Photo Credit: Lehigh Valley Phantoms Facebook
Another weekend is in the books. It's time to take a trip around the minors in our Future Flyers Report.
NHL:
Shayne Gostisbehere was sent down by the Flyers on Saturday to make room for the return of Vincent Lecavalier. Gostisbehere had a solid stay with the big club, not making any spectacular plays or any glaring mistakes, just a good few games to get some NHL experience. You can bet your bottom dollar that he’ll be back in the NHL next year at the latest.
Brandon Manning remained with the Flyers for Saturday’s game but did not play too well. Manning played less than nine minutes and was only on the ice for one shot attempt for, opposed to 8 shot attempts against despite getting sheltered zone starts.
The Flyers signed veteran defenseman Carlo Colaiacovo to a favorable contract over the weekend, so that might mark the end of Manning’s stay with the Flyers as well.
AHL:
The Phantoms returned home on Saturday night to face off against the Hartford Wolf Pack. The Phantoms got off to a quick start with a goal just 28 seconds into the game by Kevin Goumas, assisted by Darroll Powe and Brandon Alderson. Unfortunately, it was all downhill from there as Lehigh Valley surrendered the next four goals before Nick Cousins got one back before the end of regulation.
It was another loss for Rob Zepp who stopped 27 of the 31 shots he faced as he fell to 4-1-1 on the year.
The Phantoms top line once again looked good with both Andrew Gordon and Scott Laughton getting five shots on goal. A bit of a down night for Robert Haag however as he was on the ice for three of Hartford’s four goals. The power play was once again scoreless in two opportunities, perhaps the return of Gostisbehere could help spark the Phantoms special teams.
The Phantoms have a busy week ahead of them as they travel to Worcester, Manchester and Portland to play the Sharks, Monarchs and Pirates on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Make sure you check back later in the week to see how the Phantoms fared in those contests.
ECHL:
The Wheeling Nailers got the revenge they were seeking on the Reading Royals with a 3-2 win in Wheeling on Saturday night.
The Royals started out very slowly, and it cost them. Reading didn’t register a shot on goal for the first fourteen minutes of the contest as Wheeling was able to put up two goals in that same timeframe. The Royals fought back with one in the 2nd period, but it was matched by the Nailers. Reading managed to cut the lead to one with just under two minutes to go in regulation, but couldn’t tie up the score with the goalie pulled and fell to Wheeling 3-2.
The Reading Royals will look to get back on track this weekend as they host the Fort Wayne Komets for a two-game set on Friday and Saturday.
Ryan Gilbert is a contributing writer for Flyerdelphia. Follow him on Twitter @RiskyBryzness.
