Phantoms Weekly
Published on October 7, 2002 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Adirondack Phantoms News Release
The Phantoms posted a 2-1-1 record in preseason play for the second year in a row. Philadelphia opened its exhibition schedule on Sept. 21 with a 5-4 loss to the Albany River Rats. Rookie Patrick Sharp scored twice for the Phantoms, while Jeff Smith and Ben Stafford also tallied goals. The Phantoms exacted some revenge on Sept. 26 as defenseman David Harlock netted a pair of goals in a 4-0 victory over the River Rats. Smith and Peter Vandermeer each added a goal, while goaltenders Antero Niittymaki and Dave Stathos combined to stop all 16 shots they faced.
On Sept. 29, Niittymaki made 25 saves to lead Philadelphia to a 3-0 triumph against the Norfolk Admirals. Mike Siklenka, Jack Baker and Ian Forbes all scored in the game, while defenseman Brad Tiley contributed two assists. Philadelphia closed the preseason with a 3-3 tie at Bridgeport on Sunday. Defenseman John Slaney totaled a goal and two assists, while Mike Lephart and Eric Betournay also scored.
PHANTOMS GOALTENDERS POST IMPRESSIVE SCORELESS STREAK
Philadelphia goaltenders Antero Niittymaki, Dave Stathos and Neil Little combined on a scoreless streak of 148 minutes and 44 seconds during preseason play. After Albany's Michael Rupp scored 1:31 into the third period on Sept. 21, the trio did not allow another goal until the 10:15 mark of the first period on Oct. 6. In between were shutouts vs. Albany on Sept. 26 and Norfolk on Sept. 29.
Niittymaki, a 1998 sixth-round draft pick by the Flyers, was particularly impressive during the preseason. The native of Finland stopped all 54 shots he faced over Philadelphia's final three exhibition games, including going the distance and making 25 saves in the 3-0 win over Norfolk.
GREIG PREPARING FOR RECORD SEASON
Right wing Mark Greig needs 64 points, 13 goals, nine power-play goals, 52 assists and 25 games played to overtake Peter White as the Phantoms' all-time leader in each category. Greig already tops the team in all-time shots on goal and is tied with Mike Maneluk for first in shorthanded goals.
PHANTOMS TRANSACTIONS
* 10/5 - DELETE Jeff Smith & Matt Zultek, assigned to Trenton (ECHL)
* 10/4 - ADD Mark Greig, Mike Siklenka, John Slaney, Andre Savage, Guillaume Lefebvre & Bruno St. Jacques, assigned from Flyers (NHL)
UPCOMING OPPONENT
The Phantoms went 4-0-2 against the Rochester Americans during the regular season last year, going 2-0-1 in each city. The teams met up again in the best-of-three Western Conference Qualifying Round, with Philadelphia sweeping the series in two games. Rochester holds a 13-15-4 lead in the all-time regular-season series, but Philadelphia is 7-7-2 when hosting the Americans. The Phantoms and Amerks have four games scheduled against each other in 2002-03, with the next match-up set for Nov. 27 in Philadelphia.
UPCOMING PROMOTIONS
Everyone in attendance on Opening Night (Saturday, Oct. 12) will receive a 2002-03 Phantoms magnetic schedule, courtesy of Toyota. Prior to the game, don't miss the Phantoms Block Party outside the First Union Spectrum, complete with team inflatables, booths, clowns and WMGK FM. The Bob Lowery Band will be performing in Bullies before and after the game, and be sure to check out the entertainers and sign-making tables on the concourse.
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.
PHANTOMS NOTES
* Philadelphia is 5-1 all-time in season openers and 4-1-1 in home openers.
* This is only the third time the Phantoms have opened their season at home. They won both previous games.
* Philadelphia's longest homestand of the 2002-03 season is three games (three times). The longest road trip is five games (Feb. 11-17).
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 .
American Hockey League Stories from October 7, 2002
- Monarchs Add Three, Demote One - Manchester Monarchs
- Pahlsson, York Assigned to Cincinnati - Cincinnati RailRaiders
- Henderson and Morrisonn assigned to Providence - Providence Bruins
- ''The Sound Tigers Report'' Debuts Tomorrow - Bridgeport Islanders
- Amerks Make Player Moves - Rochester Americans
- Phantoms Weekly - Adirondack Phantoms
- Crunch Assign Wingfield and Neilson To Elmira - Syracuse Crunch
- Rats Launch new site re-design - Albany River Rats
- Penguins Reduce Training Camp Roster by Seven - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
- Flames Release Three - Saint John Flames
- 2002-03 AHL Season Preview - AHL
- Sunday's AHL preseason recaps - AHL
- Bridgeport Sound Tigers Release Five Players - Bridgeport Islanders
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.
