-500-pm-et
Five Takeaways
1. Bunnaman Buzzing
After sitting as a healthy scratch in both of the Phantoms' games this week leading into Sunday's tilt in Hershey, Connor Bunnaman was very noticeable Sunday - and that was before he scored his first career pro goal.
"I talked to him the other day, just identifying areas that he had to be better in," Gordon recalled of a conversation he had with Bunnaman prior to Sunday's game. "All the new players - there's a lot of thinking going on. The time and space is a lot smaller, and you have to adapt to that. It comes with time, and he's no different than anyone else."
Bunnaman was a man on a mission Sunday in Hershey, clearly having an extra step having fresh legs and using it to his advantage. All the hard work paid off in the form of his first AHL goal in the second period when he was on the receiving end of a beautiful passing display that saw James de Haas send a cross-ice pass for Phil Varone, who sent it back across for Bunnaman atop the crease for an easy tap in.
"Just... finally," Bunnaman said of his first pro goal. "Of course it was a greasy goal. It's kind of what I always do, but it was good to get it out of the way."
2. Unlucky Lyon
Alex Lyon had to wait just over a week between starts, having last played five games ago in a 6-3 win in Wilkes-Barre on October 20th. He played well, stopping 31 of 34 shots in the game, but wasn't able to get many bounces to go his way save for the fact that a Jayson Megna breakaway in the second period hit the crossbar behind him and bounced out.
It seemed the Phantoms made it tough on Lyon, particularly having trouble connecting passes on the breakout to get out of their end and on the attack.
3. Turnovers
Simply put, the Phantoms didn't manage the puck well tonight.
"Our turnovers were horrific," Gordon said after the game.
Allowing an early goal in all three periods certainly didn't help matters, but the Phantoms had a hard time countering Hershey's punches because they were committing too many turnovers and weren't making good decisions with the puck.
4. Vorobyev's Return
Despite not playing in awhile since being a regular healthy scratch with Philadelphia, Mikhail Vorobyev looked sharp in his Phantoms' season debut Sunday in Hershey. While he didn't get on the score sheet Sunday, he was skating with purpose - keeping his head up, making defenders miss and threading the needle on some crisp passes that led to scoring chances.
"Misha hasn't played a lot of hockey in the last two weeks," Gordon said, adding he thought it played out as he thought it would with Vorobyev's first game back. "There isn't a lot of practice time and a not a lot of opportunity to handle the puck. He's a puck possession guy. I don't think it was his best game, not for a lack of effort but more timing and game looks."
5. Phantoms 'Tough Stretch'
Not to be understated, but the Phantoms finished up a tough stretch of their own following Sunday's game. It was their sixth game in 10 days, with the last five coming on the road. Their record in those six games? A respectable 3-2-1 good for 7 out of a possible 12 points in the standings.
Gordon wasn't pleased after Sunday's game, but took a look at the big picture after a disappointing effort from a mental standpoint.
"So, the way I look at it we've done a pretty good job here getting through this tough stretch and now we get an opportunity to get a week before our next game and kind of get back at it on Tuesday and get it going."
POST-GAME REACTION
Head coach Scott Gordon
On allowing early 1st period and 2nd period goals;
Obviously, that's probably one of our worst games all year. They did a good job considering they played 3 games in 3 nights and 4 in 5. I think a little bit of it was us finishing up 6 in 10 days. Mentally, we just weren't sharp. The decisions we made with the puck, that was our worst enemy.
On being disappointed with the offensive quality despite 35 shots:
We got some on the power play but I don't think we had too many open looks in the slot, I don't think we did a whole lot off the rush.
On Aube-Kubel's call up to Philadelphia:
Obviously excited for Nic. He's been waiting a long time for his opportunity. I thought his last two games he played really well and is very deserving.
On Goulbourne's call up to Philly:
With Tyrell, kind of a similar situation. Last year, the team was struggling and he got to go up and play and bring some energy. Hopefully both of those guys have their skating legs and can do that for the Flyers.
