Who says there isn’t playoff Hockey in Philadelphia this spring? The Flyers American Hockey League affiliate Leigh Valley Phantoms began their quest for a Calder Cup tonight in Charlotte against the Charlotte Checkers (Florida Panthers). The American Hockey League is equivalent to MLB’s Triple-A as it serves as the National Hockey leagues top level of minor Hockey. For many the presence of the Phantoms in the playoffs is a sign of good things to come for the Flyers. You are watching the future of the Flyers with the Phantoms.
The Phantoms finished the 2022-23 season with a 37-29-6 record they qualified as the 6th seed in the Atlantic Division. The Checkers finished the season with a 39-25-8 record and qualified as the 3rd seed in the Atlantic Division. The AHL has two rounds of divisional playoffs, one round of conference playoffs, and one round of finals playoffs. There are two conferences and two divisions per conference. The Phantoms and Checkers will play a best-of-three-game opening-round series. All three games of the series will be played in Charlotte due to the geographic difference between the two teams.
The Game
Sam Ersson gets the start for the Phantoms, for the Checkers Mark Guzda will be between the pipes. The Phantoms would get the scoring going. In the first period, The Checkers would get the scoring started at the 8:28 mark Lucas Carlsson (1) gave the Checkers a 1-0 lead. Adam Brooks (1) would score at the 12:54 mark to answer for the Phantoms tying the game 1-1 That would be your score heading into intermission.
In the second period, it would be all Phantoms. I mean it would be all Tyson Foerster (1,2). The highly touted Flyer’s prospect would score twice including a beautiful goal that showed off Foerster’s natural scoring ability at the: 49-second mark of the period. Cooper Marody (1) would also score for the Phantoms in that second period. The Phantoms would take a 4-1 lead into the intermission.
In the third period, the Checkers would push. Riley Nash (1) would cut the deficit to 4-2 at the 9:40 mark of the third. Santtu Kinnunen (1) would pull the Checkers to 4-3 at the 10:18 mark. The Phantoms would hang on to take a 1-0 game series lead.
Tyson Foerster (Phantoms) would finish with the first star nod. Lucas Carlsson (Checkers) would be your second star with his goal and assist. Adam Brooks (Phantoms) is your third star with his goal and assist. Game 2 of the series will be Thursday night at 7 PM. The Phantoms will be looking for the series sweep.
Matt Bednarczyk is your host of Talking Philly Sports With Matty B. He is a proud retired US Army Sergeant First Class, he is also a combat veteran with over 80 months served in Afganistan, and Iraq . Huge Hockey Fan. Matt is a lifelong 4 for 4 Philly sports fan. Born and raised on the Mayfair and Tacony neighborhood lines of Northeast Philly. He brings over 40 years of Philadelphia Sports passion and provides a realistic look at our Major Sports Teams and the most passionate sports fans on the planet. Look for his show live on Edge of Philly Sports.
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