The Lehigh Valley Phantoms played two games this week, embarking on a home-and-home series against the Binghamton Devils.
The Phantoms traveled to Binghamton for their sixth-straight road contest to take on the Devils Friday night. Unfortunately, the team could not finish the job, losing Binghamton 4-3 in overtime. However, Lehigh Valley exacted their revenge Saturday in their first home game since October 19th. The Phantoms erased a two-goal deficit to defeat the Devils 3-2.
Lehigh Valley currently sits in third place in the Atlantic Division with a 6-3-1-1 record through 11 games.
Philippe Myers
For Myers, it is all about obtaining the attention of Ron Hextall and receiving a promotion to the Philadelphia Flyers. He helped strengthen his case this weekend, recording an assist in each contest. He still frequents the penalty box a bit too much for my liking. However, producing points on a nightly basis will get him to the National Hockey League sooner rather than later.
Mikhail Vorobyev
Vorobyev’s start to the 2018-19 professional hockey seen can only be viewed as a failure. Whether the fault belongs to him or the people running the show in Philadelphia is a conversation for a different time. However, not capitalizing on his opportunity with the Flyers and ending up back with the Phantoms is not what the young forward planned. Still, that became the case, and Vorobyev made himself known on Friday night in Binghamton. He put together a two-point demonstration, recording a goal and assist in his team’s overtime loss. Every event presents an opportunity, and Vorobyev needs to prove he belongs in the NHL. Racking up points in Lehigh Valley will only help.
Mikhail Vorobyev gives the Phantoms the lead! pic.twitter.com/fwx6VeOV0s
— Broad Street Hockey (@BroadStHockey) November 3, 2018
German Rubtsov
Rubtsov continued his hot start to his rookie season with a two-point weekend. He scored a goal in Friday night’s overtime loss and recorded a helper in Saturday night’s victory. Rubtsov now has five goals and three assists in 11 games for the Phantoms this season.
Vorobyev to Rubtsov.
Nothin' but net. 🇷🇺 pic.twitter.com/Sh3ZmabUHq
— Lehigh Valley Phantoms (@LVPhantoms) November 3, 2018
Mike Vecchione
Vecchione took a big step in getting his offensive game going this weekend. He doubled his point total by recording one goal and two assists in the last two games. His goal on Saturday completed the comeback and gave the Phantoms the victory in overtime. Hopefully, this weekend was the spark Vecchione needed, and he will start producing more offense as the season rolls along.
Faceoff win ✔️
Catch pass ✔️
Skate ✔️
Shoot ✔️
Score ✔️
Celly ✔️
Complete the comeback win ✔️
Be first star ✔️
Get milk 🔲
Buy Alex Lyon a steak dinner 🔲
Remember to turn the stove off before leaving home 🤔So Mike Vecchione (@Mvecc8) has checked off most of his to-do list. pic.twitter.com/ZPx6hYsIVW
— Lehigh Valley Phantoms (@LVPhantoms) November 4, 2018
Alex Lyon
In the AHL, it’s challenging to assess or highlight a goalie through a weekly snapshot. Usually, a particular netminder only occupies the net for one game a week, if any. However, it wouldn’t be right to not give Alex Lyon a shoutout for his fantastic performance on Saturday. He stopped 40 of the 42 shots he faced and cleaned up his play as the game rolled along. Without him standing tall in net, the Phantoms do not win Saturday.
Up Next for Phantoms
The Phantoms have two games on tap for the week ahead. They will play host to the Springfield Thunderbirds on Friday night and then take on the Charlotte Checkers Saturday for another home game.
Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
