GAME 4: PHANTOMS @ BEARS
Trying to avoid elimination and take the series back to Allentown, Scott Gordon's Lehigh Valley Phantoms are in Chocolate Town on Saturday night to take on Troy Mann's Hershey Bears in Game 4 of their best-of-five playoff series. Game time is 7:00 p.m. EDT.
The game broadcast will be available on the radio on WAEB-AM 790, live audio streamed for free on the Phantoms' TuneIn.com site, on the Phantoms Radio 24/7 TuneIn station and video streamed ($9.99 single-game price) at AHL Live.
On Wednesday in Hershey, the Phantoms trailed 1-0 heading into the third period. In the opening minute, a fluky center ice goal by Colin McDonald knotted the score. The Phantoms went on to win, 2-1, in overtime as Chris Conner scored on the breakaway. Martin Ouellette earned the win in goal, stopping 29 of 30 shots. Stanislav Galiev scored on a second period three-on-one rush for the Bears. Phoenix Copley stopped 28 of 30 shots.
The Phantoms enjoyed a significant territorial advantage in Games 1 and 2, but came away with 1-0 overtime and 5-4 regulation losses despite Hershey playing with a lead for just 33 seconds out of 127 minutes. Game 3 was evenly played.
Lehigh Valley is 7-for-7 on the penalty kill through three games. The power play has gone 2-for-8 but the Phantoms did not receive a single power play opportunity last game.
On Thursday, the Phantoms recalled goaltender Mark Dekanich from the Reading Royals. He will back up Ouellette for the duration of the series.
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CARLSON HOCKEY GAMES: FIVE FLYERS IN ACTION
The Carlson Hockey Games preparation tournament for the 2017 IIHF World Championships continue on Saturday with a pair of games in Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic. Five players from the Philadelphia Flyers will be in action for their respective national teams.
In the earlier game, Ivan Provorov and Roman Lyubimov will suit up for Team Russia against Valtteri Filppula and Team Finland. The later game will see Jakub Voracek, Radko Gudas and the rest of the host Team Czech Republic take on Team Sweden.
On Thursday, Voracek had an assist in the Czechs' 3-2 comeback win against Finland. Sweden also had a comeback win, defeating Russia in overtime, 4-3.
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QUICK HITS: APRIL 29, 2017
1) Flyers forward Brayden Schenn has been added to Team Canada's roster for the 2017 IIHF World Championships. He joins teammates Claude Giroux, Wayne Simmonds, Sean Couturier and Travis Konecny. Ron Hextall serves as Team Canada's general manager while Dave Hakstol is an assistant coach.
2) The seventh and deciding game of the Swedish Hockey League finals between Brynà¤s IF Gà¤vle and HV71 Jönköping takes place on Saturday in Jönköping. On Thursday, Brynà¤s trailed 4-0 midway through the third period, got the game back to 4-3 but ultimately yielded an empty net goal in a 5-3 loss. Flyers goalie prospect Felix Sandström got the start in goal but was pulled midway through the first period after yielding two goals on five shots. Flyers left wing prospect Oskar Lindblom had five shots on goal, tipped a pair of pucks just wide of the net, set up a pair of prime scoring chances for teammates, was credited with two hits and yet was held off the score sheet for the fifth straight game.
3) In Game 5 of the Western Hockey League semifinals, the Seattle Thunderbirds took a three games to two lead over the Kelowna Rockets with a 5-3 home win on Friday. Flyers forward prospect Carsen Twarynski did not get on scoresheet for the Rockets. Game 6 is on Sunday in Kelowna.
4) In Game 5 of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League semifinals, the Saint John Sea Dogs took a three games to two lead over the Chicoutimi Sagueneens in their Quebec Major Junior Hockey League semifinal series with a 4-0 home win on Friday. Flyers center prospect Samuel Dove McFalls chipped in a pair of even strength assists, went 4-for-7 on faceoffs and was credited with one hit for the Sea Dogs. Game 6 is on Sunday in Chicoutimi. Flyers 2016 first-round pick German Rubtsov (hand surgery) is out for the playoffs for the Sagueneens.