The Phantoms Impressed, As Did Morgan Frost (Flyers)

Photo Credit: Samantha Wismer

With Phantoms pre-season in full swing, lets dissect the 2^nd game against the Wilkes-Barre Penguins. Earlier in the day, Felix Sandström was assigned back to Lehigh Valley, currently leaving three goalies on the Phantoms: Kirill Ustimenko, Samuel Ersson, and Felix Sandström. Players that were scratched were: Felix Sandstrom, Quinn Schmiemann, German Rubstov, Nick Master, Hayden Hodgson, and Charlie Gerard. There were fights, penalties called, and a whole lot of hockey played last night by these kids. 

1^st Period:

Choices had to be made and one made by Kasper Bjorkvist was getting in Isaac Ratcliffe’s way. Ratcliffe shoved him out of the way and tried to shoot but was sent behind the net. Jackson van de Leest had a penalty of hooking a little over 5 minutes into the first period. Adam Clendening received a penalty for crosschecking, which threw the Phantoms into a 5 on 3 penalty kill. Morgan Frost was the only forward on this penalty kill with Wyatte Wylie and Linus Hogberg on defense. Phantoms were fed back into a penalty kill at 8:47 due to Samu Tuomaala receiving a penalty for slashing. Phantoms earned a power play with 7 minutes left in the 1^st period. Morgan Frost, Tyson Foerster, Linus Sandin, Isaac Ratcliffe, and Adam Clendening were all involved in this power play. Maksim Sushko came out last night and rag-dolled Wilkes Barre Forward Jamie Devane. Sushko tallied up the 5^th penalty of the 1^st period for the Phantoms and Devane had a roughing minor. Isaac Ratcliffe was physically engaged during this 1^st period. The Phantoms were trailing the Pens 2-1 at the end of the 1^st. 

2^nd Period:

We go back to the Penalty kill for the FIFTH time at the opening of the 2^nd. Sam Houde from the Penguins cross checked into the back of Wyatte Wylie, there was no call. Wylie got back at Houde with a takedown and gave a penalty to Wylie for tripping. Morgan Frost was slashed on the wrists and Phantoms headed into a powerplay. Legare of Wilkes Barre, got one past Samuel Ersson and it put the Pens ahead 3-1. Brennan Saulnier had play stopped as he couldn’t get up. He kept reaching and grabbing the back of his one leg. Phantoms had the puck in possession for the power play but no goal made. Max Willman pushed a Wilkes Barre forward into the Phantoms bench. Phantoms are back with another Penalty Kill with a little over 6 minutes left in the 2^nd period. Morgan Frost came in with a short handed attempt to get past Wilkes Barre goalie Domingue. End of the 2^nd period, Pens held the lead at 3-2. Phantoms out shot the pens during the 2^nd 9-7.

3^rd Period: 

Max Willman took the puck away from a Wilkes Barre forward and slid into him resulting in a tripping call. Lehigh Valley is on yet another Penalty Kill of the night. Sushko has a soft cross check. Sam Ersson made a huge save and the Phantoms killed off another 5 on 3. Phantoms tie the game on yet another 5 on 3 during the night. Morgan Frost tied the game with an assist from Ratcliffe and Tuomaala. Bellerive of Wilkes Barre was given a penalty for tripping. This was a combined 17 penalties at this point of the game, with Gerry Mayhew coming in for number 18 for slashing. With the clock running out, Phantoms and Penguins head into overtime. In just the first 16 seconds of overtime, Morgan Frost nets a goal being assisted by Phantoms Sniper Tyson Foerster. Phantoms win 4-3. 

Penalties, 18 Power plays combined for both teams, Fighting, and a whole lot of hockey. Lehigh Valley Phantoms are certainly showing that they are not backing down and it should be a good season for these kids.