Lehigh Valley Phantoms’ Thrilling Comeback Secures Sweep and Playoff Progression Against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
Driven by their tenacity and fervor, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms defeated the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in an exciting, high-scoring game to advance to the second round of the Calder Cup Playoffs.
The Penguins had the early advantage, leading 1-0, through the opening twenty minutes of play. Ronnie Attard was able to tie the score at one during the second period’s power play, but it was evident that the Phantoms were searching for more.
Within minutes of one another, the Penguins would score two more goals. Lehigh started to worry when Wilkes-Barre/Scranton had a two-goal advantage over the Phantoms.With 20 minutes left in regulation and trailing the Penguins 3-1, the Phantoms realized they were in serious trouble. With two power-play goals from Tanner Laczynski and Emil Andrae, momentum appeared to be on the rise; Lehigh tied the game at three. Sadly, with almost three minutes remaining in the game, the Penguins managed to take the lead once more. Fortunately, Laczynski scored quickly to tie the score.
Due to the two sides’ inability to win in regulation, a fierce but brief overtime period was played. Two minutes into extra time, forward Jacob Gaucher scored the game-winning goal for the Phantoms. The Phantoms win 5–4 and move on. The Phantoms, who had difficulty during game 2, made a fantastic effort to sweep the two games.
With the Phantoms defense stepping up in key situations to keep the result from being different, Cal Petersen made 24 saves. In Round 2, the Phantoms will take on the Hershey Bears, the reigning Calder Cup champions. On May 1 and May 4, the Bears will host the Phantoms.
Games 3 and 4 will be hosted by the Phantoms on May 8 and May 11. The Bears have an 8-2-0-2 record against the Phantoms this season. Having swept the Penguins will give Lehigh even more self-assurance.