The Phantoms went 2-0 last week, bringing their record on the season to 3-3-1-1. They outlasted Hershey 2-1 on Wednesday and beat up on Springfield, both literally and figuratively, winning 5-2 on Saturday.
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Olle Lycksell
Lycksell had a pair of assists, one in each game, last week. He’s got four points in his last five games. Even though Lycksell hasn’t scored his first goal of the season, he’s up to 35 SOG on the season, *by far* the most on the team. Lycksell has been playing on both wings and seeing copious power play time, so even if the Flyers have written him off, he’s trying new things and serving the Phantoms well as their top forward.
Samu Tuomaala
Tuomaala had a goal and an assist, both on the power play, on Saturday. The sophomore forward remains at a point-per-game through eight contests and has become particularly useful on the man advantage. At this point if an injury strikes on the main roster, it may be worth giving Tuomaala a chance to show his stuff at the NHL level to see if he’s ready to take the next step (barring Tortorella would actually use him, that is).
Oskar Eklind
Eklind had three assists last week. They were the first three assists of his North American career and brings him up to five points in eight games. Not sure if he qualifies as a “prospect” or not, but considering he’s under an NHL contract and could get recalled to the main roster, it’s a good start for a player they took a chance on during the summer.
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Hunter McDonald
McDonald had a fight and tallied an assist on Saturday. It’s his third point and second fight of the season. The ebbs and flows continue for the rookie defenseman, but it was nice to see him get involved both physically and on the score sheet during a physical contest where the Phantoms opened up for five goals. On paper, he’s technically on the top pair with Louis Belpedio, but really the defensive pairs are seeing fairly even deployment considering their lack of a true top lefty or righty at the AHL level.
Helge Grans
Grans had a goal and assist this weekend. It was his first points of the season and his one goal ties his season high from last season. Since Emil Andrae punched his ticket to the main roster, Grans (and the entire Phantoms D-core) is going to need to step up in his absence, and Grans did just that this weekend.
Ethan Samson
Samson went pointless and broke even at 0+/- through two games this week. He did take a minor penalty in each game, but it was an otherwise quiet and unspectacular week for the sophomore defenseman. But hey, he didn’t actively regress either, so it’s not a negative. Also worth noting that the right-handed defenseman is second on the team in shots on goal with 24, 11 behind first place Lycksell and two ahead of third place Jacob Gaucher.
Adam Ginning
Speaking of unspectacular, Adam Ginning has yet to record a point in eight games this season, along with a -2 rating with four penalty minutes. Ginning has never been and will never be the flashiest player, and his play hasn’t been too bad, but he’s been quiet even by his standards.
Zayde Wisdom
Don’t look now, but Wisdom has two points in five games this season. Considering he had three points in 49 games last season, it feels like a notable progression. His status as a prospect is still pretty low these days, but it’s certainly a trend in the right direction for a player that didn’t seem to carry any value heading into the season.
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Ronnie Attard
Attard racked up 15 minutes of penalties on Saturday. He had a fight and was called for a 10 minute major in a secondary altercation in what was a brawled-filled game between the Phantoms and Falcons. It’s easily the most notable thing that Attard’s done all season.
Alexis Gendron
After putting put two points in his first game of the season last week, he played a minimal role on Wednesday and was back in the press box for Saturday’s contest. Seems like Lappy hasn’t loosed his reins on Gendron since last season, which is a shame, because he may be one of the most skilled players on the team if given the opportunity.
Massimo Rizzo
We finally got an explanation to the absence of Rizzo. He had appendicitis sometime during training camp has should return at some point in the near future. At least there was an excuse for his absence and he wasn’t just banished to the shadow realm by Ian Laperriere. Why did it take so long to get any kind of update on the player? Welcome to the AHL news cycle.
By: Dan Esche (@DanTheFlyeraFan)
brotherlypuck.com 