The Morning Call

Falling Phantoms hope to find their footing in return to PPL Center

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of developing players and having players healthy for the Philadelph­ia Flyers when they need them. It’s a balancing act. Sometimes you get it right; sometimes you don’t. You do your best. No. 1, you’re thinking of the team, but you’re also protecting the players.” Phantoms jerseys?

They really were the Lehigh Valley Phantoms.

Sure, the defending Atlantic Division Champions and Calder Cup semifinali­st from a season ago may be “going to the dogs” in the standings because of a skid that has seen them lose four straight games, seven of nine and eight of 11, they truly went to the dogs this week to help bring attention, and eventually a forever home, to man’s best friend.

Goalie Alex Lyon, forwards Connor Bunnaman, Cole Bardreau, Nic Aube-Kubel, defenseman Reece Wilcox and Phil Samuelsson provided care and companions­hip to some animals in dire need of forever homes. after 55 games played. The Phantoms own a 27-22-3-3 record for 60 points, just one point ahead of Wilkes-Barre/ Scranton, which looked dead in the water at the beginning of 2019.

Meanwhile, the Hershey Bears have surged to third in the division with 65 points, and Providence is fourth with 64 points.

Want to know just how critical this weekend is?

The Phantoms are 10th in the Eastern Conference, four points out of a playoff spot.

This weekend, they face three opponents in front of them in the conference standings.

Syracuse leads the North Division and is in third place in the conference with 71 points plus a game-in-hand on the Phantoms.

Utica is seventh in the conference with 65 points, and Bridgeport is second in the conference with 73 points.

 ?? JANE THERESE/SPECIAL TO THE MORNING CALL FILE PHOTO ?? Lehigh Valley Phantoms goalie Alex Lyon leads the AHL with a .923 save percentage, and is top 10 in goals-against average at 2.50.
JANE THERESE/SPECIAL TO THE MORNING CALL FILE PHOTO Lehigh Valley Phantoms goalie Alex Lyon leads the AHL with a .923 save percentage, and is top 10 in goals-against average at 2.50.

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