Scott Laughton Shootout Goal Vaults Phantoms Past Providence
March 13, 2015 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Lehigh Valley Phantoms News Release
Providence, RI - Rookie Scott Laughton scored in the third round of the shootout for the Lehigh Valley Phantoms who prevailed at Providence 2-1 on Friday night. Rob Zepp stole the show with 33 saves to hold off the Bruins' attack. Lehigh Valley ended an 11-game home-ice win streak for Providence who had not lost at the Dunkin Donuts Center in over two months.
Adam Comrie scored a huge goal for the Phantoms late in the first period on his 5-on-3 power-play blast that knocked the water bottle with just 1.1 seconds showing on the clock. His tally came just a couple of minutes after a Colin Stuart deflection goal of a Steve Eminger shot on a Providence power play.
It was the 20th game of the season to be decided in overtime or shootout for the Phantoms, 2nd most in the AHL trailing only the St. John's IceCaps who played past regulation on 21 occasions. The Phantoms are now 6-1 in shootouts and are 13-7 overall when tied at the end of 60 minutes (including a 7-6 record in overtime verdicts). More recently, the Phantoms have had even more frequent late-night dramatics having now gone to overtime or shootout in eight out of the last 13 contests.
Lehigh Valley is 2-0 in the early proceedings of their five-game away-swing and now appear to be road warriors as well with a stellar 5-1 performance in their last six occasions away from home. The Phantoms are an impressive 10-4 on the road since the calendar turned to 2015.
The Bruins raced off to a quick start in the game with a 6-0 shots advantage but Zepp was ready from the start and made several fine stops. Eventually, the Phantoms defense would buckle down and would limit the Bruins chances as the game seemed to be clogged up in various stretches without as much action. The Phantoms had a tough time getting their offense going through much of the night with a season-low 17 shots on goal in regulation including only six shots in the first and then just four drives in the second period.
Everything changed late in the third as the pace picked up. The Phantoms seemed to have finally worn down the tenacious guarding of the Providence Bruins with Lehigh Valley pushing on some of their best chances. Somehow the game would remain without any further scoring leading to yet another opportunity for overtime heroism.
Jason Akeson almost scored his second overtime goal in about a week but his drive clanged off the iron and away.
Scott Laughton's score at the beginning of the third period was the only conversion for either side. Rookie talent Alexander Khoklachev had an opportunity to equalize in the third period but, after in
The Phantoms' five-game road-swing continues on Friday and Saturday at the Providence Bruins and Bridgeport Sound Tigers. Be sure to catch each of Lehigh Valley's next five games on Fox 1470 AM, online at www.fox1470.com or via the iHeartRadio app. Coverage begins at 6:20 p.m. each night with the Nazareth Pallet Countdown to Faceoff.
The Phantom return to downtown Allentown on Sunday, March 22nd at 5:05 p.m. when they welcome the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins to town for another Pennsylvania rivalry showdown. Sunday's contest features a FREE youth street hockey stick giveaway for the first 3,000 kids in attendance ages 14 and under. A limited number of tickets for Lehigh Valley's next home game are available now at pplcenter.com, by calling 610-347-TIXX (8499) or in person at the Mealey's Furniture Box Office at PPL Center (701 Hamilton).
Check it out! Reserve your season tickets now for the 2015-2016 season of Lehigh Valley Phantoms hockey. For more information on how to reserve your seat at PPL Center to the hottest ticket in town call the Phantoms front office today at 610-224-GOAL (4625)!
American Hockey League Stories from March 13, 2015
- Monsters Shut Out San Antonio 4-0 - Cleveland Monsters
- Rampage Shut Out by Lake Erie 4-0 - San Antonio Rampage
- Syracuse Crunch Crunch Sign Charlie Dodero to AHL Pact - Syracuse Crunch
- Crunch Sign Charlie Dodero to AHL Pact - Syracuse Crunch
- Pirates Sink Admirals in OT, Win 2-1 - Portland Pirates
- Falcons Edged by Wolf Pack, 2-1, in OT - Springfield Falcons
- Scott Laughton Shootout Goal Vaults Phantoms Past Providence - Lehigh Valley Phantoms
- Amerks Nipped by Bulldogs in 4-2 Loss - Rochester Americans
- Allen Lifts Wolf Pack in OT - Hartford Wolf Pack
- Bears Strike Early, Hang on to Defeat Senators - Hershey Bears
- Albany Devils Get Much Needed Win against Worcester Sharks - Albany Devils
- Portland Ties It Late and Wins in Overtime, 2-1 - Norfolk Admirals
- Bulldogs Top Americans 4-2 - Hamilton Bulldogs
- Sharks Fall Short in Albany 3-2 - Worcester Sharks
- P-Bruins Lose at Home for First Time in Two Months - Providence Bruins
- King of the Hill: IceCaps Top Monarchs - St. John's IceCaps
- Monarchs Rally But Fall to IceCaps, 5-4 - Manchester Monarchs
- Canucks Recall Joacim Eriksson from Comets - Utica Comets
- Coreau Reassigned to Grand Rapids - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Coyotes Assign Shinnimin to Portland - Portland Pirates
- Chicago Wolves Host Career and Networking Fair on March 19 - Chicago Wolves
- Jets Recall Keaton Ellerby from St. John's IceCaps - St. John's IceCaps
- Albany Devils Sign Matt Lorito to ATO - Albany Devils
- Admirals Sign Rocco Carzo to PTO - Norfolk Admirals
- Capitals Recall Burakovsky from Hershey; Re-Assign Schilling to Hershey - Hershey Bears
- Canadiens Recall Greg Pateryn from Bulldogs - Hamilton Bulldogs
- Griffins Kept in Check with Shootout Loss - Grand Rapids Griffins
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