LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa
LV Phantoms vs Providence Bruins
March 26, 2016
–Another sellout crowd at PPL Center, the 10th in a row and 21st of the year, saw their Phantoms end an eight game win-less streak with a 4 to 3 win over the Providence Bruins Friday night. The win came just two nights after Lehigh Valley suffered through an 8-0 thrashing from the Hershey Bears on their home ice. Chris Conner would be the difference in the game, scoring two goals and adding an assist to help lead the Phantoms to their first win in nearly a month.
The Phantoms would see their fortunes start changing early in the first period Friday night, as Providence goaltender Jeremy Smith would miss play the puck behind his own net, and get caught as his backhanded clear attempt would end up right on Conners tape. He would waste no time hitting the empty net to put Lehigh Valley up 1-0. A Tim Brent power play goal less than three minutes later would put the Phantoms up by two and seemingly have the Bruins on the run. However, a rebound from a Anton Blidh shot would lay in the crease next to Phantoms goalie Martin Oullette long enough for Bruins forward Colton Hargrove to pot it to cut the lead in half.
Tyrell Goulbourne would get called for unsportsmanlike conduct less than 30 seconds later, and all momentum seemed to be heading Providences way. Then, just another 30 seconds later, Phantoms defenseman Davis Drewiske would bury a shorthanded opportunity while falling down to not only reestablish the two goal lead, but end Smiths night in net for Providence. Smith surrendered 3 goals on just 8 shots in under 12 minutes of ice time. Zane McIntyre would come on in relief to finish the period and the rest of the game. The Bruins would add another goal before the end of the frame, a tally from Justin Hickman to again cut the lead to one.
LV Phantoms vs Providence Bruins
March 26, 2016
The second period would see a goal with in its first four minutes like the first did, except with Providence benefiting this time. Brian Ferlin would get the marker on a wicked backhand in between the circles that would go top shelf over Oullettes glove to tie the game. Former Flyer Max Talbot would be credited with an assist on the goal. Then the game would melt down to a goalie duel for about 12 minutes before one of the most bizarre goals ever would be scored. A little before this goal would be scored, another crazy bounce almost put the Phantoms behind.
A point would hit off Christian Marti and go bouncing toward the Phantoms net. Oullette, expecting the puck to go to his right, was sliding that way before the deflection off his defender. The indirect tip on net caused Oullette to dive back and make a last second glove save to keep the puck from entering the net. At the other end, a Conner back hand attempt from behind the net would ramp up the back of the cage and go about 2 feet above the cross bar. Bruins defenceman Colin Miller would try to bat it to the corner, but miss, and the puck would end up hitting his goalie in the back and falling into the net.The crazy bounce would go the Phantoms way and put them ahead for good.
LV Phantoms vs Providence Bruins
March 26, 2016
The third saw each team come up with just 8 shots (Providence) and 7 shots(LV) each, and the goalies would stop all of them. Ultimately, the Phantoms would end up with a strong 33 save performance from Oullette to get them the W for the first time in what must have seemed like a long time. Their schedule does not get any easier to finish the weekend at home, as Saturday night the Hartford Wolf Pack enter downtown Allentown for the final time this season. The New York Rangers AHL affiliate is 12 points up on the Phantoms in the Atlantic Division and currently tied with the Portland Pirates for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. It will be a tough test for Lehigh Valley in one of their final home games of the season.
Photos by Steve.Rusyn@prohockeynews.com
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