Phantoms Post-Game Portal 3/8/19
ALLENTOWN, PA -- The Lehigh Valley Phantoms (30-24-6) used a three-goal third period to pull ahead of Charlotte and held on in the third to escape the AHL's top team Charlotte (38-15-7) with a big win to keep realistic playoff hopes for the Philadelphia Flyers' AHL affiliate alive and well.
The win, combined with Providence's shootout win against Hershey, keeps the Phantoms within three points of the final playoff spot in the Atlantic Division. While the extra points being awarded to two teams the Phantoms are chasing hurts, getting two points and a big regulation win has Lehigh Valley within three points of third place now as Hershey and Providence each have 69 points.
The Phantoms enjoy a rare Saturday off before a rematch Sunday afternoon at 1:05 p.m. ET against these same Charlotte Checkers.
Friday night's game story -> http://insideahlhockey.com/article/gameday-game-60-charlotte-38-14-7-at-lehigh-valley-29-24-6-715-pm-et
POST-GAME REACTION
Head coach Kerry Huffman
On difference between 1st and 2nd
Yeah, we tweaked a few thigns and I think the guys just got their feet going and played with a little more pace. I think sometimes you can get so up for a game and what you want to do well and all of a sudden you're doing everything but getting your feet going and playing fast. You're thinking a lot but you're not doing that much. We just had our guys relax, take a breath and get back to doing what we were doing.
On Vecchione's big goals tonight
Vex has been good for us all year - through all the good times and the bad times - he's been real consistent. I knew at some point I knew he was going to score goals. He's got that ability to put the puck in the net and I think he's had a lot of games where he's had a lot opportunities and just didn't have the best puck luck in the world, but he got rewarded tonight. He earned it.
On needing one or two guys to step up in crucial moments
We're in the time of year where you might not need a lot of goals to win games. Just one or two guys that capitalize on opportunities and that can the be difference between winning and losing.
On Bardreau getting back in
I thought Cole did pretty well. I thought there were times - it's hard obviously to miss that much time and jump in and it's really hard to jump right in against a team like Charlotte. I thought there were some reads in the defensive zone that he might have been off a little bit but that's just from not playing. His energy level, compete level - we knew what we were going to get there. He got involved in the second period and got us going - and that was a real important thing for us.
On Lyon's play
Listen, there's good players on both sides and he's one of the most valuable players on the ice for sure. They know that, we know that. And he did the job [tonight].
