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Quick Hits: Phantoms-Hershey, CHL Prospects Update |
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Quick Hits: May 2, 2024
1) Calder Cup Playoffs: The Lehigh Valley Phantoms dropped a hard-fought 2-1 decision to the Hershey Bears on Wednesday in Game 1 of the Atlantic Division semifinals. Although Cal Petersen (26 saves on 28 shots) played well overall, Hershey goalie Hunter Shepard (30 saves on 31 shots) was just a little bit better.
The Bears put up one goal apiece in the first and second periods. Hendrix Lapierre (recently returned from the Washington Capitals after scoring in Game 4 of their first-round playoff series loss to the New York Rangers). at 3:29 of the first period. At 17:17 of the middle frame, Hendrick Rybinski trickled a Matthew Strome rebound through the five-hole and just over the goal line for a 2-0 lead.
The Phantoms narrowed the gap to 2-1 with 4:32 left in the third period. With Petersen in the process of heading to the bench for an extra attacker, Tanner Laczynski (third goal in two games) took a centering feed from Bobby Brink and buried past Shepard. Lehigh Valley put on a heavy push both at 5-on-5 and 6-on-5 but could not muster a tying goal. Prior to the Laczynski goal, Olle Lycksell had Shepard between to the far side on a shot from the right circle but the shot hit the post and stayed out of the net.
Neither team had a power play in Game 1. The lone penalties were coincidental minors on J.R. Avon and Rybinski midway through the second period.
Lehigh Valley continued to go with an 11F/7D lineup. Rookie winger Samu Tuomaala remais sidlined with an injury sustained back on April 18. Other scratches on Wednesday included Elliot Desnoyers, Matt Brown, Massimo Rizzo (practicing with the team), Matthew Brown, Matt Miller, Ethan Samson, and Felix Sandström. The Phantoms lineup in Game 1:
28 Olle Lycksell - 9 Tanner Laczynski - 23 Bobby Brink
24 Adam Brooks - 22 Rhett Gardner - 20 Cooper Marody
17 Garrett Wilson - 56 Jacob Gaucher - 13 Brendan Furry
10 Evan Polei - (rotation) - 16 J.R. Avon
37 Adam Ginning -12 Ronnie Attard
6 Emil Andrae - 7 Louie Belpedio
19 Hunter McDonald - 2 Helge Grans
98 Victor Mete
40 Cal Petersen
[35 Alexei Kolosov]
2) OHL playoffs: After rattling off 10 straight wins to start the playoffs but suffering their first loss in Game 3 of the Western Conference Final, the London Knights got right back on the horse on Wednesday. London skated to a 7-3 road victory over the Saginaw Spirt to take a three games to one lead in the series.
Oliver Bonk's power play goal (3rd tally of the playoffs) at 10:17 of the second period proved to be the game-winner for London. This one was not scored from his favorite spot in the bumper. It was a scramble at the net, and Bonk corralled the puck to put it home on the backhand. Added to a first period assist on a Sam O'Reilly goal, Bonk has seven points in 12 postseason games. A plus-three on the night, Bonk was chosen as first star of Game 4.
Denver Barkey created a pair of Grade A scoring chances for the Knights but did not get on the scoresheet on this night. Saginaw goalie Nolan Lalonde's best save of the night came against on O'Reilly after a shorthanded 2-on-1 feed from Barkey. For the playoffs overall, Barkey has 13 points (3g, 10a) in 12 games.
The Knights will try to close out the series on home ice in Game 5 on Friday. The winner of the London vs. Saginaw series will face the victor of the Oshawa Generals vs. North Bay Battalion series. Oshawa currently holds a three-games-to-one edge.
3) QMHHL playoffs: The Victoriaville Tigres stayed alive in their playoff semifinal series against the Drummondville Voltigeurs with a 3-2 home overtime win in Game 4. Drummondville leads the series, three games to one.
In Game 4, Flyers prospect Alexis Gendron chipped in one assist. He notched a pair of goals and took third star honors in the previous game (a 3-2 win by Drummondville). Overall for the playoffs, Gendron has six goals and 11 points in 11 games played.
The winner of the Drummondville vs. Victoriaville series will play the winner of the Baie-Comeau Drakkar vs. Cape Breton Eagles series for the QMHL championship. Drummondville can close out the series at home on Friday.
Philadelphia Flyers Blogger •NHL.com • 
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