Phantoms lose 4-2 at Hershey

April 5, 2003 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Adirondack Phantoms News Release


(HERSHEY, Pa., April 5, 2003) - Former Phantom Eric Bertrand recorded a goal and two assists to lead the Hershey Bears to a 4-2 victory over the Philadelphia Phantoms tonight at GIANT Center.

Mark Freer, also a former Phantom, and Brett Clark each added a goal and an assist as Hershey captured the season series, 8-3-0-1. Peter Budaj made 35 saves to avenge Friday's 2-1 overtime loss to the Phantoms in Philadelphia.

Andre Savage and Ian MacNeil each tallied third-period goals for Philadelphia, which has lost three of its last four and had a two-game road win streak halted. Neil Little stopped 20-of-24 shots to lose for just the third time in his last 11 starts. Little also eclipsed 20,000 career minutes in the AHL.

The Phantoms remained tied in points (79) with the Rochester Americans, who dropped a 2-1 decision in Syracuse tonight. Philadelphia owns the tiebreaker with Rochester, and will thus enter the final day of the regular season in the 10th and final spot in the Western Conference playoff race. The Phantoms host the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins at 5:05 p.m. on Sunday, while the Americans entertain the Hamilton Bulldogs.

Hershey scored twice during a four-minute span late in the first period to lead 2-0 at the intermission. Clark snapped the scoreless tie at 14:40 while Phantoms captain Mark Greig was serving a cross-checking minor.

During a flurry in front of the Philadelphia net, Bertrand took a couple of whacks at the puck before Clark took control of the rebound and placed it past Little. Freer also assisted on Clark's eighth goal of the season.

The Bears widened their lead to 2-0 with 1:16 left in the period on Brad Larsen's third of the year. Positioned by the near boards, Brett MacLean took a feed from Bryan Muir on the play and found Larsen streaking to the net. The left wing moved into the circle and beat Little stick side.

Hershey tacked on two more goals in the second period to move ahead 4-0. Freer gave the Bears a three-goal cushion at 11:09 when he followed in the rebound of a long slap shot by Michael Henrich. Bertrand also set up Freer's 20th goal.

Bertrand extended the lead to 4-0 with 3:37 to go in the period - just over a minute into an interference minor on Dennis Seidenberg. Clark took the initial shot from the point and Bertrand deflected it past Little from in front for his 19th of the year. Little was pulled in favor of Antero Niittymaki after the goal.

Savage put the Phantoms on the board 7:45 into the final period when he tipped in a centering pass by Greig. Ladislav Kohn also received an assist on Savage's 11th goal.

MacNeil cut it to 4-2 with 6:55 remaining by deflecting a John Slaney shot past Budaj on the power play. Ben Stafford also set up MacNeil's 10th of the year and 100th career AHL point.

The Phantoms end the regular season at home on Sunday at 5:05 p.m. against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.

Phantoms Notes: Greig has 15 points (4G, 11A) in his last 12 games ... Slaney has 10 points (4G, 6A) in his last eight games ... The Phantoms lost for the first time in five tries when playing on April 5 ... Philadelphia still leads the all-time series with Hershey, 37-32-8-5 ... Niittymaki stopped all seven shots he faced.



American Hockey League Stories from April 5, 2003


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