Future Flyers Report: Laughton delivers in OT, Morin update

The Lehigh Valley Phantoms second home game ended with another win, this time in come-from-behind fashion. Over the weekend, the Phantoms took the show on the road.

 

On Saturday, the Phantoms scored a 5-4 win over the Binghamton Senators with Scott Laughton playing hero.

 

The Phantoms jumped out to a 4-2 lead in the second on goals by Nick Cousins, Robert Hagg, Andrew Gordon and Austin Fyten. But Binghamton fought back for two goals, both by Derek Grant, in the final minute of the third to force overtime. Grant's two goals were separated by nine seconds.

 

At 5:40 of overtime, playing at 3-on-3, Laughton darted in on the wing and fired a shot past Andrew Hammond for the game-winner. It was Laughton's fifth goal of the season.

 

Rob Zepp picked up his fourth win of the season, making 36 saves.

 

The Phantoms were shut out in their game on Sunday in Hershey. The Bears beat Anthony Stolarz twice and added an empty-net goal to seal a 3-0 win over the Phantoms. Stolarz made 27 saves in the loss.

 

The Reading Royals finally opened at home on Saturday and did so in convincing fashion, taking a 5-1 victory over the Elmira Jackels. 

 

Reading would take a 1-0 lead on a goal by long-time Royals forward Olivier Labelle. The goal was his 72nd with the Royals, a franchise record.

 

The Royals opened up a 4-0 lead with three second-period goals from Cam Reid, Brock Higgs and Pat Mullane. Zach Davies capped the scoring for the Royals five minutes into the third.

 

Connor Knapp earned his first win with the Royals, making 29 saves in the victory.

 

The Royals did go on to lose on Sunday to Elmira, 3-1, with Mike Marcou getting the only goal at 12:42 of the third. Martin Ouellette took the loss in goal, stopping 27 shots.

 

In the wake of Shayne Gostisbehere's call-up to the NHL, the Phantoms had to make a move. Royals defenseman Brett Flemming was moved to the AHL as a result. Flemming had three goals and one assist in his first three games of the ECHL season. Derek Mathers was also assigned to Lehigh Valley after being taken off the injury list.

 

Flyers defensive prospect Sam Morin was in the press box for Saturday's Flyers game against the Red Wings. Currently, Morin is recovering for a fractured jaw that has him out for four-to-five weeks.

 

Morin said he is currently on a liquid diet, which has helped him lost 10 pounds, but feeling well otherwise. His coach at Rimouski has yet to name a captain. It was assumed that Morin would be the captain but his injury may be delaying the announcement.

 

Morin also said he and fellow Flyers prospect Travis Sanheim hope to play for Canada's World Junior team later this season.