Amerks Power Past Phantoms

Sandstrom Wins in Return to Lehigh Valley

January 18, 2024

Allentown, PA – The Rochester Americans scored thrice on the power play, including a game-winner from Isak Rosen with just 3:07 left, to sneak past the Phantoms 3-2 on Saturday night at PPL Center as the two teams traded road victories in the home-and-home series. Rosen (15th, 16th) landed two of those power-play goals. Helge Grans (6th) and Anthony Richard (8th) lit the lamp for Lehigh Valley while goaltender Keith Petruzzelli (30/33) was sparkling in his Phantoms’ debut despite taking the loss.

Lehigh Valley (19-15-6) absorbed just their second regulation loss of January (6-2-1) while allowing three power-play goals for just the second time this season.

Rochester (23-10-4) was backstopped by former Phantoms goaltender Felix Sandstrom (7-4-1) who recorded the win in his first game back to PPL Center. Sandstrom waved to the crowd during a tribute announcement at the first promotional timeout of the game. He played 88 games for the Phantoms as well as 30 games for the Philadelphia Flyers mostly over four seasons and returned to Allentown for his milestone 100th AHL game.

Lehigh Valley allowed three power-play goals in a game for just the second time this season as the previously stalwart penalty kill couldn’t contain the young playmakers on the Americans’ man-advantage unit.

Sandstrom was tested early on a power blast from the left circle by Rodrigo Abols. The 28-year-old goaltender fought it off but wasn’t aware that it was to his left and in the crease. His defense bailed him out and cleared the loose change out of harm’s way.

The Phantoms opened the scoring early in the second period on a top-shelf blast from the right point by Helge Grans after Anthony Richard rotated behind the goal and connected with the big righty-shooting defender perfectly in his wheelhouse. Brendan Furry also assisted on the play.

Rochester’s first goal on the power play at 11:15 of the second was from Rosen beneath the right dot on a sharp angle beating Petruzzelli past the glove. The forme Toronto Marlies’ goaltender was 1-0 all-time in this building from a win with the Toronto Marlies against Lehigh Valley almost exactly a year ago. And he was on top of his game to start with several strong denials among 18 consecutive saves before the Amerks finally broke through.

Lehigh Valley retook the lead at 15:49 on a power play goal from the right circle by Anthony Richard who converted off a Samu Tuomaala shot that was blocked but then nudged across by Jacob Gaucher setting up the go-ahead marker. Richard’s two-point performance came in his 499th career AHL game. It was also Richard’s fourth game back in the lineup following a month layoff due to injury and was his second goal since returning, both on the power play including a game-winner in the third period on Wednesday against Belleville.

Rochester rallied to equalize with some snappy high-low puck movement eventually setting up 19-year-old Anton Wahlburg (6th) in the slot who sniped past the stick side of Petruzzelli to tie the game at 2-2 with just 32 seconds remaining in the period on their second power-play marker.

Rochester had extra gas in the tank to make a harder push in the third period trying to break the 2-2 tie and the Phantoms were somewhat on their heels. Another Lehigh Valley penalty led to the power-play winning goal wth just 3:07 left on Rosen’s rocket from the right circle past Petruzzelli for the 3-2 final.

The Phantoms return to action with a pair of home games next weekend hosting the Springfield Thunderbirds on Friday, January 24 and then the Bridgeport Islanders on Saturday, January 25 on meLVin Youth Jersey Night.

SCORING SUMMARY

2nd 2:35 – LV, H. Grans (6) (A. Richard, B. Furry) (1-0)
2nd 11:15 – ROC, I. Rosen (15) (Z. Metsa, N. Ostlund) (PP) (1-1)
2nd 15:49 – LV, A. Richard (8) (J. Gaucher, S. Tuomaala) (PP) (2-1)
2nd 19:28 – ROC, A. Wahlburg (6) (J. Dunne, K. Helenius (PP) (2-2)

3rd 16:53 – ROC, I. Rosen (16) (M. Jobst, N. Ostlund) (PP) (2-3)

Shots:
LV 27 – ROC 35

PP:
LV 1/3, ROC 3/7

Goaltenders:
LV – K. Petruzzelli (L) (0-1-0) (32/35)
ROC – F. Sandstrom (W) (7-4-1) (25/27)

Records:
Lehigh Valley (19-15-4)
Rochester (23-10-4)

UPCOMING

Friday, January 24 (7:05) – Springfield Thunderbirds at Phantoms

Saturday, January 25 (7:05) – Bridgeport Islanders at Phantoms – meLVin Youth Jersey Night

Sunday, January 26 (3:05) – Phantoms at W-B/Scranton Penguins

Wednesday, January 29 (7:00) – Phantoms at Bridgeport Islanders

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