Lehigh Valley, PA – The Bears haunt the Phantoms. Hershey took the two previous meetings between the clubs. The first win was a 4-0 shutout win in Hershey, the second victory also in Chocolatetown a 4 – 3 overtime win back on November 1st. A sold-out PPL Center was disappointed as their Phantoms were shut out 2 – 0. The Phantoms continue to struggle against Clay Stevenson. Stevenson stopped all 24 shots he faced in this contest, he stopped all 32 back on October 28th in Hershey. Mike Vecchione had been ejected the last time these teams played, a hit-up high on Desnoyers sent him home early.
RECAP
There was only one goal in the period. The lone goal scored by the former Phantom kicked things off in this one. Mike Vecchione settled the puck and wristed it past Cahagen’s blocker side. Vecchione’s fifth goal of the season came at 10:04.
The Phantoms had just 6 shots in the first period and couldn’t get much offense going. Looking to change the tides a bit for his club, Ronnie Attard dropped the mitts. Attard dropped the gloves with Bears defenseman Dmitry Osipov just under two minutes into the second frame. Pierrick Dubé, a Phantoms killer netted his fifth of the season at the 10:07 mark of the second. Four of his Five goals this season have come against Lehigh Valley, this tally a spin around wrister five-hole.
No goals in the third period, but a strong frame from Clay Stevenson to cap off his shutout. Stevenson stopped all 11 shots he faced in the period, Lehigh Valley had the chances but he had the answers.
Both teams’ power plays had two chances, neither team converted on them.
Parker Cahagen faced 21 shots for Lehigh Valley, he saved 19 of them. Clay Stevenson said a shutout victor stopped all 24.
Lehigh Valley is currently sitting in 7th in the Atlantic Division, a record of (4 – 6 – 2) enough for 10 points in 12 games played. The Bears lead the Atlantic their record being (9 – 3 – 0), 18 points in 12 games played.
PPL Center | Lehigh Valley, PA
