LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa – Stop and tell me if you’ve heard this story before: The Phantoms’ had a fast start, striking just 2:22 in. It all started with a turnover at the St. John’s blueline. Nick Cousins picked up the puck and came in on a two on none. Cousins passed the puck to Andrew Gordon, who popped it past IceCaps’ netminder Connor Hellebuyck.
Roughly nine minutes later, St. John’s tied it on the power play. Brandon Kichton passed it to Will O’Neill wide open in the high slot. O’Neill blasted it to the far post and past Martin Ouellette. Shots in the period favored the home team 10-6. 
In the second period, there was no scoring, but plenty of end to end action. The best chance in the period came for St. John’s when Brandon McLean had a chance from the edge of the crease, but was denied by Ouellete. Both teams had chances with the man-advantage in the frame, but neither could convert. Shots in the period again favored the Phantoms, 9-7.
In the third, the game broke open. The Phantoms would take the lead when Kevin Goumas blasted a slap shot from the far circle past Hellebuyck at 3:25. Assists on the play went to Brandon Alderson and Petr Straka. A little over 4 minutes later, Lehigh Valley would stretch the lead to 3-1. Brandon Alderson took a shot from the far point, and Straka poked the rebound around the IceCaps goalie. Steven Delisle also got an assist on the goal.
St. John’s would close to within a goal at 8:41. With both Zack Stortini and Oliver Lauridsen in the penalty box, Will O’Neill poked a puck through a netmouth scrum and past Martin Ouellette. Assists went to Julien Brouillette and Scott Kosmachuk. Taylor Leier made it 4-2 at 11:08 when he took a Ryan White pass and buried it past Hellebuyck. The IceCaps made it 4-3 with just 58 seconds left when Carl Klingberg floated a soft wrister past Ouellete from the far circle. The only assist went to Will O’Neill, giving him a three-point night.
Notes: The Flyers recalled C Ryan White after the game, presumably to replace the soon to be suspended Zac Rinaldo, who faces a phone hearing for his hit on Pittsburgh’s Kris Letang last week. Officials: Referee was Gino Binda. Linesmen were Bill Lyons and Luke Murray. Phantoms F Kevin Goumas on his new found chemistry with Brandon Alderson and Petr Straka: “We have a lot of speed and they are two of the fastest guys on the team. 9 out of 10 times, if I get the puck wide to them, if they get a step on the D(efense), they’re likely to get around them. A lot of it is just getting in on the forecheck and creating turnovers.” On the biggest difference between the AHL and the ECHL: “Speed and physicality for sure. You only play three lines, and the penalty kill is a lot more passive. But definitely, the top two things are the speed and the level of physical play.” On momentum headed to the All-Star break: “We lost two straight and wanted to get the two points. Coming back and keeping the momentum will be key.” Shots finished with Lehigh Valley holding a 30-26 edge. 3 Stars: 3) STJ-Will O’Neill (2 goals and an assist) 2) LV-Petr Straka (Goal and an assist) 1) LV-Kevin Goumas (Goal and an assist) D Adam Comrie lead the Phantoms in shots with 6.
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