The Phantoms went 1-0-1 this weekend, bringing their record up to 9-6-3 which elevated them to third in the Atlantic Division.
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Olle Lycksell
Lycksell posted a goal and two assists in two games over the weekend, bringing him up to 18 points in 18 games on the season. It’s hard to quantify just how good Lycksell has been when it comes to producing offense this season. He’s second in the AHL goalscoring race with 12, tied for first in powerplay goals and powerplay points with six and 11 respectively, and he also leads the league in shots with 69. He’s up to 26 goals and 63 points in 71 career AHL games dating back to last season.
Samu Tuomaala
Tuomaala had a goal and three assists this weekend. Expectations were low for Tuomaala’s return to North America, but he now has 17 points in 18 games this season, which is good enough for fourth in rookie scoring in the AHL. He’s part of a trio with Lycksell and Tanner Laczynski and the three have been magic both at even strength and the powerplay. It’s once again time to consider Tuomaala a top prospect.
Tanner Laczynski
Laczynski extended his point streak to five games when he posted two goals and an assist in two games. He’s scored five goals and four points during the last five games and is up to 17 points in 16 games on the season. Chances are, he won’t get another chance with the Flyers, but he’s certainly building up his value when his contract expires this offseason and he can seek an NHL opportunity elsewhere.
Alexis Gendron
Gendron posted two goals, one coming on the powerplay in Sunday’s contest against the Rochester Americans. Gendron is still being used sparingly, only suiting up for every other game and stuck to the fourth line when he does play, but got elevated to the third line with Elliot Desnoyers and Cooper Marody and saw man advantage minutes too. His two goals were his first points since October 20, so hopefully getting back on the score sheet will be the start of establishing himself in the lineup regularly.
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Elliot Desnoyers
Desnoyers returned from injury this weekend and posted an assist on Gendron’s first goal on Sunday. This felt like the first time that Desnoyers was playing noticeably well all season. Considering he was a two-way beast and set the Lehigh Valley Phantoms’ record for rookie goalscoring last season, it was nice to see a glimpse of the player he was last season and could serve as a jumping off point for him to return to the level he was at previously.
Ronnie Attard
Ditto for Attard. He had a single assist this weekend, but it felt like some of his most noticeable hockey of the season, which is a good sign because Attard could use some good luck breaking his way.
Felix Sandstrom
Sandstrom returned from injury for his first game as a full-time member of the Phantoms and allowed four goals on 15 shots. While at face value that may seem underwhelming, one of those came on a five-on-three, one came on a regular powerplay and another came on an odd-man rush. He made some big saves elsewhere and is an overall significant improvement over either Cal Petersen or Parker Gahagen, which will help the Phantoms establish themselves as playoff threats this season.
Wade Allison
Much like Attard and Desnoyers, Allison’s weekend wasn’t about scoring, though he did have an assist on Sunday, it was more about how he played. Allison has every right to be angry how things went for him with the Flyers, but his best chance for a future is to get his game back and be the force with the Phantoms he’s been in the past.
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Helge Grans
The 21-year-old former 35th overall pick in 2020 has been serving as the top right-handed defenseman alongside countryman Emil Andrae but there just hasn’t been an overwhelming amount of life to his game. He may not be a net negative most nights, but this can’t be what was expected of him when he was acquired during the offseason.
Ethan Samson
Samson was scratched in Sunday in favor of depth defenseman Adam Karashik. He has just a single assist and a -5 rating through 14 games.
By: Dan Esche (@DanTheFlyeraFan)
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