Photo Courtesy of Steve Kuzma
Despite jumping out to a strong start, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms were unable to capitalize on momentum from Friday's first win of the season, as they fell 6-4 to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins on Saturday.
Petr Straka, Jay Rosehill and Tim Brent each scored just 5:06 in the first period, and the Phantoms took a 3-1 lead into the dressing room. Tom Kostopoulos scored on a power play 28 seconds into the second stanza, while Nicklas Andersen tied the game nearly four minutes later. Will O'Neill scored his second of the game at 7:26 of the period (his first coming in the first period), while Dominik Simon capped off the period's scoring at 18:15.
Nick Cousins scored his first goal of the season just 1:45 into the third period, but the Phantoms (1-2-0-0) were unable to provide any more offense from there. Kostopoulos added his second of the night at 12:01, which concluded the game's scoring.
The Phantoms played a reckless and undisciplined game all night, and their penalty kill suffered as a result — allowing four goals on seven opportunities. They were able to capitalize on one of three power plays (Brent's goal).
Jason LaBarbera returned from his brief backup stint with the Flyers, and made 25 saves on 31 shots. Matt Murray turned away 22 of 26 Phantoms shots.
Scott Gordon's club returns to the ice next Friday, heading up to Rhode Island to take on the Providence Bruins in the first game of a home-and-home.
NOTES: Cole Bardreau and Michael Parks each left the game to injury, and the Phantoms finished with nine forwards. … Robert Hagg left pregame warmups early, and did not play. He sat on the bench for the first two periods, but did not return for the third.
Rob Riches is a contributor to Flyerdelphia and Sports Talk Philly. Follow him on Twitter @Riches61
Additional reporting contributed by Brent Baldwin.
