Photo: Sons of Penn

The Lehigh Valley Phantoms beat the Hershey Bears 5-2 in the 2018 AHL Outdoor Classic at Hersheypark Stadium Saturday night in Hershey. The Phantoms would jump out to a quick 2-0 lead and take that lead into the first intermission. Nathan Walker would cut the Phantoms lead in half with his first goal since returning to the Bears, but the Phantoms would answer just before the end of the second period, taking a 3-1 lead into the second intermission. Travis Boyd would cut the lead to 3-2 late in the third period but the Phantoms would add two empty net goals for the 5-2 win. 

STARTERS
Pheonix Copley (8-6-5, 2.89 GAA, .898 sv%) got the start between the pipes for the Bears. Alex Lyon (10-8-2, 3.12 GAA, .901 sv%) got the start for the Phantoms. The starting forward lines and defensive pairs for the Bears:

Bourque-Boyd-Bau
Walker-Graovac-Barber
Gazley-Albert-Simpson
O’Brien-Sill-G.Mitchell
Ness-Hobbs
Siegenthaler-Lewington
Labrie-Johansen

Scratches – Jeremy Langlois (injury), Colby Williams (suspension), Mason Mitchell, Anthony Peluso.

FIRST PERIOD
The Phantoms would strike first on their first shot on a rebound goal by Colin McDonald at 2:59 of the first period.

The Phantoms would make 2-0 with a goal by Alex Krushelnyski at 8:28 of the opening frame.

The Bears would step-up the pressure following the Phantoms second goal, but were unable to find the back of the net. The first period ended with Lehigh Valley hanging on to a 2-0 lead. Shots on goal for the first period were 12-8, in favor of the Bears.

SECOND PERIOD
The Phantoms would hold the edge in offensive zone time early in the middle frame, but Copley was solid in keeping the score at 2-0. Shots on goal were 6-2 Phantoms after the first seven minutes of play.

The Bears began to buzz late in the second period but momentum was extinguished when Connor Hobbs was called for a high stick. Shots on goal were 12-10 for the Phantoms with 5:14 remaining in the period.

The Bears would finally get on the scoreboard with a goal by Nathan Walker at 16:54 of the middle frame. This was Walker’s first goal since returning to the Bears after a stint in Washingtoncapitals ngoni and Edmonton. Travis Boyd and Aaron Ness were credited with the assists.

But the Phantoms would get the goal right back. Chris Connor would score with seven seconds remaining in the period, making it 3-1 at the second intermission.

Shots on goal for the second period were 16-15 in favor of Lehigh Valley. The Bears led in shots on goal through 40 minutes 27-24.

THIRD PERIOD
The Bears came out firing the puck, leading 4-1 in shots on goal through the first six minutes of the final frame, and led 8-3 with 10 minutes left in the game, but were not able to find the back of the net.

Travis Boyd would cut the Phantoms lead to 3-2 with a 6-on-5 goal at 17:04 of the final frame. Nathan Walker and Chris Bourque were credited with the assists. This was Boyd’s ninth goal of the season.

The Phantoms would add two late empty net goals and hang on for the 5-2 win.

SHAVINGS

•  Bears had a season high 43 shots on goal.
• AHL box score is here.
• Attendance: 13,091

By Jon Sorensen

SCENES FROM HERSHEY

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That’s a wrap from Hersheypark Stadium! Not the outcome we wanted but hope everyone had a wonderful experience! #OutdoorClassic

A post shared by Hershey Bears (@thehersheybears) on Jan 20, 2018 at 6:57pm PST