Sparks Steals Game 2, Phantoms Return Home Down 2-0
The Lehigh Valley Phantoms haven't played their best hockey in the first two games of the Eastern Conference Finals, but they've ultimately found themselves in two one-goal hockey games that didn't end the way they had hoped - with that feeling resonating again after a 3-2 loss in overtime in Game Two on Sunday in Toronto.
Sunday saw the Phantoms score first and have a one-goal lead in the third period, though they were largely outplayed in the first period and began to even the play as the game continued. The Marlies have just been able to persevere, and find a way to win.
Twice in overtime, the Phantoms had great chances to score. One glanced off the crossbar and actually fooled the goal judge to turn on the red light. The other, a shot inside the left-wing circle was snared by an athletic glove save by Marlies goaltender Garret Sparks.
Mark Friedman and Mikhail Vorobyev tallied goals for the Phantoms in the loss, which sees them return home for Game Three Wednesday in Allentown down 2-0 in the best-of-seven series. They'll find themselves with a tough hill to climb to get even with, and get past Toronto to get back to the Calder Cup Finals for the first time since 2005.
Lehigh Valley's Lines (Starters in Bold/Italics)
Oskar Lindblom - Phil Varone - Chris Conner Greg Carey - Mike Vecchione - Nicolas Aube-Kubel Cole Bardeau - Mikhail Vorobyev - Danick Martel Tyrell Goulbourne - Corban Knight - Colin McDonald
T.J. Brennan - Mark Friedman Travis Sanheim - Phil Myers Reece Willcox - Max Lamarche
Alex Lyon - Dustin Tokarski
GAME RECAP
Similar to Saturday's Game 1, the Marlies had the better of play in the first period - out shooting the Phantoms by a 20-9 margin with the benefit of three power plays in the opening 20 minutes.
Toronto was winning most of the face-offs, causing Lehigh Valley to be chasing the play and struggling in the puck-possession department. More times than not, when the Phantoms were able to gain possession in their own end it was to chip pucks high off the glass and out to the neutral zone.
Despite all of that, the Phantoms were able to take a 1-0 lead when Mark Friedman finished off an odd-man rush in transition - joining the rush on the right wing and collecting a pass from the left from Danick Martel before firing one past Marlies' goaltender Garret Sparks. Credit Nicolas Aube-Kubel on the play for a textbook center drive that opened up Friedman in the right-wing circle.
The Phantoms' lead was short lived, however, as Travis Sanheim was whistled for a goalie interference minor and the Marlies capitalized on the ensuing man advantage. Trevor Moore redirected a Calle Rosen shot past Alex Lyon 20 seconds into the power play to tie the game up at 1-1.
That's where the game would remain heading into the third period.
Toronto had controlled large portions of play in the first and second periods, but some strong goaltending from Lyon and Sparks had the game tied at 1-1 through 40 minutes.
Lehigh Valley had a better go of it in the middle frame in terms of getting some offensive chances - including their first power play of the game 11:28 into the middle period.
Still, the two teams found themselves in a tied game heading into the third period.
The Phantoms took the lead on a bit of a strange sequence for Mikhail Vorobyev, who looked out of the play completely as he lost an edge in the corner and collided with the referee. Vorobyev got up, and headed for the slot as Danick Martel fought for a loose puck in the bottom of the right-wing circle. The Marlies' goaltender poke checked the puck off of Martel, but it went right up the middle to Vorobyev who quickly fired it in to give the Phantoms a 2-1 lead.
Again, the Phantoms' lead was short lived. This time, Toronto tied it back up on the next shift. Carl Grundstrom wristed one past Lyon on an odd man rush 23 seconds after Vorobyev's goal had given the Phantoms the lead.
The Phantoms, temporarily, looked to win the hockey game 1:17 into overtime. Mike Vecchione got a loose puck in the slot, and his shot glanced off the crossbar. It appeared the puck went into the net as a Marlies defender's stick hit inside the top shelf of the net almost simultaneously with Vecchione's shot - making it appear the puck hit the top shelf and popped out. The goal light came on, but the referee waved almost immediately it was not a goal. After a lengthy review, the obvious call was confirmed. It wasn't really that close.
Toward the middle of the overtime period, T.J. Brennan received a pass atop the left-wing circle and fired a shot that Sparks robbed with an athletic glove save.
Moments later, none other than Miro Aaltonen converted on a rebound attempt with 9:01 left in overtime to give the Marlies the 3-2 win and the 2-0 series lead heading to Wednesday's Game Three at PPL Center in downtown Allentown, Pa.
GAME SUMMARY
1st Period
5:19: LV - (PP) Carey, minor (hooking) 7:54: LV - Friedman (2) - Martel, Brennan 9:14: LV - (PP) Sanheim, minor (goaltender interference) 9:34: TOR - PPG Moore (4) - Rosen, Mueller 15:52: LV - (PP) McDonald, minor (goaltender interference)
2nd Period
4:55: LV - (PP) Carey, minor (hooking) 11:28: TOR - (PP) Brooks, minor (interference) 15:14: TOR - (PP) Grundstrom, minor (tripping) 17:37: LV - (PP) Myers, minor (tripping)
3rd Period
5:12: LV - Vorobyev (1) - unassisted 5:35: TOR - Grundstrom (5) - unassisted
Overtime #1
10:59: TOR - Aaltonen (4) - Johnsson, Rosen
BOXSCORE
Lehigh Valley 1 - 0 - 1 - 0 = 2 Toronto 1 - 0 - 1 - 1 = 3
Shots
Lehigh Valley 9 - 9 - 12 - 7 = 37 Toronto 20 - 10 - 11 - 6 = 47
Goalies
LV - Alex Lyon (44 saves - 47 shots) TOR - Garret Sparks (35 saves - 37 shots)
Power Play
LV: 0-for-2 TOR: 1-for-5
Penalty Kill
LV: 4-for-5 TOR: 2-for-2
Attendance: 7,657
