This time last year, Cole Bardreau wasn't even playing professional hockey.

The 22-year old was in his senior season at Cornell, only dreaming of what might lie ahead for him on the ice. Meanwhile, Colin McDonald, 31, spent much of last year with the Islanders and is looking for a path back to the NHL. Both players have played big roles in helping the Lehigh Valley Phantoms to a season-high five-game winning streak.The Phantoms swept a home-and-home weekend series with division leading Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, with McDonald and Bardreau leading the way. McDonald tallied three goals and two assists in the Saturday matchup, completing a week where he added 10 points to his scoring totals. The hat trick was his second of the week.In the series opener, it was Bardreau doing the work as he scored twice, including the game-winner in overtime, to beat the Penguins 4-3. Bardreau's week consisted of five goals and an assist for Lehigh Valley, continuing his hot offensive streak in his first professional season.McDonald capped the last homestand with his first five-point night, and the first in Lehigh Valley franchise history, with a hat trick against Binghamton, while McDonald added a goal and an assist in the 6-3 win.McDonald also scored twice for the Phantoms in their win at Hershey last Monday.The hot streaks by McDonald and Bardreau have helped lead the team over the .500 mark at 22-21-2-1 on the season, bringing them to within just two points of the final playoff spot in the Atlantic Division. The five-game streak offsets a five-game losing skid just before the outburst that has seen the Phantoms score 25 goals in five games, compared to just 10 during the previous five games.In the home game against the Penguins, Bardreau showed off a change in his approach that has helped him find more opportunities to score. The young player has become more tenacious on the ice, and is looking to take advantage of any opportunity that comes his way.With time winding down in overtime, Bardreau dropped a pass to teammate Nick Cousins, who fired a shot at goalie Tristan Jarry. The shot was bobbled by Jarry, and Bardreau charged in to knock the puck out of the air and into the net for the game-winner."I was honestly hoping that Cuz [Cousins] buried his shot, so I wouldn't have to worry about it," admitted Bardreau. "I've been trying to get inside more rather than just playing on the perimeter and collecting the garbage goals. A few weeks ago, I probably would have given up on that one and headed for the bench, but now, I'm trying to be more aggressive and it paid off."PHANTOM FACTS: The Atlantic Division lost to the Central Division 4-0 in the Championship of the AHL All-Star Challenge Monday night. Chicago Wolves forward Pat Cannone scored three times on the night for the Central Division club ... The Phantoms return from the break with road games at Bridgeport and Hershey, before opening a five-game homestand on Feb. 10 ... Nick Cousins is now eighth in the conference in scoring ... Providence and Bridgeport are tied for the final playoff spot in the Atlantic Division with 49 points. Hartford is next with 48, followed by Lehigh Valley at 47.