Phantoms Weekly

December 2, 2002 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Adirondack Phantoms News Release


The Phantoms opened last week in positive fashion by defeating the Rochester Americans, 4-2, on Wednesday. Antero Niittymaki made 22 saves and Mark Greig had a goal and an assist as Philadelphia extended its home winning streak to three games. The streak came to a halt two days later when the Hershey Bears made their first visit to the First Union Spectrum and came away with a 2-0 victory. Rookie Peter Budaj stopped all 31 shots he faced and Brian Willsie scored twice to help the Bears hand the Phantoms their first shutout of the season. Niittymaki made 23 saves in the loss. On Saturday, Philadelphia suffered a 4-1 loss during its first-ever game against the Manchester Monarchs. Chris Schmidt netted two goals and Cristobal Huet finished with 40 saves for the Monarchs. Kirby Law scored the Phantoms' lone goal.

SHARP OUT 8-12 WEEKS WITH FRACTURED ANKLE

A 2-0 loss to Hershey was not the only bad thing that happened to the Phantoms last Friday. Rookie center Patrick Sharp suffered a fractured distal fibula in his left ankle at the 10:36 mark of the second period and will be sidelined for 8-12 weeks. The 20-year-old had compiled four goals and four assists over 20 games as a Phantom, while also appearing in two games with the Flyers.

GREIG POINT STREAK ENDS AT 10 GAMES

Right wing Mark Greig's point streak ended at 10 games on Nov. 29 in Philadelphia's 2-0 loss to Hershey. Greig began the streak on Oct. 30 at Syracuse and totaled eight goals and nine assists during the 10 games. Included in the run was an AHL season-best six-game goal-scoring streak from Nov. 2-22. The point streak is tied for the second longest in the AHL this season, one game shy of Hamilton's Jason Ward. Greig's streak was the longest by a Phantom since Derek Plante's (15 games) during the 2000-01 season.

PHANTOMS ON FRANCHISE-WORST ROAD LOSING STREAK

Philadelphia's current seven-game road losing streak is the longest in club history, eclipsing a four-game skid the team endured from Oct. 8-19, 1999. The Phantoms are 1-6-1-2 away from home this season, with their lone win taking place on Oct. 30 at Syracuse.

PHANTOMS TRANSACTIONS

11/26 - DELETE Peter White, recalled by Chicago Blackhawks (NHL)
11/26 - DELETE Guillaume Lefebvre, recalled by Flyers (NHL)
11/28 - DELETE Bruno St. Jacques, recalled by Flyers (NHL)

UPCOMING OPPONENTS

The Phantoms host the Hershey Bears again this Friday. Last Friday in the teams' first encounter of the season, Brian Willsie scored twice and rookie Peter Budaj stopped all 31 shots he faced in a 2-0 Bears victory. Antero Niittymaki made 23 saves for the Phantoms, who have lost five straight games to Hershey. The Phantoms went 4-3-3-2 against the Bears last season, including a 2-2-2 mark at home. Mark Greig led Philly with eight points (3G, 5A) in 10 games vs. Hershey, while Neil Little went 0-2-2-2 with a 1.87 GAA. The Phantoms hold a 33-26-8-4 lead in the all-time series, including a 19-12-4-1 mark at home. The teams play each other 12 times this season, including five times in December.

Philadelphia and Bridgeport will square off for the third time this Saturday. Four different Phantoms scored and Antero Niittymaki needed to make just 17 saves as Philadelphia posted a 4-1 home win over the Sound Tigers on Nov. 15. Bridgeport got revenge on its own ice eight days later as Jeff Hamilton's goal 5:17 into the third period was the difference in a 2-1 decision. Niittymaki made 28 saves in defeat. The Phantoms and Sound Tigers split four match-ups during Bridgeport's inaugural season last year, with each team going 1-1 in its own building. The teams will meet for the final time on Jan. 8 in Philadelphia.

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS

Spider-Man is appearing at the Phantoms' game on Friday, Dec. 6. The famed superhero will be signing autographs and taking pictures with fans who bring their own cameras. Two DVD players and plenty of Spider-Man prizes will be given away throughout the game. Friday is also Greek Night, as area fraternities and sororities can purchase tickets for just $10 to use as a fund-raiser or an exciting night out.

PHANTOMS AMONG THE LEAGUE LEADERS

* Mark Greig is tied for 14th in points (23), tied for fifth in game-winning goals and tied for fifth in power-play goals (6)

* Peter White is tied for 17th in points (22) and tied for fifth in power-play goals (6)

* Ian MacNeil is tied for fourth in shorthanded goals (2)

* John Slaney is tied for fifth among defensemen in points (17) and tied for third in assists (15)

* The Phantoms are fourth in penalty minutes per game (27.0)

* The Phantoms are first in shots allowed per game (26.50)

PHANTOMS NOTES

* Jack Baker recorded his first AHL goal on Wednesday vs. Rochester.

* Philadelphia had a season-high 41 shots on goal on Saturday at Manchester. The previous high was 38, accomplished on Oct. 18 vs. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and Nov. 20 at Utah.

* Eric Betournay netted Philadelphia's first empty-net goal of the year on Wednesday vs. Rochester. The Phantoms have allowed three.

* The Phantoms are 6-0-2 in their last eight regular-season meetings with Rochester. Philadelphia also swept the Americans in the best-of-three Western Conference Qualifying Round last season.

* Antero Niittymaki has started each of the last five games as Neil Little recuperates a sore knee.

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 December 2, 2002


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