The Friday Focus 3/30/18
ALLENTOWN - The Lehigh Valley Phantoms (42-17-9) remain atop the Atlantic Division standings with eight games left on their 2017-18 regular season schedule, and have their sights set on locking up the number one seed in the division for the 2018 Calder Cup Playoffs - having already clinched a postseason berth in last Friday's overtime loss in Providence.
With eight games left, here's a new 'Friday Focus' to get you ready for another weekend of Phantoms hockey and Inside AHL Hockey's continued coverage.
Danick Martel named Lehigh Valley Phantoms' AHL Man of the Year, finalist for Yanick Dupre Memorial Award
The American Hockey League (AHL) announced the individual team winners of the AHL Man of the Year Thursday, with all 30 team nominees as finalists for the annual Yanick Dupre Memorial Award given to the player making a difference off the ice in the community.
To no surprise, the Phantoms' nominee for the second straight season is forward Danick Martel - a guy very involved off the ice at the team's player appearances in local schools and children's hospitals as well with the Phantoms Youth hockey program in the Lehigh Valley.
Martel might have missed time on the ice with his broken jaw, but he has certainly remained involved in off-ice contributions in the community.
Head coach Scott Gordon gets contract extension
Gordon received a contract extension with the Phantoms (124-75-21 in better part of three seasons) which came at a bit of a surprise, and not because the contract was undeserving but rather the opposite.
While it's possible his new contract has an out-clause of some kind if an NHL head coaching vacancy is later revealed, it seems to speak volumes about how much Gordon likes where he is at right now in the AHL with the Philadelphia Flyers' top minor league affiliate.
Goalie Shuffle
The goalie shuffle continues in the Flyers organization, and here's the latest on all the goalie moves...
On Wednesday, goaltender Alex Lyon was reassigned to Lehigh Valley from Philadelphia as the Flyers activated Michal Neuvirth. In Neuvirth's first game action, he re-injured himself and it appears that Lyon will stay with the Flyers for the time being - he remained with the team on their road trip in Colorado.
In the AHL, the Phantoms reassigned goaltender John Muse to their ECHL affiliate Reading Royals after Anthony Stolarz joined Lehigh Valley following a quick rehab stint in Reading last week. Muse pitched a shutout in his return to the ECHL the other night, further proving that he's simply an AHL goaltender on the wrong end of a numbers game.
Meanwhile, Dustin Tokarski looks to shoulder the load in net and is likely getting the start in the team's next game on Friday versus Providence.
Phantoms' Playoff Picture
Entering the weekend, the Phantoms will have eight games left on their regular season schedule. They are currently the only team in the Atlantic Division that has clinched a playoff spot, but they have much more on their minds than just a ticket to the dance.
Lehigh Valley leads the Atlantic Division by seven points over second place Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, and eight points ahead of third place Providence - though both the Penguins and Bruins have one fewer game played than the Phantoms.
Lehigh Valley, 8 games remaining, 42-17-9, 93 points = .684 PCT (ROW = 40) W-B/Scranton, 9 games remaining, 39-20-8, 86 points = .642 PCT (ROW = 35) Providence, 9 games remaining, 40-22-5, 85 points = .634 PCT (ROW = 34) Charlotte, 8 games remaining, 39-26-3, 81 points = .596 PCT (ROW = 39) Bridgeport, 9 games remaining, 33-26-8, 74 points = .552 PCT(ROW = 30)
Incoming ATO's
As the NCAA season approaches the Frozen Four and junior hockey leagues across Canada are in the postseason, many NHL-drafted and entry-level prospects are set to turn pro.
While those in the NCAA cannot join the American Hockey League (AHL) ranks if they wish to return to play college hockey next fall, those leaving early can turn pro as soon as their team's respective season ends.
For prospects in the CHL, they can join AHL teams on amateur tryout contracts (ATO) at the conclusion of their season in junior hockey and still be eligible to play in juniors in 2018-19 if they meet the age requirements. ATO's are also done to prevent those signed to entry-level contracts from burning a year of their deal in what is a limited regular season/postseason run at the pro level.
The Phantoms added their first incoming rookie earlier this week when they announced the addition of 6-foot-6 defenseman David Drake who recently finished his senior season at the University of Connecticut.
The next in line? How about Kelowna Rockets forward - and Flyers round pick in draft - Carsen Twarynski who was eliminated in the WHL Playoffs Thursday night.
Below is a look at some other notable Flyers prospects in the CHL eligible to join Lehigh Valley on ATO's when their respective seasons end.
OHL
Forward Isaac Ratcliffe, Guelph Storm - series tied 2-2 with Kitchener Forward Matthew Strome, Hamilton Bulldogs - 3-1 series lead over Ottawa 67's Forward Connor Bunnaman, Kitchener Rangers - series tied 2-2 with Guelph Forward Anthony Salinitiri, Sarnia Sting - series tied 2-2 with Windsor (though currently sidelined with injury) Forward Maxim Sushko, Owen Sound Attack - first round sweep of London (though currently sidelined) Forward Morgan Frost, Sault Ste Marie Greyhounds - First Round Sweep of Saginaw
QMJHL
Forward German Rubtsov, Chicoutimi - series tied 2-2 with Acadie-Bathurst Forward Pascal Laberge, Quebec - 2-1 series lead over Charlottetown
WHL
Forward Carsen Twarynski, Kelowna - Swept in First Round by Tri-City
Upcoming Milestones
If you include his five 2017 Calder Cup Playoffs games from last spring, Greg Carey played in his 250th AHL contest Saturday in Providence. If not, he'll reach the 250-game plateau Saturday, April 7th in Hartford so long as he appears in the next five games.
Staying with Carey, his 28 goals on the season lead the team and match his goal total from last season with the Phantoms. Will he hit the 30-mark this season? The Phantoms have eight games left on the season.
Danick Martel will move into first place in the Lehigh Valley Phantoms' all-time games played category with his next appearance, which will be his 193rd in a Phantoms' uniform excluding his five post-season games last spring. Forward Taylor Leier was previously the leader with 192 games, though goaltender Anthony Stolarz is the longest tenured Phantom in terms of time with the team (Stolarz has been a member of the Lehigh Valley Phantoms since their inaugural season in 2014-15).
On the Horizon
Inside AHL Hockey continues its live coverage of Phantoms hockey this weekend with a pair of games in downtown Allentown, Pa beginning Friday night against Providence and Saturday night against Belleville.
Look for an in-depth feature on Ohio State Buckeyes forward, and Flyers prospect, Tanner Laczynski this weekend. Last weekend, Laczynski and the Buckeyes won the Midwest Regional at PPL Center with 5-1 victories over Penn State and the defending champions Denver. Inside AHL Hockey covered the events and procured an exclusive interview with the Flyers' prospect.
