Future Flyers: Foerster, Lycksell, Ersson Shine in Phantoms’ Latest Win

Tyson Foerster, an AHL All-Star, scored twice Friday and became the Phantoms’ leading goal scorer for the first time this season. Olle Lycksell contributed three assists, and Sam Ersson stopped 34 of 36 shots as Lehigh Valley whipped the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, 4-2.

Ersson and Foerster have a good chance to be with the Philadelphia Flyers next season. Lycksell, a 23-year-old winger who has 30 points (7-23) in 29 games this season, also will have an opportunity to earn a spot with Philly in 2023-24.

The Phantoms, who are the Flyers’ top minor-league affiliate, raised their record to 20-15-5 Friday as a crowd of 7,748 watched at PPL Arena.

It was Whiteout Night, and the Phantoms wore new all-white uniforms, including white gloves. Lou Nolan, the Philadelphia Flyers’ iconic public address announcer, was a guest and did some PA work at the game.

Foerster, the Flyers’ first-round selection (23rd overall) in the 2020 draft, now has 15 goals — one more than Elliot Desnoyers. One of his goals Friday was scored as he was tripped and was falling down.

Ronnie Attard (sixth) and Cal O’Reilly (fourth) also scored for Lehigh Valley.

Foerster surging

Foerster, a 21-year-old right winger with a big shot, had his third multi-goal performance of the season, all in the last three weeks.

The 6-foot-2, 207-pounder made a good impression on Flyers’ coach John Tortorella during training camp. In four preseason games, he had a total of two assists and nine shots.

“He had a good camp. I really like him,” Tortorella said in early October.  “He can score goals.”

Tortorella said the AHL was the best place for Foerster at the time.

“We have to develop our players,” he said. “We have to develop a foundation of players to get this back to where we need to be.”

Ersson, 23, was impressive in a recent seven-game stint with the Philadelphia Flyers, compiling a 5-0 record, a 2.37 goals-against average, and .918 save percentage.  This is his second stint with the Phantoms. Overall, he is 11-9-1 with a 2.76 GAA and .909 save percentage with Lehigh Valley.

The Phantoms will host Hershey on Saturday.