Niittymaki named Toyota Phantoms Player of the Month for January

February 2, 2004 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Adirondack Phantoms News Release


(PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 2, 2004) - The Philadelphia Phantoms of the American Hockey League today announced that goaltender Antero Niittymaki has been named the Toyota Phantoms Player of the Month for January. Niittymaki, who went 7-1-1 with a 1.64 goals-against average last month, will receive his award prior to Philadelphia's game against the Albany River Rats this Friday, Feb. 6 at 7:05 p.m.

Niittymaki allowed just 15 goals in nine games for a .933 save percentage, and recorded two of his team-high four shutouts on the season. After suffering a hard-luck 3-1 loss vs. Worcester on Jan. 2, the 23-year-old won six straight starts before posting a tie and a win last weekend. During a three-game stretch from Jan. 16-23, Niittymaki went 3-0 with a 0.33 GAA, including shutouts against division rivals Hershey and Bridgeport.

"Antero put together a pretty impressive month," said Phantoms head coach John Stevens. "Certainly the whole team played well, but he was a big part of it. Antero is starting to exhibit the consistency that we expect of him. He is one of the better young goalies in the entire league."

A native of Turku, Finland, Niittymaki is 14-7-5 in 29 appearances this season with four shutouts and a 2.11 GAA. He ranks 12th in the AHL in GAA, tied for eighth in wins and tied for fifth in shutouts.

The Toyota Phantoms Player of the Month is new during the 2003-04 season, as a Phantoms player will be honored each month through the end of the regular season for his contributions on the ice. Mark Murphy received the award for the month of October, Kirby Law won in November and Randy Jones was the honoree in December.

Tickets to all Phantoms home games are $19, $18 and $14 for adults, and $8 for all children 14 and under, and are available now at the Wachovia Center box office and all Ticketmaster locations throughout the Delaware Valley. Tickets can also be charged by phone by calling (215) 336-2000, (856) 338-9000 or (302) 984-2000 or online at www.ticketmaster.com. Contact the Phantoms office at 215-465-4522 or log on to www.phantomshockey.com for information on group discounts, birthday packages and the Family Four Pack.



American Hockey League Stories from February 2, 2004


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