LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa – Down the stretch run of the season, points against divisional foes you’re fighting for playoff spots are crucial to get. Often times in those situations, your best players will lead the way and earn your team a hard fought victory. Despite
having their top guys step up on Friday night, it would be the Portland Pirates and All-Star net minder Mike McKenna leaving Allentown with a 3-1 win. McKenna had his work cut out for him though, seeing 46 shots on the night and turning aside 45 of them. The effort proved why McKenna was named an AHL All-Star this year and improved his record to 22-10-1-1.
The Phantoms would get on top of the Pirates early in this one, registering the first 7 shots on goal in the game. They would press Portland and out shoot them 13 to 7 in the opening frame, but go into the locker room trailing 1-0 after the First. The lone goal of the period came at the 7:57 mark, as a board battle between Phantom forward Cole Bardreau and Pirate forward Rocco Grimaldi behind the net would see the puck squirt right out in front of the blue paint. Jason LaBarbera would try to poke check it ahead to his defense, but it would end up right on the stick of Kyle Rau who would pot his 16th goal of the year.
The Phantoms would again out shoot Portland in the second, this time by a 21 to 5 margin, but be able to come away with something to show for it with a Power Play goal from Chris Conner at the 8:53 mark. Andrew MacDonald extended his point streak to 9 games, finding Taylor Leier at the top of the near side circle, who then sent a shot pass through traffic right to the stick of Conner, who redirected it in to make it 1-1. With momentum seemingly on their side, the Phantoms continued to bombard the Pirates net
minder with shots, but time and time again McKenna stood tall in his crease. Lehigh Valley would get a chance to take the lead at the 15:18 mark, as Grimaldi went off for interference and gave the Phantoms their third Power Play of the night. With nothing doing on the man advantage, Portland was able to kill it off easily. Just 22 seconds after the penalty expired however, it would be that same Rocco Grimaldi who would give Portland the lead back for good. An odd man rush for the Pirates was finished off as Wayne Simpsons shot rebounded off LaBarberas left pad right to Grimaldi who snapped it into the twine for the 2-1 lead. Again the Phantoms would go into the room down one after controlling much of the period themselves.
The third was much of the same as the first two periods had to offer, with Lehigh Valley again out shooting Portland, only this time it was just a 12 to 10 margin. The Phantoms penalty kill would keep them with in a goal early, as Sam Morin got the gate for a hook just 32 seconds in. The pace picked up from there, and again it would be McKenna as the difference as the Phantoms just could not solve him. Two more Power Play opportunities in the period would give Lehigh Valley their best chances to tie the game, including one with just 43 seconds left in the game. Wade Megan would take a shot at the Phantoms empty net in the final minute of the third, but he put so much behind his
attempt, that it went into the safety netting at the other end. The huge chance would be for not, though, as McKenna would take matters into his own hands, with a fluttering outlet pass up to Greg McKegg who just skated a tapped the puck into the empty cage to ice the game.
McKenna would get First Star honors on Friday night, with his 45 saves and adding two assists it was well deserved. Both Chris Conner and Andrew MacDonald were focused on one thing in the post-game locker room, and that’s moving on to tomorrow night. While they both said the team should not change much from Friday nights effort, it was a hard two points to lose at this time of the season. Especially when it’s against a team you’re trailing in the standings. Lehigh Valley does get right back to it tonight against the Vancouver Canucks AHL affiliate and last years’ Western Conference Champions the Utica Comets in another must win game for the Phantoms.
All images by Steve.Rusyn@prohockeynews.com
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