Penguins shut out by Phantoms, 3-0

WILKES-BARRE, PA – The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins ran into a shutout showing by Alex Lyon of the Lehigh Valley Phantoms in a 3-0 loss on Wednesday night at Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza.

Lyon put forth 31 saves to preserve a clean sheet as the Penguins fell to 39-17-3-0 on the season.

Chris McCarthy gave the Phantoms an early lead at 3:39 of the first period by taking advantage of a turnover at the Penguins’ blue line.

Both team’s goaltenders strutted their stuff in what became a scoreless second period. Lyon and Tristan Jarry racked up double-digit save totals in the middle frame with 11 and 10 stops, respectively.

As the Penguins’ efforts to tie the game were continually turned aside, Colin McDonald eventually made it 2-0 at 12:02 of the third. A late power play goal by Mark Zengerle brought the scoring to a close.

The Penguins were unsuccessful on one power play bid in the game, and their penalty kill went six-for-seven on the night.

Jarry ended up matching Lyon’s 31-save total, but saw his personal record drop to 23-13-1.

AHL's Phantoms end successful 5-game road-trip

"The Neutral Zone" American Hockey League Report

Phantoms goaltender Jason LaBarbera playing in the
team's 5-2 win over the Pirates on January 3, 2015.

The Philadelphia Flyers' AHL affiliate, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms earned some rest after ending a five-game road trip, playing six games in the past nine days, and going 3-0-2 on the road trip.

The road trip ended with a 2-1 victory over the Portland Pirates on Sunday evening. Lehigh Valley now has a record of 18-17-3 and have gone over the .500 mark for the first time this season with the win.

The Phantoms managed to win without two key veteran players; Andrew MacDonald and Aaron Palushaj both sat this one out with ailments that are not believed to be serious.

The Phantom's next game is January 8, 2015 at home against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, the Pittsburgh Penguins' AHL affiliate.

Flyers recall defenseman Andrew MacDonald from AHL

"The Neutral Zone" Roster Report

Andtew MacDonald

Defenseman Andrew MacDonald was recalled by the Philadelphia Flyers on Monday from Lehigh Valley of the American Hockey League.

MacDonald, 29, was placed on waivers Oct. 5, and after he cleared was sent to the AHL the next day. In 23 AHL games he had one goal, 13 points and a plus-4 rating.

In 2013-14, MacDonald had four goals, 24 points, and an NHL-high 242 blocked shots in 82 games with the New York Islanders and Flyers; he had four assists in 19 games after the Flyers acquired him in a trade on March 4, 2014. He signed a six-year, $30 million contract April 15, 2014. But last season he struggled with poor play and injuries, and had 12 points in 58 games.

"[MacDonald] is a good player. We can't forget that," Flyers general manager Ron Hextall said in October. "I'm convinced he’s going to be back in the NHL and be a productive player at some point."