It's been a bit of a slow week for the Flyers' two minor league affiliates, as both teams combined for just one game played in the week. The real story came from the IIHF World Juniors Tournament, which saw three Flyers participate. Samuel Morin was the lone Flyers prospect to medal, as part of Canada's gold medal-winning squad.
Juniors
Morin was part of the Gold-winning Canadian squad that thrillingly beat Russia 5-4 on Monday night at Toronto's Air Canada Centre — their first gold medal since their run of five-consecutive victories from 2005 through 2009. Playing in all of Canada's seven games, he was held without a point, but finished with six penalty minutes and a plus-3 rating. Additionally, he became the first Flyers defensive prospect to earn gold at the tournament since Shayne Gostisbehere in 2013.
Additionally, Robert Hagg and Oskar Lindblom were part of the fourth-place Swedish team, and both played all of Tre Kronor's seven games. Hagg recorded two assists, two penalty minutes and a minus-3 rating, while Lindblom scored four goals and nine points — including a hat trick in a 5-1 rout of Switzerland on New Years Eve.
AHL
The Lehigh Valley Phantoms were idle all week, having last played last Saturday in Norfolk, Va., where they swept a two-game stand against the Norfolk Admirals. Nick Cousins provided the game-winner in the first overtime game — a 3-2 Phantoms win — while Jason Akeson's shootout tally sealed Game 2.
Rob Zepp had an unusual distinction of making 34 saves on 36 shots in both games.
The Phantoms head to Newfoundland this weekend, facing the St. John's IceCaps in two games. They'll be off again for much of the week until Friday, when they return to PPL Center to take on the Albany Devils.
Additionally, the Phantoms announced Monday that Maxim Lamarche was sent back to Reading. Brandon Manning will also be the team's lone representative at te AHL All-Star Classic, to be held Jan. 26 in Utica, N.Y. — home of the Comets, where ex-Flyer Robert Esche serves as team president.
ECHL
The Reading Royals beat the Wheeling Nailers 5-2 on Wednesday night, improving their record to 20-10-1-1 with 42 points — sufficient for third in the East Division. They face the Nailers again on Friday night, and play the Brampton Beast on Saturday and Sunday at Santander Arena.
The Royals also announced that Cam Reid was selected to represent the team at the CCM/ECHL All-Star Classic, to be held Jan. 21 in Orlando, Fla.
Rob Riches is a contributor to Flyerdelphia. Follow him on Twitter @Riches61.
