PHANTOMS STRAFED IN GAME 2
Entering Game 2 of their second round series with the Charlotte Checkers, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms had an opportunity to take a commanding two games to zero lead before the series shifted to Charlotte for the next three games. Instead, the Phantoms were on the receiving end of a 6-0 blowout on Saturday night.
Now the Phantoms face the daunting task of needing to win two of three games in Charlotte to bring the series back to Allentown with the upper hand, or else winning all three upcoming games in one of the AHL's toughest road buildings to win the series without a return trip to the PPL Center.
In Saturday night's oft-feisty match, the Checkers posted two goals per period, playing from ahead for 53:56 of the game's 60 minutes. Janne Kuokkanen scored two power play goals for Charlotte, while Lucas Wallmark, Philip Samuelsson, Valentin Zykov (power play) and Julen Gauthier (power power) tallied once apiece as the Checkers broke out of a postseason power play slump by going 4-for-8. The Phantoms were 0-for-6 on the power play.
Alex Nedeljkovic recorded a 26-save shutout for the Checkers. Dustin Tokarski, getting the start one night after Alex Lyon played brilliantly in Game 1, stopped just 17 of 23 shots in a losing cause.
The Phantoms announced that their top defenseman, Travis Sanheim, would be out at least for the rest of the series. Late in Game 1, Sanheim was injured by a knee-to-knee check from Zykov. Sanheim had to be helped off the ice, and the Phantoms cashed in on an ensuing power play to win the game. The Phantoms welcomed defenseman Samuel Morin back to the lineup in Game 2 for the first time since he reaggravated a nagging lower-body injury on January 20.
Game 3 is at Charlotte's Bojangles Coliseum on Tuesday. Game 4 is on Wednesday. Game 5 is on Saturday. If necessary, Game 6 will be in Allentown on May 14. Game 7 would be the next night at the PPL Center.
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CHL PLAYOFF FINALS UPDATES
1) OHL: Flyers 2017 first-round pick Morgan Frost led the way for the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds in Game 2 of the Ontario Hockey League Finals against the Hamilton Bulldogs. Frost had a three-point night -- power play primary assist, power play goal and shorthanded empty net goal -- and also went 18-for-23 on faceoffs with five shots on goal. The Hounds prevailed, 4-2, to knot the series at one game apiece. Flyers 2017 fourth-round pick Matthew Strome had one assist and was minus two in Game 2. Game 3 is in Hamilton on Monday, with Game 4 on Wednesday.
2) WHL: The Everett Silvertips were unable to protect an early 3-0 lead and went down in overtime, 4-3, to the host Swift Current Broncos on Saturday night in Game 2 of the Western Hockey League Finals. Everett held a 3-1 lead early in the third period and was clinging to a one-goal lead when the Broncos scored with 1:37 left in regulation to force OT. Giorgio Estephen scored at 9:27 of OT to tie the series at one game apiece. Carter Hart stopped 34 of 38 shots in a losing cause. Game 3 is in Everett on Tuesday, with Game 4 on Wednesday.
3) QMJHL: After being handily beaten, 4-1, in the first game of the QMJHL Finals, the Acadie Bathurst Titan struck back with a 4-0 shutout road win Game 2. Flyers 2016 first-round pick German Rubtsov did not record a point and was plus-one with one shot on goal. Game 3 is in Bathurst on Tuesday, with Game 4 on Wednesday.