Phantoms lose 4-2 at Hamilton

Published on February 28, 2003 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Adirondack Phantoms News Release


(HAMILTON, Ont., Feb. 28, 2003) - Michael Ryder scored twice and Tyler Rennette had two assists in his AHL season debut as the Hamilton Bulldogs defeated the Philadelphia Phantoms, 4-2, tonight at the Copps Coliseum.

Eric Fichaud finished with 19 saves for Hamilton, which clinched its first-ever Canadian Division title with the win. The AHL-leading Bulldogs have won three in a row at home and ended a rare two-game winless streak.

Peter White and Peter Vandermeer each scored for the Phantoms, who had their winless streak extended to five games (0-3-1-1). Philadelphia ended the season series with the Bulldogs at 0-3-1 and has dropped its last three visits to Hamilton.

The Phantoms took a 1-0 lead 12:35 into the game during their lone power play of the opening period. Jamie Wright and Brad Tiley worked the puck to White, who was stationed at the edge of the crease. White attempted a pass through the crease to Mark Greig, but the puck deflected off a Hamilton defenseman's skate and in for his 22nd goal of the year and 16th as a Phantom.

Hamilton responded with a pair of goals over a 49-second span to assume a 2-1 advantage. On the power play, Jason Ward evened the score at 15:33 with a high line drive. Mariusz Czerkawski and Marc-Andre Bergeron assisted on Ward's 31st of the season. Mike Bishai then gave the Bulldogs the lead for good at 16:22, as Sylvain Blouin and Jozef Balej set up his fifth of the year.

Ryder extended the lead to 3-1 with 1.6 seconds left in the first period by a placing shot through Neil Little's five-hole. Tony Salmelainen and Rennette received assists on the play. Ryder's 29th of the year then made it a three-goal game 7:28 into the second period, with Rennette also assisting on the marker. Rennette was called up earlier in the day from Peoria of the ECHL.

Little was pulled after Ryder's second goal in favor of Antero Niittymaki, who proceeded to stop all 15 shots he faced the rest of the way. Little also made 15 saves in losing for the second straight game.

Philadelphia narrowed the deficit to 4-2 with 2.1 seconds left in the second period on Vandermeer's third goal of the year. Dan Peters and Patrick Sharp notched assists on the final goal of the game.

The Phantoms return home to face the Manchester Monarchs on Sunday at 6:05 p.m. The first 4,000 fans in attendance will receive a Justin Williams bobblehead doll, courtesy of the Tri-State Toyota Dealers. Philadelphia then plays at Syracuse on Wednesday before hosting the Worcester IceCats next Friday and the Lowell Lock Monsters on Saturday, March 8.

Phantoms Notes: Philadelphia trails the all-time series, 7-9-3-1 ... Wright had his five-game road goal-scoring streak snapped. The streak tied for the longest in the AHL this season ... White has seven points (3G, 4A) in his last seven games ... Philadelphia is 0-2-1 all-time on Feb. 28 ... The Phantoms were outshot, 34-21 ... The Phantoms came up empty on their last 16 power-play attempts prior to White's goal.

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American Hockey League Stories from February 28, 2003


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