Ouellette, Phantoms down Hartford for 2nd straight win

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Steve Kuzma/Flyerdelphia

After snapping an eight-game winless streak on Friday night, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms have found the winning touch, at least that's what it feels like.

On Saturday night, they turned in another solid performance and claimed a 2-1 win over the Hartford Wolf Pack at PPL Center.

Much like last night, the Phantoms jumped out early, when Davis Drewiske's fifth of the season put Lehigh Valley up just 33 seconds into the contest. After a board battle behind the net, Petr Straka found Drewiske alone in the near circle, and he rifled a one-timer past Magnus Hellberg.

A little more than 10 minutes later, they went up 2-0 when a Tyrell Goulbourne shot from the slot deflected off of the skate of Pavel Padakin and through the legs of Hellberg.

In the second, there was no scoring, but both teams failed to convert on power plays, with Lehigh Valley starting the third with 1:59 of a carryover man advantage after Brady Skjei took a tripping call with 1.6 seconds left in the period.

In the third, Hartford pressed really hard, but from the goalies out, the team had Martin Ouellette's back. Seconds into the third, Hellberg committed absolute robbery on Colin McDonald in the slot. Hartford had a magnificent chance on a power play midway through the frame, but the puck clanged off the post to the right of Ouellette.

The Wolf Pack's perseverance finally paid off with 15.7 seconds left in regulation. Marek Hrivik unleashed a one timer from the circle that beat Ouellette over the shoulder to pull Hartford to within one, and the Phantoms held on for their second win in a row.

Notes: Attendance was 8,677 the team's 11th consecutive sellout, and it matched their season high from last season. Flyers prospect Oskar Lindblom signed an amateur tryout contract with the Phantoms and will wear jersey No. 28.

Up Next: Lehigh Valley is off until next weekend, when they travel to St. John's Newfoundland to face John Scott and the St. John's IceCaps.

Brent Baldwin is Lehigh Valley Phantoms beat writer for Flyerdelphia. Follow him on Twitter @BBFlyerdelphia.

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