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Lake Erie couldn't do it two nights in a row.  On Friday, the Monsters led Norfolk in the third period, let the Admirals tie it up, but then pulled out a win.  On Saturday, Lake Erie led Philadelphia in the third, let the Phantoms tie it up, but then gave up the game-winning goal with 19 seconds left, losing 3-2.  The game wrapped up a four-game road trip for the Monsters.  The team will now be off until Friday for the AHL All-Star Break.

The Monsters have been drastically outshot, 125-67, the past three games, although they were able to win two of those.  Lake Erie reversed that trend on Saturday, outshooting the Phantoms, 32-23, but unfortunately for them, still lost the game.

The game was also a reversal from Friday's in the penalty box.  After racking up a season high 64 penalty minutes against the Admirals the night before, Lake Erie only had four penalty minutes against the Phantoms on Saturday.

Philadelphia opened the scoring right away, as David Laliberte found the back of the net just 25 seconds into the game.  He was assisted by Jared Ross and Patrick Maroon.

The scoreboard would not change for more than a full period.  The opening frame came and went with the score remaining 1-0 in favor of the home team.

Bryan Marshall evened it up for the Monsters with his goal at the 5:34 mark of the second frame.  Justin Bowers and Wes O'Neill assisted on the score. It was Bowers' first assist with Lake Erie, having joined the team on January 10th.

Shortly thereafter, Phil Dupuis gave the Monsters the 2-1 lead.  Dupuis' goal at 12:03 of the second period was his fourth point (2G, 2A) in three games since returning from parent club Colorado. Chris Durno and Nigel Williams were credited with the helpers.  Durno leads the team in assists with 16, and Williams has now recorded assists in the last two games for Lake Erie.

Again almost a full 20 minutes would pass without a score, all the while the Monsters maintaining their one-goal lead.  That was until Maroon tied it up for the Phantoms on his goal at 10:30 of the third period. Rob Sirianni and Jonathan Matsumoto assisted.

Neither team could gain the advantage the rest of the period, as it seemed overtime was inevitable.  But then Matsumoto struck again, this time scoring for himself, and giving Philadelphia the 3-2 win with only 19 seconds left in the game.  Sirianni and Maroon assisted on the game winner.

Jason Bacashihua had 20 saves on the 23 shots he faced in goal for Lake Erie.  Across the ice, Scott Munroe posted 30 saves on 32 shots for the Phantoms. 

The game was the second and last between the two teams, who split their season series.

The Monsters will return to action on Friday in Syracuse.