Phantoms Win Longest Game in AHL History
May 10, 2018 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Lehigh Valley Phantoms News Release
Lehigh Valley Phantoms Goaltender Alex Lyon vs. the Charlotte Checkers
(Lehigh Valley Phantoms)
Charlotte, N.C. - Alex Krushelnyski scored at 6:48 into the fifth overtime finally ending the longest game in the 82-year history of the American Hockey League at 1:09 a.m. capping an incredible night (and early morning) of hockey in Charlotte. Colin McDonald won the puck in the right corner and connected with an open Cole Bardreau behind the net who found Krushlenyski open in the slot for the one-timer past the blocker of Alex Nedeljkovic thus triggering an exuberant celebration from the overjoyed Phantoms.
Alex Lyon recorded 94 saves on 95 shots which was the second-most in AHL history. The Phantoms took a 3 games to 1 lead in the series. And both of the drained teams are certainly happy that there are two days off before Game 5 of the series on Saturday night at 6:00 p.m. in Charlotte.
Counting down to 17:01 left in the 5th overtime, the fans who remained at Bojangles' Coliseum let out a loud cheer. Many in the building clearly were well-aware that it was at that very instant that the two teams had passed the record for the longest game in AHL history. The total time for the game was six hours and six minutes. Only three NHL games have gone longer than the new longest-ever AHL marathon.
Lyon's 94 saves included an amazing 79 consecutive stops over the final 119:56 of the game following Charlotte's tying goal by Patrick Brown at 6:52 of the second period. Danick Martel had scored in the first period for Lehigh Valley.
The Phantoms played the bulk of the game with only five defenseman after Samuel Morin left with a lower-body injury in the first period following a check into the boards from Brown.
On April 24, 2008, the Philadelphia Phantoms defeated the Albany River Rats at 2:58 into the 5th overtime on a game-winner by Ryan Potulny in what was previously the longest game in AHL history on a record-setting night that many thought would never be broken. Michael Leighton of Albany made 98 saves in the losing cause. Those two teams were also the affiliates of the Philadelphia Flyers and Carolina Hurricanes just like this one.
The Phantoms had consecutive power-play opportunities in the third overtime but were unable to convert and later Charlotte had a power play at the end of the third overtime but the Phantoms penalty kill hung tough.
The pace was understandably significantly slower as the game continued on past 11:00 p.m. and then eventually past midnight on one of the most incredible nights of hockey that any of the participants will likely ever be involved in.
Charlotte out shot the Phantoms 95-53. Both teams were 0-for-3 on the power play. Lehigh Valley can clinch the series with a victory on Saturday night at Charlotte and would then advance to the Eastern Conference Finals to tangle with the Toronto Marlies. If the Charlotte Checkers survive in the fifth game and force a Game 6 then that would take place in Allentown on Monday evening.
Lehigh Valley Phantoms 2 (OT) at Charlotte Checkers 1 - Status: Final 5OT
Wednesday - Bojangles' Coliseum
Lehigh Valley 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 - 2
Charlotte 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 - 1
1st Period-1, Lehigh Valley, Martel 4 (Brennan, Fazleev), 16:24. Penalties-Bishop Cha (interference), 8:18; Myers Lv (slashing), 19:07.
2nd Period-2, Charlotte, Brown 1 (Samuelsson), 6:52. Penalties-Myers Lv (interference), 4:01.
3rd Period- No Scoring.Penalties-No Penalties
OT Period- No Scoring.Penalties-No Penalties
2nd OT Period- No Scoring.Penalties-No Penalties
3rd OT Period- No Scoring.Penalties-served by Kuokkanen Cha (bench minor - too many men), 6:39; Zykov Cha (tripping), 9:15; Brennan Lv (holding), 16:08.
4th OT Period- No Scoring.Penalties-No Penalties
5th OT Period-3, Lehigh Valley, Krushelnyski 2 (Bardreau, McDonald), 6:48. Penalties-No Penalties
Shots on Goal-Lehigh Valley 9-5-10-10-5-1-7-6-53. Charlotte 10-14-17-11-15-12-10-6-95.
Power Play Opportunities-Lehigh Valley 0 / 3; Charlotte 0 / 3.
Goalies-Lehigh Valley, Lyon 5-1 (95 shots-94 saves). Charlotte, Nedeljkovic 4-3 (53 shots-51 saves).
A-5,385
Referees-Chris Schlenker (48), Corey Syvret (42).
Linesmen-Libor Suchanek (60), James Tobias (61).
In the midst of the club's 12th postseason appearance in franchise history, the Phantoms have captured two Calder Cup Championships (1998, 2005) and carry a 62-54 overall mark in 116 career AHL postseason outings. This is the fifth regular season division title in franchise history and the team's first since arriving in the Lehigh Valley.
Playoff strips, 10-game flex packs and single game playoff tickets to the 2018 Calder Cup Playoffs are all on sale now!
Be here for every home playoff game in your same great seats with the Playoff strip. The "pay as we play" option offers a convenient payment plan and the largest discount on tickets.
Flex packs give fans the flexibility of selecting the games and number of tickets they want. For more information on Phantoms playoff packages, contact the Phantoms office at 610-224-GOAL [4625].
The Phantoms will once again be hosting an Orange Out during each home playoff home this season. Fans are encouraged to wear orange to each and every postseason game at PPL Center as we create the best and most exciting home-ice advantage in the league.
Images from this story
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