While the Philadelphia Flyers are battling for a playoff spot with just 2 games remaining in the regular season, their farmhand in Lehigh Valley is doing the same thing with just 3 games left to play.
The Phantoms pulled off a massive shootout victory over the Cleveland Monsters on Sunday that was solidified by tallies from Jack Berglund and Cole Knuble in the shootout and a big glove save from Carson Bjarnason.
Cleveland led things off with 2 goals in the first period before the Phantoms scored three unanswered from Jacob Gaucher, Boris Katchouk, and Noah Powell. The Monsters tied things up with 3:23 remaining before the rookies sealed the deal in the shootout.
The AHL playoffs are a little different from the NHL in that 23 teams participate in the festivities, which includes the top-6 teams from the Atlantic Division, the top-5 teams from both the North and Central Divisions, and the top-7 from the Pacific Division.
The win last night has the Phantoms in 7th place in the Atlantic Division but only 2 points out of a playoff spot with 3 games to play. Hershey is in 5th with 69 points, Springfield are in 6th with 68 points, and the Phantoms are in 7th with 66 points.
The Phantoms have a massive clash with Springfield upcoming on Wednesday night, which is followed up with a back-to-back on the road with the Charlotte Checkers to close out the season.
The Checkers, the Carolina Hurricanes’ AHL affiliate, are sitting pretty in 3rd place with no chance of moving up or down, which could allow them to sit key players in the final games of the regular season.
However, for the Phantoms to move up and solidify their playoff spot, they will need some outside help. Hershey will be playing Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Bridgeport, and Rochester, whereas Springfield will be ending the season with a back-to-back against Hartford after their game against the Phantoms.
Lehigh Valley has been paced by Lane Pederson’s 23 goals and 48 points this season, followed by Anthony Richard’s 44 points, and newcomer Phil Tomasino, who has 41 points in just 51 games.
The additions of Tomasino, Christian Kyrou, Oliver Bonk, and David Jiříček have done wonders for the Phantoms, who will be hoping to avenge their best-of-5 series loss to Hershey in last year’s Semifinals.
Jiříček, who was recalled by the Flyers on Sunday, has delivered with 13 points in 13 games for the Phantoms since being acquired from the Minnesota Wild. Considering the fact that the Flyers regular season comes to a close on Tuesday, Jiříček should be good to return to the Phantoms lineup for Wednesday’s clash against Springfield.
