Change on horizon for Phantoms
With a six-game win streak, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms may need a bit of a challenge.
They got that challenge on Monday, when goaltender Anthony Stolarz was recalled by the Flyers to replace an injured Michael Neuvirth, who figures to be out four-to-six weeks with a lower body injury. Neuvirth's absence means not only a recall for Stolarz, but the likelihood that he will get to see his first action in the NHL.The 22-year old Stolarz was recalled last season on a couple of different occasions, but never got off the bench. With the severity of Neuvirth's injury, it's likely that Stolarz will have the chance to play for the Flyers at some point, while Steve Mason figures to see the majority of the action in net for Philadelphia.A native of Jackson, New Jersey, Stolarz has been spectacular in goal for the Phantoms this season, going 6-2 with a 2.39 goals against average and a save percentage of .927 across eight games. His latest win came Saturday night when he made 20 saves in a 7-2 blowout of Toronto, while collecting his fourth-straight win and the fifth-straight for Lehigh Valley.While Stolarz will get some time in Philadelphia, Alex Lyon takes over as the top goaltender for the Phantoms. Lyon has gotten wins in his last two starts, allowing just two goals in 61 shots for Lehigh Valley. Lyon, 23, made his professional debut with the Phantoms earlier this season and is 2-1-1 in four starts with a 2.99 GAA and a .909 save percentage.The Phantoms also had to say goodbye to winger Petr Straka, who was dealt to the New Jersey Devils on Saturday. Straka had been a healthy scratch for Lehigh Valley in all 10 of their games this season after the Flyers added veterans Greg Carey and Andy Miele to the Phantoms roster, squeezing Straka out of the picture.Straka issued a statement on Twitter, saying, in part... "I would like to thank [the] Philadelphia Flyers for giving me an opportunity to become [a] professional hockey player in North America... wearing [a] Flyers jersey for my first NHL games is something that I will never forget... you guys made me feel at home in [the] Lehigh Valley and I can't say how much I appreciate that."Philadelphia will receive a conditional draft pick from the Devils as compensation for Straka, who was assigned to Albany. The Phantoms don't play the Albany Devils until Jan. 7, when the two teams meet in Allentown.The Phantoms are off until Wednesday night when they host rival Wilkes-Barre/Scranton at the PPL Center, looking to stretch out their current six-game win streak.WHY THEY'RE WINNING... Lehigh Valley has outscored their opponents 28-10 during its win streak. The Phantoms have worked to limit second chances for opponents by jamming the lanes and controlling the middle of the ice.IN GOOD STANDING... Wednesday night's game against the Penguins is an early season showdown in a battle for first place in the Atlantic Division. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton holds a four-point lead over Lehigh Valley coming into the week. Bridgeport is right on the Phantoms tails, just one-point behind the Phantoms.WELCOME HOME... So far, the Phantoms are 3-1-1-0 at home this season, better than the 2-4-0-0 mark they had at the same point last season. Last season, the Phantoms weren't as comfortable at home, going 14-21-1-2 on the season. Since moving to the Lehigh Valley for the 2014-2015 season, Lehigh Valley is now 34-37-7-3 at the PPL Center.