Flyers Prospect Report: Phantoms Eliminated by Bears

After claiming a win in Game 3 of the Atlantic Division semi-finals, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms had the defending back-to-back Calder Cup champions on the ropes. But with nearly a week off between games, the Hershey Bears were able to regroup and took care of business to continue their quest for a three-peat.

The Phantoms were unable to take advantage of a chance to close out the series at home on Friday night, falling 6-4. On Sunday, their season came to an end in a 4-2 loss in Hershey.

The Bears out-shot the Phantoms, 12-3, in the opening period on Friday to open up a 3-0 lead. Two quick goals by Zayde Wisdom and Rodrigo Abols cut the lead back to one in the second, but the Bears responded with two more goals to restore the three-goal lead after two periods.

A late push by the Phantoms fell short, as Oskar Eklind and Jacob Gaucher scored to turn a 6-2 game into a 6-4 game. Cal Petersen, starting for the injured Parker Gahagen, made 21 saves on 27 shots.

The Phantoms fell behind early and were unable to catch up in the clincher for Hershey on Sunday. Spencer Smallman and Riley Sutter got goals in the opening period to open up a 2-0 lead. Sutter added another goal in the second to make it 3-0.

Anthony Richard scored on the power play early in the third. After killing off three straight penalties, including a full two-minute 5-on-3, the Phantoms cut the lead to one with 5:57 to play on a Hunter McDonald goal.

Bogdan Trineyev iced the game with an empty-net goal in the final two minutes of the game.

Petersen made 18 saves on 21 shots in the Game 5 loss.