By Michael Heilman

The Lehigh Valley Phantoms headed to the Giant Arena to finish the home and home weekend against the Hershey Bears. The Bears defeated the Phantoms 2-1 Friday night and were looking to split the weekend series in this latest story rivalry.

The Phantoms had an opportunity to take the lead with under five minutes left to play in the first period after Bears left-winger Shane Gersich got called for tripping. However, the Phantoms failed to take advantage of the power-play. The Bears also had a man advantage after Phantoms defenseman James De Haas was called for holding. Neither team could score, and the game remained tied 0-0.

The second period was a different story. There were plenty of fights that led to several players from both teams sent to the penalty box. The Bears would go on a five on four power-play when Phantoms forward Isaac Ratcliffe was called for elbowing, unsportsmanlike conduct and roughing. Carsen Twarynski served the Ratcliffe penalty for elbowing. The Bears took advantage of the power play as Mike Sgarbossa (9) scored with Alex Alexeyev (10) and Christian Djoos (12), assisting Sgarbossa’s goal to put the Bears up 1-0. The Phantoms were on the power play three times and could not find the net as the Bears remained in the lead 1-0 at the end of the second period.

Both of these teams continued to exchange punches early in the third period. Phantoms right-winger Kurtis Gabriel and Bears left-winger Kale Kessy were sent to the penalty box for multiple calls. The Phantoms could not find a way to score for the entire game and would go on to lose to the Hershey Bears 1-0.

The Phantoms won the shots on goal total with thirty-two to the Bears twenty. The Phantoms were zero for four on the power play while the Bears were one for four. Phantoms goalie Jean-Francois Berube made nineteen of twenty saves allowing one goal while Bears goalie Vitek Vanecek stopped all thirty-two shots.

The three stars of the game were Bears defenseman Alex Alexeyev with an assist, Bears center Mike Sgarbossa with one goal, and Bears goalie Vitek Vanecek with thirty-two saves.

The Phantoms will now have another home and home series next weekend starting Friday, December 13th at 7:15 pm against the Hartford Wolf Pack at the XL Center and Saturday, December 14th, at 7 pm from the PPL Center.