ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Jett Luchanko didn’t get an opportunity to play much high-pressure hockey this season. His junior team, the Guelph Storm, finished in last place in its conference, while Team Canada’s stay in the World Junior Championships not only didn’t last very long, but Luchanko only skated in a depth role — something that was frustrating for the Philadelphia Flyers brass.
Advertisement
But Luchanko’s getting a taste of it now. The AHL Lehigh Valley Phantoms are in a dogfight with the Hershey Bears, the back-to-back defending Calder Cup champions, with a decisive Game 5 set for Sunday evening. Hershey took games 1 and 4, while the Phantoms captured games 2 and 3.
“It’s great to be able to play some meaningful hockey,” Luchanko said Friday after the Phantoms lost 6-4 at PPL Arena, squandering a chance to close out the series and move on. “Didn’t get to do that at the end of my (junior) season. Everyone’s been great here, really welcoming. It’s been a fun time so far.”
Friday, though, wasn’t all that enjoyable. The Phantoms dug themselves a 3-0 first-period hole, and although they scored twice early in the second to get back into it, the Bears quickly regained control.
After dispatching the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in the first round by winning the first two games of a three-game series, Luchanko and the Phantoms are finding out what’s made Hershey so formidable the past two seasons. That is, the games are much tighter-checking than they were in the first round, while the increased physicality has been evident, particularly when the whistle-happy referees seemed extra vigilant in an attempt to keep Friday’s game from getting out of hand. There were a pair of third-period fights and countless scrums after the whistle, as each team tried to set the tone for Sunday’s series finale.
Yes, this felt like a true playoff game in every sense.
“Yeah, it’s tough — they’re a really good team, tight-checking team,” Luchanko said. “It’s fun to be able to go up against them and kind of see what they bring.”
Competing in this sort of environment is what Flyers general manager Daniel Brière and his staff hoped would materialize when they reassigned guys like Luchanko and fellow prospect Alex Bump to the Phantoms as soon as they could. Luchanko joined on March 27, while Bump arrived on April 15, just days after Western Michigan won an NCAA National Championship.
More often than not, they’ve been on the same line, too. Luchanko and Bump connected for some highlight reel scores in the series against the Penguins, but playing the Bears has been a different story. Luchanko has one assist through four games in the series, while Bump is scoreless.
Cap Scratch Fever#RallyTheValley | #LVvsHER | #LVPhantoms pic.twitter.com/44X0vjIcpN
— Lehigh Valley Phantoms (@LVPhantoms) May 4, 2025
Still, the experience of going through it is valuable.
“Means the world for them, because that’s playoff hockey,” Phantoms coach Ian Laperrière said. “You don’t have much room out there, you have to do the best that you can with what you have. I think it’s only gold for those two kids for their careers down the road to experience that. The Wilkes-Barre series was a little bit more wide open. This one’s tighter. That’s real hockey.”
Advertisement
Luchanko, drafted 13th by the Flyers last year and surprisingly made the team out of camp, finished his OHL season with 56 points (21 goals, 35 assists) in 46 games. It was a decent total, considering that Guelph was among that league’s weaker teams, and won’t even turn 19 years old until Aug. 21.
The message from the Flyers after he was reassigned back to his junior club in October — following four scoreless games with the Flyers, including one in which he made a good account of himself against Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers — was, according to Luchanko, “to work on all areas of my game and more offensively, as well. That was my goal when I went back: was try to hold onto pucks more, things like that. Trying to work on my shot, as well.”
That’s an ongoing process, and will likely continue to be. Luchanko is still looking for his first goal with the Phantoms in 15 total regular-season and playoff games headed into Sunday, to go with his eight assists.
The 21-year-old Bump, on the other hand, already has three goals in eight Phantoms games, including two in the series against the Penguins, both set up by Luchanko. He’s shown flashes, too, of what was his best attribute in college — getting pucks on net.
Alex Bump to Jett Luchanko, and back to Alex Bump.
Can you say F-U-T-U-R-E, #Flyers fans? @InsideAHLHockey pic.twitter.com/qoLFzOe54Q
— Tony Androckitis* (@TonyAndrock) April 24, 2025
In the Phantoms’ 3-0 Game 1 loss to Hershey, Bump registered eight of Lehigh Valley’s 26 shots on goal. Even if none of them got past the goaltender, that was exactly what Laperriere wanted to see from the 2022 fifth-round pick that has blossomed into one of the Flyers’ top prospects.
“He’s a shooter,” Laperrière said. “He scored two goals against Wilkes-Barre, great shots. Against a team like Hershey, I want pucks on net because it creates some chaos. They’re man-on-man, so you want to create chaos. It’s no secret, put pucks on net — and he does that.”
Advertisement
Said Bump: “Shot first mentality over here, so, yeah, that’s usually what I’m thinking in the O-zone.”
Of course, things move a little more quickly in the AHL than they did in college. Bump is realizing against the Bears. He had just one shot on goal in Game 4 and none in Game 3.
“College, I felt like I could hang onto the puck a little bit longer,” Bump said. “I can’t out there anymore, which I’m definitely going to have to adjust to, because I loved hanging onto it in college,” he said. “Just quicker, faster thinking — make the plays quicker.”
Both Luchanko and Bump will be players to watch when the Flyers reconvene for training camp in September. Among the forwards on the Phantoms’ roster, the two of them may have the best chance of cracking the opening night lineup.
In the meantime, they’ll keep getting a taste of what pro hockey is like when the temperature is turned up.
“That’s why I’m here, so I’m not really walking in blind next year, and I have some experience under my belt,” Bump said.
Said Laperrière: “They can’t get frustrated. They have to battle through it. They will get hit because they’re good players. They have to learn from it and get better.”
(Photo of Jett Luchanko: Steph Chambers / Getty Images)
This news was originally published on this post .
About the author
Celtics leave identity crisis behind in Game 3 win over Knicks
NEW YORK — Jayson Tatum says he lives a great life. The Boston Celtics star knows he makes a lot of money, takes care of his family, and experiences things most people can only dream of.But with that comes a price. Expectations. Blame. Disappointment. A reality that others are constantly trying to distort because you either made their day or ruined it by living your life.AdvertisementIt’s why, after his losing turnover to end Game 2, Tatum threw himself under the bus. Everyone else was doing it, so he might as well join them. Why resist the tide when you can swim with the current?“You just understand what comes with being that guy,” Tatum said after the Celtics won Game 3 Saturday 115-93, bringing the Knicks’ series lead to 2-1. “I get a lot of praise, I get a lot of […]
Broncos’ RJ Harvey eager to make a needed ‘immediate impact’ on run game
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The jump cut was sharper than a cleaver. It left Jahdae Barron grabbing for air and searching for an answer.So the Denver Broncos’ first-round pick stood on the seat of an empty locker after Saturday’s rookie minicamp practice and hoisted himself above a crowd of media members gathered around rookie running back RJ Harvey. Barron turned on his phone’s camera, waited for an opening and lobbed a query of his own at his new teammate.Advertisement“Why did you juke Jahdae today with that move at practice?” Barron asked.When the Broncos selected Harvey with the 60th pick in last month’s draft, coach Sean Payton and general manager George Paton were asked to project Harvey’s potential impact as a pass catcher after being used relatively little in that role at Central Florida. They were questioned about the running back’s blocking […]
Hurricanes smother Capitals in commanding Game 3 shutout: Takeaways
RALEIGH, N.C. — The Carolina Hurricanes beat the Washington Capitals 4-0 on Saturday, taking back control of their Stanley Cup playoff second-round series behind an outstanding game from goalie Frederik Andersen and, finally, a flurry of offensive production.The Capitals, meanwhile, couldn’t sustain momentum after their best period of the series, and goaltender Logan Thompson wasn’t good enough to bail them out.AdvertisementAndersen saved all 21 shots he faced. Thompson made 24 saves on 28 shots.Here’s what I saw in Game 3.Svechnikov breaks throughAndrei Svechnikov had his share of chances in the first two-plus games; the crossbar he hit in the first period was his third of the series. All those near-misses were the first thing that came to mind when he opened the scoring off an offensive-zone faceoff win by Sebastian Aho.Svechnikov was asked the quantity-over-quality question ahead of Game 3, […]
Brett Baty cranks a three-run homer to bring Mets within striking distance of Cubs
Major League Baseball Video Details Brett Baty cranked a three-run homer that brought the New York Mets within striking distance of the Chicago Cubs. 2 MINS AGO・Major League Baseball・0:13
Where to watch Warriors vs. Timberwolves: TV channel, NBA playoffs live stream, Game 3 time, odds
Getty Images It's Game 3 for the Minnesota Timberwolves and Golden State Warriors on Saturday evening, and the series lead is on the line at the Chase Center. The Wolves and Warriors split the first two games of their best-of-seven second-round matchup, and now Anthony Edwards and Minnesota are trying to retake their home-court advantage. The Warriors will once again be without Stephen Curry, who strained his hamstring in Game 1 of this series, and the Wolves are favored on the road.Golden State struggled offensively in a Game 2 loss. The Warriors scored just 15 first-quarter points and Jimmy Butler was limited to 17 points on only 13 shots. Jonathan Kuminga had a team-high 18 points off the bench.For the Wolves, meanwhile, Julius Randle continued his strong postseason run with a game-high 24 points in Game 2, and Edwards scored […]
Should the New Orleans Saints sign Aaron Rodgers after Derek Carr’s shocking retirement?
With Derek Carr officially retiring after 11 NFL seasons, the New Orleans Saints are suddenly in quarterback chaos-and fans are asking the question on everyone's mind: Is it time to bring in Aaron Rodgers?Carr, plagued by a lingering shoulder injury, opted to walk away from the game rather than undergo surgery that would sideline him for the entire 2025 season. His exit leaves the Saints with a gaping hole at QB, no clear starter, and plenty of questions about the future of the franchise.That's where Rodgers comes in-at least in theory. The four-time MVP has been flirting with a 2025 return, and while the Steelers have long been considered favorites to land him, New Orleans might just throw its hat in the ring. But is that the right move?Rodgers is a short-term solution, Shough is a toss-upFor some, signing Rodgers […]
Related
Celtics leave identity crisis behind in Game 3 win over Knicks
NEW YORK — Jayson Tatum says he lives a great life. The Boston Celtics star knows he makes a lot of money, takes care of his family, and experiences things most people can only dream of.But with that comes a price. Expectations. Blame. Disappointment. A reality that others are constantly trying to distort because you either made their day or ruined it by living your life.AdvertisementIt’s why, after his losing turnover to end Game 2, Tatum threw himself under the bus. Everyone else was doing it, so he might as well join them. Why resist the tide when you can swim with the current?“You just understand what comes with being that guy,” Tatum said after the Celtics won Game 3 Saturday 115-93, bringing the Knicks’ series lead to 2-1. “I get a lot of praise, I get a lot of […]
Broncos’ RJ Harvey eager to make a needed ‘immediate impact’ on run game
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The jump cut was sharper than a cleaver. It left Jahdae Barron grabbing for air and searching for an answer.So the Denver Broncos’ first-round pick stood on the seat of an empty locker after Saturday’s rookie minicamp practice and hoisted himself above a crowd of media members gathered around rookie running back RJ Harvey. Barron turned on his phone’s camera, waited for an opening and lobbed a query of his own at his new teammate.Advertisement“Why did you juke Jahdae today with that move at practice?” Barron asked.When the Broncos selected Harvey with the 60th pick in last month’s draft, coach Sean Payton and general manager George Paton were asked to project Harvey’s potential impact as a pass catcher after being used relatively little in that role at Central Florida. They were questioned about the running back’s blocking […]
Hurricanes smother Capitals in commanding Game 3 shutout: Takeaways
RALEIGH, N.C. — The Carolina Hurricanes beat the Washington Capitals 4-0 on Saturday, taking back control of their Stanley Cup playoff second-round series behind an outstanding game from goalie Frederik Andersen and, finally, a flurry of offensive production.The Capitals, meanwhile, couldn’t sustain momentum after their best period of the series, and goaltender Logan Thompson wasn’t good enough to bail them out.AdvertisementAndersen saved all 21 shots he faced. Thompson made 24 saves on 28 shots.Here’s what I saw in Game 3.Svechnikov breaks throughAndrei Svechnikov had his share of chances in the first two-plus games; the crossbar he hit in the first period was his third of the series. All those near-misses were the first thing that came to mind when he opened the scoring off an offensive-zone faceoff win by Sebastian Aho.Svechnikov was asked the quantity-over-quality question ahead of Game 3, […]
Brett Baty cranks a three-run homer to bring Mets within striking distance of Cubs
Major League Baseball Video Details Brett Baty cranked a three-run homer that brought the New York Mets within striking distance of the Chicago Cubs. 2 MINS AGO・Major League Baseball・0:13
Where to watch Warriors vs. Timberwolves: TV channel, NBA playoffs live stream, Game 3 time, odds
Getty Images It's Game 3 for the Minnesota Timberwolves and Golden State Warriors on Saturday evening, and the series lead is on the line at the Chase Center. The Wolves and Warriors split the first two games of their best-of-seven second-round matchup, and now Anthony Edwards and Minnesota are trying to retake their home-court advantage. The Warriors will once again be without Stephen Curry, who strained his hamstring in Game 1 of this series, and the Wolves are favored on the road.Golden State struggled offensively in a Game 2 loss. The Warriors scored just 15 first-quarter points and Jimmy Butler was limited to 17 points on only 13 shots. Jonathan Kuminga had a team-high 18 points off the bench.For the Wolves, meanwhile, Julius Randle continued his strong postseason run with a game-high 24 points in Game 2, and Edwards scored […]
Should the New Orleans Saints sign Aaron Rodgers after Derek Carr’s shocking retirement?
With Derek Carr officially retiring after 11 NFL seasons, the New Orleans Saints are suddenly in quarterback chaos-and fans are asking the question on everyone's mind: Is it time to bring in Aaron Rodgers?Carr, plagued by a lingering shoulder injury, opted to walk away from the game rather than undergo surgery that would sideline him for the entire 2025 season. His exit leaves the Saints with a gaping hole at QB, no clear starter, and plenty of questions about the future of the franchise.That's where Rodgers comes in-at least in theory. The four-time MVP has been flirting with a 2025 return, and while the Steelers have long been considered favorites to land him, New Orleans might just throw its hat in the ring. But is that the right move?Rodgers is a short-term solution, Shough is a toss-upFor some, signing Rodgers […]
Be the first to leave a comment