Bruins Hang on in First Game of 2019

January 4, 2019 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Lehigh Valley Phantoms News Release

Providence, R.I. - The Providence Bruins took advantage of a quick scoring spurt at the end of the first period and hung on from there in a 4-2 victory over the Lehigh Valley Phantoms on Friday night at Dunkin' Donuts Center in Providence in the first game of 2019 for both teams.

The Phantoms trailed 3-0 after one when the Bruins scored thrice in a span of just 1:18 to break open what had been a 0-0 tie.

Lehigh Valley rallied in the second period with a pair of goals on only two shots. Chris Conner (11th) put the Phantoms on the board with his unassisted breakaway. And Misha Vorobyev (4th) found the back of the net on a pass attempt that banked off a Bruins defenseman's leg.

Gemel Smith (2nd, 3rd) led the Bruins attack with a pair of goals which he scored just 21 seconds apart in the opening frame. Trent Frederic (7th) had opened the scoring less than a minute earlier. Joona Koppanen (2nd) deflected a point-shot just 3:30 into the third to open the lead back up to 4-2. Goalie Zane McIntyre held off the Phantoms the rest of the way.

Lehigh Valley (19-11-3) continues their stronghold on third place in the Atlantic Division and took a rare road loss slipping to 10-4-2 away from PPL Center. The Bruins evened the season series with the Phantoms at 2-2 with just two more meetings remaining between the two foes.

Alex Lyon repelled 30 out of 34 Bruins' drives. Providence out shot the Phantoms 34-20. The Bruins scored a power-play goal in the first period representing the first time the Phantoms had allowed a man-advantage marker on the road since November 17th at Springfield in a streak of 25 consecutive away kills.

Lehigh Valley's roadie through New England continues Saturday night at the Hartford Wolf Pack with broadcast coverage on 790-WAEB and the Phantoms 365 app. The Phantoms then play at the Springfield Thunderbirds on Sunday afternoon at 3:00 p.m.

The Lehigh Valley Phantoms play their first home games of 2019 on Friday, January 11th and Saturday, January 12th against the Binghamton Devils and Hershey Bears.

Lehigh Valley Phantoms 2 at Providence Bruins 4 - Status: Final

Friday - Dunkin' Donuts Center

Lehigh Valley 0 2 0 - 2

Providence 3 0 1 - 4

1st Period-1, Providence, Frederic 7 (Hughes, Kuhlman), 17:32. 2, Providence, Smith 2 (Zboril, Frederic), 18:29 (PP). 3, Providence, Smith 3 (Clifton, Senyshyn), 18:50. Penalties-Cehlarik Pro (bench minor - too many men), 1:53; Brennan Lv (cross-checking), 18:24; Brennan Lv (fighting), 20:00; Lauzon Pro (fighting), 20:00.

2nd Period-4, Lehigh Valley, Conner 11 8:29. 5, Lehigh Valley, Vorobyev 4 (Leier), 13:22. Penalties-Aube-Kubel Lv (hooking), 4:34.

3rd Period-6, Providence, Koppanen 2 (Clifton, Cumiskey), 3:33. Penalties-Szwarz Pro (interference), 8:05; Brennan Lv (delay of game), 13:48.

Shots on Goal-Lehigh Valley 0-2-0-2. Providence 3-0-1-4.

Power Play Opportunities-Lehigh Valley 0 / 2; Providence 1 / 3.

Goalies-Lehigh Valley, Lyon 7-5-1 (34 shots-30 saves). Providence, McIntyre 8-8-3 (20 shots-18 saves).

A-7,764

Referees-Michael Markovic (47), Jeremy Tufts (78).

Linesmen-Kyle Richetelle (47), Kevin Keenan (22).

Ticket Information

Tickets for each and every Phantoms home game throughout the 2018-19 season are available online at pplcenter.com, by calling 610-347-TIXX [8499] or in-person at the QNB Box Office [7th & Hamilton].

Lehigh Valley Phantoms goaltender Alex Lyon and his defense attempt to hold off the Providence Bruins

Lehigh Valley Phantoms defenseman Zach Palmquist vs. the Providence Bruins

American Hockey League Stories from January 4, 2019

• Griffins Fall 3-2 in Shootout to Penguins - Grand Rapids Griffins
• Lone Goal Not Enough at Texas - Manitoba Moose
• Binnington Blanks Wolves - Chicago Wolves
• Penguins Start 2019 Strong with Shootout Win over Griffins - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
• Koivula extends goal-scoring streak to four games in setback on Friday - Bridgeport Islanders
• Wolf Pack Start Strong, Tokarski Makes it Enough - Hartford Wolf Pack
• Smith Powers P-Bruins to 4-2 Win - Providence Bruins
• Crunch Tame Sound Tigers, 3-1 - Syracuse Crunch
• Bruins Hang on in First Game of 2019 - Lehigh Valley Phantoms
• Sens Denied by Checkers - Belleville Senators
• Devils Lose Lead in 5-1 Setback to Marlies - Binghamton Devils
• Tokarski & Wolf Pack Stymie T-Birds in Hartford - Springfield Thunderbirds
• Checkers Start 2019 with 4-1 Stomping of Sens - Charlotte Checkers
• Brookbank Named to Chicago Staff, Sorensen Promoted to Assistant Coach - Rockford IceHogs
• Drake Rymsha Reassigned to Manchester - Ontario Reign
• Pirri Returns from Vegas - Chicago Wolves
• Comets Sign Alex Sakellaropoulos to a PTO - Utica Comets
• Card Set Giveaway, Postgame Skate Highlight Sunday Slate - Rockford IceHogs
• Get Called up to New Jersey Courtesy of Labatt, Townsquare Media and Mirabito - Binghamton Devils
• Game #31 Preview: Tucson at Stockton - Tucson Roadrunners
• TSN Adds Three More American Hockey League Broadcasts - AHL
• Marlies Set for 3-In-3 - Toronto Marlies
• Canes Reassign Fleury to Charlotte - Charlotte Checkers
• Zadina Returns to Griffins After World Junior Championship - Grand Rapids Griffins
• Senators Announce Family Package for Family Day Weekend - Belleville Senators
• Kaut Returns from IIHF WJC Run with Czech Republic - Colorado Eagles
• Barracuda Set to Become the Worcester Sharks on January 13th - San Jose Barracuda
• Canucks Recall Demko from the Comets - Utica Comets
• Heat Chase Two Points against Roadrunners Friday - Stockton Heat
• Condors Host Colorado and the Zooperstars Tonight - Bakersfield Condors
• Ottawa Recalls Balcers from Belleville - Belleville Senators
• Sound Tigers Continue Road Trip in Syracuse, Binghamton - Bridgeport Islanders
• T-Birds Begin 2019 with Three-Game Weekend - Springfield Thunderbirds
• 'Canes Recall McKegg on Emergency Basis - Charlotte Checkers
• Griffins Host $2 Beers/$2 Hot Dogs and Plaid Hat Giveaway against Belleville Next Week - Grand Rapids Griffins
• Game Day Build-Up: Senators vs. Checkers, January 4 - Belleville Senators

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Lehigh Valley Phantoms Stories

• Ābols and Eklind Sign Contract Extensions
• Phantoms Fall in Playoff Series Finale
• Luchanko Geared for Phantoms' Biggest Game
• Preview: Phantoms at Bears, Game 5
• Bears Survive to Force Game 5