Before this week begins, it's time for our weekly check-in on the Flyers' prospects playing in the AHL, overseas and at the junior and college levels.
In this edition, we'll take a look at the Phantoms' goaltending situation, a Hobey Baker favorite's scorching start and plenty more from a busy week down on the farm.
• With Alex Lyon back from a lower-body injury, the Phantoms' crease now features three goaltenders and no simple solution. Carter Hart needs to play, and he will. It appears, for now, the plan is to rotate goalies with each spending a night not dressed, but is that sustainable?
Lyon made his season debut Saturday in Wilkes-Barre, allowing three goals on 45 shots in the Phantoms' 6-3 win. He saw high volume in his first game action and passed. Lyon dressed for the first time Friday but backed up Hart. Saturday, Anthony Stolarz backed up Lyon with Hart sitting out.
Hart made his third pro start Friday and was shelled for five goals on 33 shots in Lehigh Valley's 5-4 loss to the Penguins. He was pulled on Oct. 12. There is no reason to panic. Hart is adjusting to the pro game, and it's better for him to go through this process in the AHL than with the Flyers. Despite a solid preseason, we've received our answer: Hart still needs a little more time.
Stolarz, though, appears to be the odd man out with Lyon back. Hart started Sunday, and was stronger in a shootout loss, with Stolarz backing him up. Stolarz hasn't played since Oct. 13.
• While the Ohio State football program was upset by Purdue this weekend, its hockey team, ranked No. 1 in the country, suffered its first defeat in a weekend split with Massachusetts.
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But, Tanner Laczynski, one of the preseason Hobey Baker favorites, continued to produce. Laczynski saw his point streak dating back to last season extend to nine games with a three-point weekend. He registered an assist in the Buckeyes' 6-3 loss to UMass Friday night and netted two goals in OSU's 3-1 win Saturday night. That's now five points in four games this season.
Tanner Laczynski scored for the Buckeyes in the first period, assisted by Hein and Gabriele.
The goal extended his point streak to nine games. #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/Su06VMzMb0— Ohio State Men's Hockey (@OhioStateMHKY) October 20, 2018
• Morgan Frost is lighting the OHL on fire, per usual. It's the old normal.
Frost had a monster week for Sault Ste. Marie with nine points in three games. He had a one-goal, three-assist night Wednesday, a two-goal, one-assist game Friday and a two-assist effort Saturday. He leads the OHL in scoring with 24 points in 13 games for 1.85 points per game.
Some highlights from last week:
❄️FROST WARNING❄️
Bar-⬇️ for @_morganfrost_10 on the PP, they don't get much prettier than that.
2-1 #HOUNDS | #GoHoundsGo pic.twitter.com/5O5F2qtBrk— Soo Greyhounds (@OHLHoundPower) October 20, 2018
❄️MORGAN FROST. OVERTIME WINNER!❄️ pic.twitter.com/mc1rP5CAGt— Soo Greyhounds (@OHLHoundPower) October 20, 2018
🚨HOWDY x2🤠🤠🚨
Second of the game for @KeeghanHowdesh1 on the PP!
2-1 #HOUNDS | #GoHoundsGo pic.twitter.com/KTUvXA2Nxw— Soo Greyhounds (@OHLHoundPower) October 21, 2018
Quick hits
• German Rubtsov registered his first multi-goal and multi-point game of his North American pro career Saturday with a two-goal game in the Phantoms' win over Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. Rubtsov has three goals in six games in his first season in Lehigh Valley.
The Phantoms tie it, 2-2, 6:40 into the second period. Goal from German Rubtsov.
🍎: Mark Friedman #LVvsWBS #WBSPens #DKPS pic.twitter.com/ui9EroTAZU— Taylor Haase (@TaylorHaasePGH) October 21, 2018
The Phantoms take a 4-3 lead in the final minute of the second period. Goal from German Rubtsov.
🍎: Connor Bunnaman
🍏: Mark Friedman#LVvsWBS #WBSPens #DKPS pic.twitter.com/IrSEHHuZY5— Taylor Haase (@TaylorHaasePGH) October 21, 2018
• Philippe Myers has goals in two of his past three games.
His goal from Friday:
The Phantoms tie it, 2-2. Philippe Myers with the goal.
🍎: Zach Palmquist
🍏: Phil Varone#WBSvsLV #WBSPens #DKPS pic.twitter.com/zl0QESlzyQ— Taylor Haase (@TaylorHaasePGH) October 20, 2018
And from Saturday:
Woof. Phantoms take a 5-3 lead over WBS. Goal from Philippe Myers.#LVvsWBS #WBSPens #DKPS pic.twitter.com/K81O3jXHbn— Taylor Haase (@TaylorHaasePGH) October 21, 2018
• Matthew Strome continues to rack up points for Hamilton as his point streak reached four games. He has 11 points during this current streak and nine points in three games last week.
• Wisconsin defenseman Wyatt Kalynuk continued his scorching start, adding three points in two games, including a goal and an assist Saturday. He now has six points in four games.
• The Athletic's Corey Pronman has high praise for Flyers 2017 sixth-round pick Olle Lycksell, who has four points in 10 games this season with Linkoping of the SHL.
I've been quite impressed by Lycksell this season. During the summer I saw a dynamic skill player but I had concern over his size and speed. He's looked quicker in the SHL games I've seen. He's been a part of Linkoping's top power play unit and looks confident at the top level making skilled plays and creating chances. I think he'll be an important part of Sweden's World Junior team.
• Yegor Zamula, the undrafted Calgary (WHL) defenseman the Flyers signed after training camp, had four points in four games last week for the Hitmen.
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