Fans on their feet for the shootout win & we get another team salute to the crowd @PPLCenter! #thereisnoplacelikehome pic.twitter.com/9vRvGgqZYP
— LehighValleyPhantoms (@LVPhantoms) November 20, 2014
NHL:
In the midst of the Claude Giroux injury saga, the Flyers sent Blair Jones back to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms in favor of top prospect Scott Laughton.
The 2012 1st round selection debuted in 2013, scoring no points in 5 games. In his first two games this season he has generated quite a few chances and won the majority of his face-offs, but has yet to net his first career goal or point for that matter.
Keep an eye on him in these next couple games as he tries to prove his worth to the big club.
AHL:
Scott Laughton’s departure shook up the top line of the Phantoms a bit, as Blair Jones slotted in on the 1st unit as they took to the ice against the Hershey Bears on Wednesday night.
The top line continued right where it left off, as Andrew Gordon scored just over 3 minutes into the game with Blair Jones and Robert Hagg picking up assists. The Phantoms tacked on another goal just over 3 minutes later as Nick Cousins set up Brandon Manning for his 4th of the year.
The Bears scored once in the 2nd and then early in the 3rd as the Phantoms couldn’t find the back of the net, and the game couldn’t be decided in just 60 minutes. Overtime wouldn’t result in a goal, so we had a good old fashioned AHL shootout.
Rob Zepp stopped all 3 shootout attempts he faced, as well as 27 of the 29 shots he faced in 67 minutes of game time. Andrew Gordon was stopped on his attempt, but Blair Jones won the game (after Zepp stopped an attempt) for his new-old team in the shootout.
The Phantoms were back on the ice last night as they hosted the Worcester Sharks. Anthony Stolarz was between the pipes for this one, and ended up stopping all 36 shots he faced to not only earn his first AHL shutout, but his first AHL win as well.
Four different Phantoms netted a goal in the 4-0 victory, including Brandon Manning and Andrew Gordon again, each picking up their 5th on the season. Blair Jones is back with a vengeance after sitting in the press box in Philly, winning the game on Wednesday then picking up 2 assists tonight, including one on a Robert Hagg shorthanded goal. Stolarz picked up the 1st start, with Jones and Hagg receiving the honors for the 2nd and 3rd stars respectively in front of a sold out PPL Center.
The Phantoms continue their home stand tonight against the St. John’s Ice Caps.
ECHL:
The Reading Royals were also in action last night, taking on the 8-3-0-3Jackals in Elmira. After a scoreless 1st period, each team scored in the 2nd as Elmira took advantage of a Royals missed opportunity and put one in the back of the other net just under 2 minutes into the period.
The Royals fought back and scored 5 minutes later, tying the game up at 1.
The 3rd period once again opened with an Elmira goal, just under 5 minutes into the period. However, the Royals came back yet again as they took advantage of a power play (1 for 8 on the night) to tie the game up halfway through the 3rd.
Regulation wasn’t enough for this one, but the overtime period ended up just like the 2nd and 3rd, with Elmira scoring early on, just under 2 minutes in. The Royals fought hard all game but just couldn’t get the win in this one.
The Royals will be home tonight and tomorrow against the Indianapolis Fuel. Get out there and support some great minor league hockey!
Ryan Gilbert is a contributing writer for Flyerdelphia, follow him on Twitter @RiskyBryzness.
