Phantoms Fall 5-4 in Preseason Opener
September 23, 2002 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Adirondack Phantoms News Release
After a week of practices and scrimmages, the Phantoms began their preseason schedule on Saturday with a 5-4 loss to the Albany River Rats at the Sovereign Bank Flyers Skate Zone in Voorhees, N.J. After falling behind 2-0, Philadelphia evened the score with 7:30 left in the second period on goals by Ben Stafford and Jeff Smith. But Michael Rupp gave Albany the lead for good with 4:07 to go and he and Adrian Foster scored 59 seconds apart early in the third stanza to widen the gap to 5-2. Philadelphia rallied thanks to a pair of goals by rookie Patrick Sharp, but came up short in the end.
"I think we did a lot of good things and there are a lot of areas where we need to improve," commented Phantoms head coach John Stevens. "The part I was most pleased about was when we got down 5-2, we never quit. We just kept coming and kept coming."
Finnish goaltender Antero Niittymaki started for the Phantoms and stopped 15-of-18 shots over the first two periods. Dave Stathos made four saves during the third period. Scott Clemmensen went the distance in the nets for the River Rats, making 28 saves.
Philadelphia and Albany will meet again at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday at the Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford, N.J. The teams' two parent clubs - the Philadelphia Flyers and New Jersey Devils - will also play that day at 7:00 p.m. Last season, Philadelphia and Albany also played a pair of exhibition games against each other, with the Phantoms winning 5-1 on Sept. 20 and 3-1 on Sept. 22.
NEXT HOME PRESEASON GAME SET FOR SUNDAY
The Phantoms will play their second and final home preseason game this Sunday, Sept. 29 at 4:30 p.m., when the Norfolk Admirals come to town. The game will be played at the Polonia Bank Flyers Skate Zone in Northeast Philadelphia.
Preseason home games are open to the public and cost $10 per person, with a portion of the proceeds going to youth hockey programs. Tickets can be purchased at the Skate Zone, or by calling 215-618-0050.
NEW PHANTOMSMOBILE OUT ON THE STREETS
Keep an eye out for the new Phantomsmobile as it makes its way around town. Courtesy of the Philadelphia Area Dodge Dealers, the Phantoms will be using a 2003 Dodge Durango for all their appearances this season. The Durango also has a new design this year thanks to Exact Image of Philadelphia.
LEPHART AT BOSCOV'S
Mike Lephart will be reading Disney stories to kids at 3:00 p.m. this Saturday, Sept. 28 at Boscov's in the Echelon Mall in Voorhees, N.J. The event is in advance of the upcoming Disney on Ice shows at the First Union Center from Oct. 9-13. Lephart will also be signing autographs and kids can take part in the coloring station at the store. A special 2-for-1 offer on select Disney on Ice shows will also be available at Boscov's on Saturday.
PHANTOMS PLAYERS AT SKATE ZONE ANNIVERSARY PARTIES
Phantoms players will be signing autographs and meeting the public at three upcoming Flyers Skate Zone anniversary parties. The first event is taking place throughout the afternoon this Saturday, Sept. 28 at the Polonia Bank Flyers Skate Zone in Northeast Philadelphia. Sovereign Bank Flyers Skate Zone in Voorhees, N.J. will hold its party on Sunday, Oct. 20, while the Sovereign Bank Flyers Skate Zone in Pennsauken, N.J. party is set for Sunday, Nov. 3. The anniversary parties will also include games, prizes, face painting, public skating and much more.
CN8 TELEVISING 11 PHANTOMS GAMES THIS SEASON
The Phantoms are proud to announce that CN8, The Comcast Network, will be televising 11 games during the 2002-03 season. CN8, a regional news, sports and entertainment network, reaches four million cable homes in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland. CN8's 11-game package begins on Friday, Oct. 18 at 7:00 p.m., when the Phantoms host the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins at the First Union Spectrum. The CN8 broadcast team will once again feature Tim Saunders, Orest Kindrachuk and Mick Moninghoff.
P. VANDERMEER & PETERS PARTICIPATE IN RADIOTHON
Following practice on Sept. 20, Peter Vandermeer and Dan Peters ventured out to the Franklin Mills Mall to help out at the Oldies 98.1 Loves Our Kids Radiothon, benefiting the Children's Miracle Network. The duo manned the phones, as people called in their donations during the four-day event.
TICKET INFORMATION
Tickets prices for Phantoms home games are $18, $17 and $13 for adults, and $8 for children 14 and under. The team also offers group rates, Game Plans, attractive premium area seating, birthday party and youth hockey packages, and the popular Family Value Pack. Please call the Phantoms sales office at 215-465-4522 for information, or log on to www.phantomshockey.com.
• Discuss this story on the American Hockey League message board...
American Hockey League Stories from September 23, 2002
- Mighty Ducks Assigned 14 Players by Anaheim - Cincinnati RailRaiders
- L.A. Kings Announce First Round of Assignments to Manchester - Manchester Monarchs
- Worcester Assigned Goaltender - Worcester IceCats
- Checkers Sign Two Veteran Forwards - Charlotte Checkers
- Five more players sent to Moose Training Camp - Manitoba Moose
- Phantoms Fall 5-4 in Preseason Opener - Adirondack Phantoms
- D-Man Keith McCambridge Added to Aeros Roster - Houston Aeros
- Falcons add preseason game - Springfield Falcons
- Flames Add Three to Training Camp Roster - Saint John Flames
- Admirals Camp Starts Tomorrow - Norfolk Admirals
- Local guest coaches at start of Moose training camp - Manitoba Moose
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
