Stolarz will miss AHL playoffs; Phantoms clinch home ice in 1st round
Goalie Anthony Stolarz will not play in the AHL playoffs and will be sidelined for three or four months, Phantoms coach Scott Gordon said after his team clinched home-ice advantage in the opening round with a 5-4 overtime win Friday over visiting Providence.
Stolarz, 23, has a chance to be the Flyers' backup goalie next season, and he will be ready for their training camp, Gordon said.
The coach did not reveal the nature of the injury, but Stolarz has been using crutches since leaving the ice early in Wednesday's game.
In seven games with the Flyers this season, the 6-foot-6 Stolarz had a 2.07 goals-against average and .928 save percentage.
Lehigh Valley will open the playoffs at home Friday against a still-to-be-determined opponent. The Phantoms will face either Hershey or Providence.
In Friday's win, Greg Carey (28th) and Andy Miele (12th) scored in the final 62 seconds of regulation to force overtime. Corban Knight (11th) scored 48 seconds into OT.
Lehigh Valley scored its last three goals in a span of 1:50.
Colin McDonald (25th) and Scott Laughton (18th) also scored for the Phantoms. Defensemen T. J. Brennan (three) and Travis Sanheim (two) combined for five assists.
Alex Lyon was replaced after allowing four goals. Relief goalie Martin Ouellette got the win, stopping all 18 shots he faced.
With Stolarz sidelined, Lyon will likely get most of the playoff starts.
The Phantoms (47-23-5) finish their regular season Saturday night in Binghamton.