Samu Strikes for the Winner after Tying Goals by Gardner and Wilson
November 27, 2024
Hartford, CT – The Comeback Crew was at it again as the “Lehigh RALLY” Phantoms pulled off another dramatic win in a 5-4 overtime victory at the Hartford Wolf Pack on Wednesday night.
Lehigh Valley (7-6-4) had to tie the game TWICE in the closing minutes of the game ultimately setting up Samu Tuomaala’s winning blast in overtime. Rhett Gardner tied it at 3-3 with 4:27 left and then it was Garrett Wilson to force overtime with another tying goal at 4-4 with just 1:47 to go.
Tuomaala was open away from the benches after Ben Gleason successfully pulled the puck out of the corner. His connection across set up the second-year winger for his team-leading eighth goal of the season as he struck from the right circle to the far post as Lehigh Valley picked up its third overtime victory in November. Tuomaala had also opened the scoring for the Phantoms in his first two-goal game of the campaign before picking up his third career overtime goal. Tuomaala also had a November overtime strike against Hartford last season on November 3 at PPL Center.
The Phantoms never led until the very end when it mattered most. In the meantime, Cal Petersen pushed forth with a season-high 41-save performance to keep the Phantoms within striking distance as the Wolf Pack racked up 45 shots on goal, most surrendered by the Phantoms this season. Anton Blidh (3rd, 4th) led the offense for the Baby Blueshirts.
Lehigh Valley ended a four-game winless skid and regained the form they showed on their recent three-game winning streak and seven-game point streak. The Phantoms had three consecutive comeback wins in that streak including two overtime wins that featured late tying tallies before the extra-time celebration.
All three games between the Phantoms and Wolf Pack have gone to overtime this season. Both teams have played in eight overtime games this season which is tied with Toronto for most in the AHL.
Almost HALF of Lehigh Valley’s games have gone to overtime: 8 out of 17.
Anton Blidh redirected a point-shot by Matthew Robertson to open the scoring for Hartford at 5:06.
But the Phantoms had the first of their four straight quick responses when Samu Tuomaala picked up a bad drop and raced in for a backhand breakaway beauty at 6:28 to even the score at 1-1.
Hartford (8-7-3) re-took the lead at 7:37 into the second period on Bo Groulx’s team-leading eighth goal of the season to make it…
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