Wednesday games are back! The last couple pre-empted by COVID outbreaks and a two-bit pop band. I know the mid-week match-ups aren’t for everyone, but I’ve learned to love them. Welcome to a hump-day tilt versus the P-Bruins!
Photo: Jack Mitroka
Where We Stand
The Phantoms are in seventh place in the AHL Atlantic, six points behind the surging Penguins with two games in hand. Recall that six teams make the playoffs. Would you rather have a credit towards next season on your ticket plan? Or, get pasted by the Bruins in the first round of the playoffs? Something to think about during tonight’s game.
Lately
The road trip didn’t go well last weekend yielding a pair of 2-1 losses in Cleveland. At least, one was in OT. February, including a ton of home games, ended with a 4-6-2 record. Just, kinda, below average.
Reports from Cleveland suggested somewhat sloppy games with very poor power play ability, and reasonable goaltending.
Player Updates
Sandstrom and Errson have groin injuries. Errson’s has been recurrent and now bilateral–to the point that they not only want to get him 100%, but also work on some preventative measures. Nagle has returned from the Olympics.
Rubtsov suffered an injury in Cleveland. Word is that it’s going to take some time to heal. I’m cheering for the kid, but one has to wonder if we’ve seen his last play in North America.
Frost and York are back from Philadelphia and have been assigned a mission. York has been asked to join the attack more often and to play a complete game. Frost has been directed to “dominate.” We’ll talk more about this in a bit. They’ll likely be back in Philadelphia at the trade deadline–if not sooner. It’s a good chance to judge their games live, right now.
Allison is healthy but still with Philly as of this writing. I kind of expect him back if for no other reason than conditioning. Ryan Fitzgerald has been with the Phantoms for a bit. I expect to see him make his season debut any day now.
F Adam Johnson joined the team via trade–the former Penguin. He promptly got injured. I’ve heard he’s “week to week.”
Photo: Jack Mitroka
Observations
The last couple home games, I thought the team was moving the puck very well. I thought they were holding the zone OK and that the power play looked at least average. I was disheartened to hear about the play in Cleveland, but very curious to see what we have going forward–both before and after the trade deadline. Lots to watch tonight I think–see below.
GAME DAY!
The Bruins are in second place currently, in the AHL Atlantic, but are at a points deficit to the Hartford Wolfpack. They are 7-3 in their last 10 games. Their PP% is a midling 15th in the league, but rises to 6th for Away games. Their PK% is 6th overall, and 16th on the road. Two weeks ago they got D Aaron Ness back from the Olympics and C Jack Studnicka back from Boston.
Usual Stuff: Good seats are still available; 6:00PM STH Entry (69News and Air Products); 6:15PM all doors; 7:05PM Show; 7:15PM Hockey. Park head in unless you’re in the arena deck. Farr Lot is closed for future DaVinci Center construction. Dime Restaurant and Bar are fully re-opened. 99 Bottles and Hamilton (“Sports and Social”?) still closed.
OFFICIALS
Referee Patrick Hanrahan (#52)
Referee Mason Riley (#79)
Linesperson Tyler Loftus (#11)
Linesperson John Rey (#16)
MEDIA KIT
This guy might make a good winger. Photo: Jack Mitroka
Things To Watch
- Watch the games of F Morgan Frost and D Cam York. They’ve been given pretty clear directive why they’re here and what Philadelphia expects to see.
- Does Cam joining the attack leave his D-partner (usually 29 Wylie) out to dry? Will Wylie also being joining the rush–he’s no slouch himself–leaving the back end open?
- Is Frost so set on “dominating” on the offensive end going to have him neglecting his full-ice responsibilities? What about the other players on Frosty’s line?
- Watch the goalies. Ustimenko and Nagle have been sharp. What do you think?
- Watch the power play. I thought it had been better, but in Cleveland it was horrid (by reports). What does it look like tonight?
- Can the Phantoms 5th-ranked PK keep the Bruins in check?
- What kind of crowd we gonna get on a March Wednesday?
What’s Next?
Phantoms have two at home with Charlotte this weekend, Friday and Saturday, recognizing 25 years of Phantoms hockey. At Hershey Tuesday 3/8, followed by Laval and Hartford next Friday and Saturday respectively, at the PPL Center. Then, six straight road games for the Phantoms to close out March as the PPL Center will welcome other events, including the NCAA Hockey Tournament.
See you at the arena,
@Kram207
Categories: Kram's Korner - From the Club Level, Phantoms Hockey
noisenation.wordpress.com 
Leave a Reply