The Phantoms went 3-0 this weekend, bringing their record to 31-22-3-3 on the season as they sit fifth in the Atlantic division.
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Elliot Desnoyers
Desnoyers has been with the Flyers for four games now, which is great for his individual career, but the Phantoms are feeling his absence when he’s with the big club. He scored a goal upon his return on Sunday to stretch his team lead to 21. He’ll be a key piece of a playoff push, so selfishly, the Phantoms are probably hoping he spends most of the rest of the season with them. He’s currently tied for the team lead in points with 39 alongside Tyson Foerster.
Ronnie Attard
Attard has come a long way this season, and has really grown since the calendar switched to 2023. He registered a goal both Friday and Saturday night, bringing his point total to 10 goals and 27 points in 57 games. Considering how desperate the organization is for a worthwhile right-handed defenseman, Attard sure seems to be growing into that role and seemingly gets better and more noticeable every game.
Cooper Marody
Marody isn’t really a prospect, but he’s got six goals and 10 points in his last four games, including a hat trick on Saturday night. For a team that is rallying around a playoff spot, Marody has heard that message loud and clear and has stepped up in the absence of Foerster and Desnoyers who were with the Flyers for two of the three games over the weekend.
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Egor Zamula
Zamula recorded two assists in three games over the weekend. He hasn’t been much for the score sheet this year with just one goal and 16 points in 39 games, but his overall play has grown quite a bit as the unquestioned number one left-handed defenseman on the team. He’s learning how to play a much better defensive game and will be a better player in the long run because of this run in Lehigh Valley.
Tyson Foerster
Foerster earned his first NHL recall late last week. He played two games with the big club going pointless, though he did score a goal upon his return to the Phantoms on Sunday. He now has two goals and six points in his last seven games in Lehigh and shares the team lead with points with Desnoyers at 39. Hopefully the recall to the NHL lights a fire under Foerster and he can finally elevate his game to the next level that he’s been teasing all season.
Sam Ersson
It’s been another interesting week for Ersson, who once again walked away with a stinker on paper despite his on-ice play being rather strong. He allowed three goals on 18 shots on Saturday, but two of those three goals happened thanks to the defense completely falling apart. He’s still the backbone of the club and they’re in good hands with Ersson leading the way to the postseason. He’s on a three game win streak and has nine wins in his last 12 games.
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Bobby Brink
Brink has just two point in his last nine games despite his overall play still staying at a consistent level. He’s still working his way back from offseason hip surgery and the initial energy he had has cooled off a bit as he’s well into the thick of his return. Once Brink gets everything to align, he’ll be a very good player, but the slump is real at the moment.
Hayden Hodgson
Remember when the Flyers signed Hodgson to a two-year NHL contract last season and 2023-24 becomes a one-way deal. Just feels apropos with Chuck Fletcher’s firing to bring this up again.
By: Dan Esche (@DanTheFlyeraFan)