The Lehigh Valley Phantoms are riding high after a commanding sweep of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in the opening round of the 2025 Calder Cup Playoffs. But now, the road to championship glory gets significantly tougher.
Awaiting them in the Atlantic Division Semifinals are the defending Calder Cup champions — the Hershey Bears — a team that has built a dynasty on depth, experience, and playoff poise. If the Phantoms want to keep their dream alive, they’ll have to conquer the very best the AHL has to offer.
Regular Season Rivalry: A Battle of Inches
The Phantoms and Bears know each other all too well after clashing ten times during the 2024–25 regular season. Hershey narrowly took the series with a 5-4-1-0 record, but the margins were razor-thin.
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Six of the ten matchups were decided by just one goal, and both sides showed the ability to grind out low-scoring affairs and win track-meet shootouts.
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Most notably, the Phantoms won the final two meetings of the regular season, tightening the screws defensively and snatching a 4-3 comeback victory on April 19, 2025 — a game that could serve as a turning point in their season.
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In their second-to-last regular season matchup, Lehigh Valley delivered a gritty 2-1 win, bolstered by a 30-save performance from goaltender Parker Gahagen.
The Phantoms may have been underdogs on paper, but recent history suggests the gap between these two clubs is narrowing fast. Momentum is firmly on Lehigh Valley’s side heading into this playoff showdown.
Key Phantoms to Watch
If the Phantoms are going to pull off the upset, they’ll need standout performances from a handful of players who have already made their presence felt this postseason.
Anthony Richard
The veteran winger’s explosive speed and scoring touch were on full display against the Penguins, where he posted 2 goals and 1 assist in the two-game sweep. Richard’s ability to create offense off the rush will be critical against Hershey’s structured defensive system.
Jacob Gaucher
Gaucher continues to cement his reputation as a reliable two-way center. He recorded 1 goal and 1 assist in Round One while excelling in faceoffs and penalty-killing duties. His versatility will be invaluable in tight-checking playoff games.
Jett Luchanko
The 18-year-old phenom didn’t look out of place in his first taste of professional playoff hockey, registering 2 assistswhile showing off his elite skating and decision-making. Luchanko’s ability to drive play at both ends of the ice gives the Phantoms an extra layer of dynamism.
Parker Gahagen
The Phantoms’ netminder was a rock in the opening round, stopping 60 of 64 shots across two games. With a calm, composed presence in the crease, Gahagen’s continued excellence will be crucial against Hershey’s relentless attack.
Alex Bump
One of the most exciting young forwards in the organization, Bump made an immediate impact in the postseason with 2 goals in the series opener against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. His lethal shot and nose for the net could be an X-factor in the semifinals. Series Schedule
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Game 1: April 30 @ Hershey
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Game 2: May 2 @ Hershey
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Game 3: May 4 @ Lehigh Valley
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Game 4 (if necessary): May 9 @ Lehigh Valley
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Game 5 (if necessary): May 11 @ Hershey
The best-of-five format leaves little room for error. Every shift, every save, and every goal will carry massive weight.
The Verdict
On paper, the Bears remain the favorites. They have championship pedigree, home-ice advantage, and a deep roster built for playoff hockey. But the Phantoms are surging at just the right time, armed with a potent blend of youthful energy and veteran savvy.
If they can carry over the momentum from their sweep of the Penguins — and if their key players continue to elevate their games — Lehigh Valley could very well turn the Calder playoffs on its head.
The rivalry is real. The stakes are massive.
Get ready — this series could be an instant Calder Cup classic.
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