The Clock is Ticking on the Lehigh Valley Phantoms & They Have No Answers
“Eventually, we’re going to have to learn that being on the right side of the game is important” - John Snowden
The Lehigh Valley Phantoms started a pivotal three-in-three with a 5-3 loss to the Springfield Thunderbirds. The Phantoms needed the win and were outplayed from the opening puck drop against a team that was chasing them in the Atlantic Division. This team looks like a mess right now with no answers.
It’s a shock considering where the Phantoms were at the start of the season and the expectations starting in the offseason. With a new coach, a wave of prospects, and the right veteran mix, the Phantoms looked like a team that could be in the Calder Cup conversation while providing a steady pipeline for the Philadelphia Flyers. Instead, the Phantoms are falling apart at the worst time.
They might miss the playoffs, and based on their play from the past three months, it wouldn’t be surprising either. “It’s been a 63, four-five month stretch where we’ve talked about the same thing,” Phantoms head coach John Snowden stated after the 5-3 loss, a loss that looked all too familiar for the Allentown faithful who have watched this team for the past few months. Bad Habits Are Still Costing The Phantoms The penalties have been an issue all season, and it was noticeable again in the loss to the Thunderbirds.
The Phantoms took three early on in the game that prevented them from establishing any momentum and instead had them chasing the game. It’s been the story all season, and it’s something they should have fixed a while ago. Good teams, or more accurately, well-coached teams, don’t take penalties.
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