By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor 
The Phantoms were able to survive a strong start from the Providence Bruins in Game 1 on their way to a series-opening win. They were not so lucky the second time around on Saturday in Game 2.
A hot start set the Bruins off to a first-period lead. The Phantoms rallied back to tie the game going to the third before ultimately dropping Game 2, 5-3, at Providence, evening the series at one game apiece.
Providence outshot the Phantoms, 12-10, in the first period, but used an early surge in the period to produce two goals. Anton Blidh opened the scoring at 2:07. Peter Cehlarik made it 2-0 at 5:08. Providence carried the 2-0 lead into the first intermission.
The Phantoms struck for two quick goals to even the score in the second period. Mark Friedman scored on the power play at 9:46 to cut the lead to one. Just 1:11 later, Mike Vecchione tied the game. Despite being outshot 24-19 through two periods, the game was tied and the Phantoms were in position to still take Game 2.
Providence retook the lead 19 seconds into the third period, as Jordan Szwarz scored a shorthanded goal. The Bruins held the one-goal lead for almost 12 minutes before extending the lead to two with a power-play goal by Celarik, his second of the game.
The Phantoms cut the lead to one again as Greg Carey scored with 4:51 left in the third. The Phantoms pulled the goalie with three minutes left in regulation, searching for the equalizer, but they never got any closer. Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson scored into an empty net to ice the game.
Alex Lyon made 31 saves on 35 shots in the loss. Zane McIntyre stopped 23 of 26 shots.
Both teams went 1-for-3 on the power play.
The series now shifts to Allentown for the remainder of the best-of-five series. Game 3 will be next Friday at 7 p.m. from PPL Center. Game 4 will be on Saturday. If necessary, Game 5 would be on Monday, April 30, from PPL Center as well.
