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Lehigh Valley Phantoms Win Longest AHL Game Ever

By Phyllis Hunter

PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 22: Radko Gudas #3 of the Philadelphia Flyers dives on the ice to make a defensive play against the New York Rangers as goaltender Alex Lyon #49 protects his crease on March 22, 2018 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Len Redkoles/NHLI via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 22: Radko Gudas #3 of the Philadelphia Flyers dives on the ice to make a defensive play against the New York Rangers as goaltender Alex Lyon #49 protects his crease on March 22, 2018 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Len Redkoles/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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On Wednesday night, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms made history by beating the Charlotte Checkers in the longest AHL game ever

The Philadelphia Flyers AHL affiliate Lehigh Valley Phantoms made history Wednesday night, playing in and winning the longest game in AHL history. The five overtime game finally ended when Alex Krushelnyski scored to give the Phantoms a 2-1 win in the fame.

It also gave them a 3-1 series lead over the Charlotte Checkers. While they played almost seven full periods, the result was only one win in the series.

Lehigh Valley Phantoms Goaltending Phenom

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The star of the show that ended after 1:00 a.m. ET on Thursday morning was Phantoms goaltender Alex Lyons with his 94 saves.  Sadly, Lyon’s 94 saves is not a record in the AHL. The record of 98 saves In the AHL belongs to the guy who holds most AHL records (and former Flyers goalie), Micheal Leighton. Yes, that Micheal Leighton, the one that gave up the Stanley Cup-winning goal to Patrick Kane in OT. In Philadelphia. In case you are wondering, yes, I am still bitter about that goal.

While Lyon’s performance may not have broken records, it did put hope in the hearts of Flyers fans everywhere. The Flyers have long struggled to find dependable goaltending. That lack of goaltending was never more obvious than in the Flyers first-round loss to their cross-state rivals the Pittsburgh Penguins

Goaltending was not the only issue in the Flyers six-game first-round ouster. However, the goaltending team of Brian Elliott, Michael Neuvirt, and Peter Mrazek gave up 28 goals in six games. That sort of Swiss cheese goaltending is never going to get the Flyers out of the first round, let alone see the Stanley Cup paraded down Broad Street.

Phantoms Not The Only Future of The Flyers

As Alex Lyons is helping the Phantoms set records, another Flyers goalie prospect is winning awards. Carter Hart was named WHL Goaltender of the Year for the third straight year, the first goalie yo win that award three times consecutively.

If that accolade isn’t enough to make Flyers fans hopeful, Hart was also named WHL PLAYER of the Year. Hart’s regular season GAA was 1.66, had 7 shutouts and a save percentage of .947. This Flyers fan has to wonder how the 18-year-old goaltending phenom would have fared against the Penguins; a thought that I am sure every Flyers fan has pondered.

Next: Ranking Each NHL Team's All-Time Starting Lineup

Alex Lyons and Carter Hart are the future of the Philadephia Flyers. While the future is indeed bright, the summer stretches long in front of the boys from Broad Street after another quick exit from the Quest for The Cup,

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