Phantoms Weekly
January 20, 2003 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Adirondack Phantoms News Release
The Phantoms went 3-0 last week to move a season-high three games over the .500 mark. On Wednesday, Mike Lephart recorded a goal and an assist and Antero Niittymaki made 25 saves in a 4-1 win at Rochester. Mike Siklenka, Guillaume Lefebvre and Mark Greig all added a goal as the Phantoms improved to 7-0-2 in their last nine games vs. the Americans. Two nights later, Andre Savage registered three assists and Niittymaki finished with 28 saves in a 4-3 triumph over the Cleveland Barons. Greig and John Slaney each contributed a goal and an assist for Philadelphia, which led 3-0 but had to hang on in the end. On Saturday, Ben Stafford netted the game-winning goal with five seconds remaining to lift the Phantoms to a 2-1 victory at Norfolk. Peter White scored the other goal and Neil Little made 27 saves to notch the win.
PHANTOMS ON WINNING STREAKS
After winning two games in a row on five occasions this season, Philadelphia finally recorded its third straight win on Jan. 18 at Norfolk. It is the team's longest winning streak since also capturing three in a row from Dec. 1-7 of last season. The Phantoms are also on a four-game road winning streak, their longest since a five-game run from Feb. 24-March 9, 2001.
PHANTOMS CONTRIBUTING ON THE FLYERS
Jim Vandermeer was called up by the Philadelphia Flyers for the second time last week and scored his first NHL goal on Jan. 16 vs. Montreal. After totaling seven points in six games with the Phantoms, Joe Sacco was signed for the remainder of the season by the Flyers last week and proceeded to tally the game-winner in the 4-1 win over the Canadiens. All told, 10 different people have played for the both the Phantoms and Flyers this year.
HOT GOALTENDING IN JANUARY
Philadelphia's goaltending tandem of Neil Little and Antero Niittymaki has gone 7-2 with a 1.43 goals-against average in January thus far. Little is 3-1 with a 1.00 GAA, while Niittymaki has posted a 4-1 mark and 1.77 GAA. Niittymaki is on a personal three-game win streak.
WELCOME BACK PETER
Former Admiral Peter White played his first game in Norfolk with his new team on Jan. 18 and scored the first goal of the game in a 2-1 Phantoms victory. White played in 24 games with the Admirals in 2001-02 and began this season with them before being reassigned to the Phantoms by the Chicago Blackhawks on Nov. 12.
SLANEY NAMED TO 2003 CANADIAN AHL ALL-STAR TEAM
Defenseman John Slaney was among the 21 skaters and three goaltenders named to the Canadian team roster for the 2003 Dodge AHL All-Star Classic, to be held Feb. 2-3 at the Cumberland County Civic Center in Portland, Maine. Slaney, who is making his fourth straight AHL All-Star Classic appearance, was also voted a starter via on-line fan balloting at www.theahl.com. The 30-year-old served as captain of the Canadian AHL All-Star team last year and earned game MVP honors in 2001. Slaney was presented his AHL All-Star jersey prior to Friday's 4-3 win over Cleveland by AHL Vice President of Sales & Marketing Chris Nikolis.
PHANTOMS TRANSACTIONS
1/15 - ADD Andre Savage, reassigned by Flyers (NHL)
1/15 - DELETE Jim Vandermeer, recalled by Flyers (NHL)
1/15 - DELETE Joe Sacco, released from PTO and signed by Flyers (NHL)
1/19 - DELETE Mark Greig, recalled by Flyers (NHL)
1/20 - ADD Matt Zultek, recalled from Trenton (ECHL)
UPCOMING OPPONENTS
The Utah Grizzlies will be making their first-ever visit to Philadelphia this week, playing Wednesday at the First Union Spectrum and Sunday in the First Union Center. In the teams' first two match-ups on Nov. 18 & 20 in Utah, the Phantoms suffered a pair of one-goal losses. Philadelphia overcame a 2-0 deficit thanks to second-period goals by Eric Betournay and Ben Stafford, but former Phantom Jim Montgomery netted his second of the game with 1:06 remaining to lift the Grizzlies to a 3-2 win. Two days later, Jon Sim set up Utah's game-tying goal with 2:46 left in regulation and scored the game-winner 3:01 into overtime in a 2-1 Grizzlies victory. Wade Skolney's first career goal was the lone score for Philadelphia. Philadelphia and Utah did not meet last season during the Grizzlies' first year in the AHL. Utah won two Turner Cup titles during its seven seasons (1994-2001) in the IHL.
Philadelphia is 2-3-0-1 against the Admirals heading into Friday's game in Norfolk. Andre Savage and Ian MacNeil each scored on Oct. 25, but it was Peter White who netted the game-winner for the Admirals in a 3-2 decision. On Nov. 1, Casey Hankinson totaled a goal and an assist to lead Norfolk to a 2-1 triumph. Mike Peluso starred in Norfolk's 3-2 home win on Nov. 7, assisting on his team's first two goals and netting the game-winner 1:56 into overtime. Philadelphia finally posted a 3-1 home victory over the Admirals on Nov. 8, as Mike Siklenka, Mark Greig and MacNeil all scored, but Steve Passmore stopped all 15 shots he faced in a 1-0 Admirals triumph on Jan. 12. After four one-goal losses, the Phantoms turned the tables on Jan. 18 as Ben Stafford's goal with five seconds remaining was the difference in a 2-1 victory. Philadelphia is 11-10-1-2 all-time vs. Norfolk, going 5-4-1-1 on the road. Philadelphia plays the Admirals a total of 10 times this season, with the next meeting scheduled for March 9 in Norfolk.
The Phantoms and Grand Rapids Griffins will square off for the first time ever on Saturday. Grand Rapids also joined the AHL last season and did not have Philadelphia on its inaugural schedule. The Griffins were a member of the IHL for five years (1996-2001) and advanced to the Turner Cup Finals in 1999-2000. Philadelphia will make its first journey to Grand Rapids on Wednesday, Feb. 12.
UPCOMING PROMOTIONS
It will be Snyder's of Hanover Switcheroo Night this Wednesday, Jan. 22, as all adults can buy tickets at $8 child prices. Fans will also receive free Snyder's products as they enter the First Union Spectrum. The first 4,000 fans in attendance on Saturday, Jan. 25 will receive a free Simon Gagne bobblehead doll, courtesy of Toyota. Sunday, Jan. 26 is Daredevil Night, as movie posters, prizes and tickets to a screening of the upcoming 20th Century Fox motion picture will be given out.
PHANTOMS AMONG THE LEAGUE LEADERS (thru 1/19)
* Mark Greig is tied for 11th in points (42) and tied for fourth in power-play goals (9) and game-winning goals (6)
* Peter White is tied for 13th in points (41) and tied for fourth in power-play goals (9)
* Neil Little is third in goals-against average (2.13)
* John Slaney is tied for sixth among defensemen in points (28) and third in assists (24)
* Peter Vandermeer is second in major penalties (19) and third in penalty minutes (167)
* The Phantoms are fourth in penalty minutes per game (26.7)
* The Phantoms are second in shots allowed per game (27.15)
PHANTOMS NOTES
* Mike Siklenka's goal on Jan. 15 at Rochester was his first since Nov. 8 vs. Norfolk.
* Philadelphia allowed a season-low two shots in a period during the third stanza on Jan. 15.
* Mike Lephart recorded his first multi-point game (1G, 1A) of the season on Jan. 15.
* Bruno St. Jacques had an assist on Jan. 17 vs. Cleveland after missing 11 games due to a shoulder injury.
* David Harlock's goal on Jan. 17 was his first since Nov. 15 vs. Bridgeport.
* Philadelphia had a season-low two shots in a period during the third stanza and tied a season low with 15 total shots on Jan. 17.
* The Phantoms were 0-for-23 on the power play prior to John Slaney's goal on Jan. 17.
* Philadelphia has held an opponent scoreless during the first period in four straight games.
* Andre Savage has five assists in three games since being reassigned from the Flyers on Jan. 15.
* Mark Greig has 12 points (5G, 7A) in his last seven games.
TICKET INFORMATION
Ticket 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.
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