Phantoms Weekly

Published on January 27, 2003 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Adirondack Phantoms News Release


After winning a season-high three games in a row, Philadelphia dropped all four games last week for its longest losing streak of the year. On Wednesday, Utah made its first-ever visit to Philadelphia and posted a 2-0 victory. Jason Bacashihua made 28 saves to notch his second shutout, while Barrett Heisten and Jeff MacMillan each scored first-period goals for the Grizzlies. Neil Little stopped 24 shots for the Phantoms. Philadelphia traveled to Norfolk on Friday and suffered a 3-0 loss to the Admirals.

Craig Andersson registered 17 saves for his third shutout and former Phantom Matt Henderson totaled a goal and an assist for Norfolk. Antero Niittymaki turned aside 24 shots for Philadelphia, which was blanked in consecutive games for the second time in 2002-03. Mark Mowers and former Phantom Michel Picard each recorded a goal and an assist on Saturday as Grand Rapids posted a 3-1 win over Philadelphia in the teams' first-ever encounter. Peter White ended the Phantoms' scoreless drought at 165:24 with a third-period goal, while Little made 14 saves. Utah returned to town on Sunday and completed a four-game season sweep of the Phantoms with a 3-1 triumph. Greg Hawgood had a goal and two assists and former Phantom Corey Hirsch finished with 19 saves for the Grizzlies. White tallied a goal for the second straight game and Niittymaki stopped 25 shots for Philadelphia.

AHL SEASON-HIGH 14,762 ATTEND SATURDAY'S GAME

The Phantoms' first game of the season at the First Union Center drew an AHL season-high crowd of 14,762 on Saturday, Jan. 25. It was also Simon Gagne Bobblehead Doll Day, as the first 4,000 fans received a doll courtesy of Toyota. The Chicago Wolves had recorded the previous league season best crowd of 14,031 on Oct. 12. Philadelphia is 6-6-5 all-time during the regular season at the First Union Center with an average attendance of 13,707.

HOT GOALTENDING IN JANUARY

The Phantoms may only have a 7-6 record in January thus far, but the team's goaltending tandem of Neil Little and Antero Niittymaki has been stellar, combining for a 1.77 goals-against average. Little is 3-3 with a 1.51 GAA, while Niittymaki has posted a 4-3 mark and 1.98 GAA.

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.

PHANTOMS TRANSACTIONS

1/22 - ADD Mark Greig, reassigned by Flyers (NHL)
1/25 - DELETE Andre Savage, recalled by Flyers (NHL)
1/25 - ADD Ian Forbes, recalled from Trenton (ECHL)
1/26 - ADD Andre Savage, reassigned by Flyers (NHL)
1/26 - ADD Kam White, signed to a PTO
1/27 - ADD Jim Vandermeer, reassigned by Flyers (NHL)
1/27 - DELETE Matt Zultek, reassigned to Trenton (ECHL)

UPCOMING OPPONENTS

The Phantoms are 3-3 against the Hershey Bears as the teams begin the second half of their season series this Wednesday. On Nov. 29 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. A week later, Charlie Stephens and Eric Bertrand each had a goal and an assist as Hershey prevailed 3-1. The Phantoms got in the win column on Dec. 14 in Hershey as Peter White's goal with 4:16 remaining was the difference in a 2-1 decision.

Jim Vandermeer and White each had a goal and an assist in a 4-2 Phantoms victory six days later. Philadelphia made it three wins in a row on Dec. 27 when Neil Little made 23 saves in a 4-2 decision, but Bears goaltender Phil Sauve made 33 saves in a 3-0 Hershey win the next night. The Phantoms hold a 36-28-8-4 lead in the all-time series, including a 15-15-4-3 on the road). The teams play each other 12 times this season, with the next battle scheduled for Feb. 8 in Hershey.

Philadelphia seeks its first-ever win against the Chicago Wolves when the teams square off on Saturday. Last season, the Wolves won 5-1 in Philadelphia on Feb. 15 and 2-1 in Chicago on March 14 during their inaugural year in the AHL. Chicago went on to capture the Calder Cup title. Mark Greig and Pavel Brendl scored Philadelphia's goals vs. the Wolves last season, while Maxime Ouellet was in the net for each contest. The Phantoms will travel to Chicago on Saturday, March 15.

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS

Saturday, Feb. 1 is Discovery Kids Day. Ryan the Lion from the Discovery Channel will be at the game and be sure to check out the interactive beanbag toss at the Discovery table on the concourse. One hundred Discovery Store prizes will also be parachuted down from the rafters during the game, and don't miss the Academy of Natural Sciences' Outreach Program display on the concourse. The third annual Children's Miracle Network Helping Hands Auction will also take place, as fans can place their bids for autographed and framed handprints of Phantoms and Flyers players.

PHANTOMS AMONG THE LEAGUE LEADERS (thru 1/26)

* Mark Greig is tied for 11th in points (43), tied for sixth in power-play goals (9) and tied for fourth in game-winning goals (6)

* Peter White is tied for 11th in points (43), tied for first in power-play goals (11) and is fourth in shooting percentage (.214).

* Neil Little is third in goals-against average (2.18)

* John Slaney is seventh among defensemen in points (29) and tied for third in assists (25)

* Peter Vandermeer is second in major penalties (22) and third in penalty minutes (194)

* The Phantoms are third in penalty minutes per game (28.5)

* The Phantoms are second in shots allowed per game (26.91)

PHANTOMS NOTES

* Kirby Law played in his 200th game as a Phantom on Jan. 22 vs. Utah.

* The Phantoms established a franchise record for fewest shots allowed in a period with one during the third stanza on Jan. 24 at Norfolk.

* Philadelphia had its season-high four-game road win streak halted by Norfolk on Jan. 24.

* Mark Greig played in his 900th game as a pro on Jan. 24.

* Peter Vandermeer played in his 200th AHL game on Jan. 24.

* The Phantoms tied a season low for shots allowed in a game (17) on Jan. 25 vs. Grand Rapids. They also gave up 17 to Hershey on Dec. 6.

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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American Hockey League Stories from January 27, 2003


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