Flyers prospect Carter Hart sharp in pro debut for Phantoms

Carter Hart, who is viewed as the Flyers' goalie of the future, had a strong pro debut Saturday night as he helped the AHL's Phantoms open their season with a 6-3 win over visiting Bridgeport.

With a standing-room-only crowd watching in Allentown, Hart turned aside 30 of 33 shots. He allowed two late goals on both ends of a five-on-three power play, but was in control for most of the game.

Greg Carey and Nic Aube-Kubel each had a pair of goals for Lehigh Valley.

"Every team needs a good foundation, and we have a very good base with him in the net," Aube-Kubel told the Morning Call.

With the Phantoms holding a 1-0 second-period lead, Hart made perhaps his biggest save as he stopped highly-touted Islanders prospect Kiefer Bellows on a breakaway.

"He was there at critical times," Phantoms coach Scott Gordon said of Hart.

"I was impressed with him," Carey told the Morning Call. "…Rookie goalie. You never know how he's going to handle the pressure. Lots of people in the barn here, but he was great. He was phenomenal in the net and hopefully, he can keep it going for us."

Hart, 20, known for his composure, said he was "feeling pucks as they came, taking one play at a time. That was just my focus throughout the game. I thought we did a really good job, guys blocking shots and clogging the front of the net."

Lehigh Valley's next game is Friday, also at home, against Springfield.