Phantoms Weekly

Published on February 18, 2003 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Adirondack Phantoms News Release


Philadelphia went 2-1-1 for the second straight week. On Tuesday in Cleveland, the Phantoms overcame a two-goal deficit to tie the Barons 2-2.

Mark Greig and Jamie Wright each scored for Philadelphia, while Antero Niittymaki made 20 saves. The following night, Hugo Boisvert and Jason Williams each scored twice to lead Grand Rapids to a 5-2 victory. Andre Savage and Wright tallied goals for the Phantoms and Neil Little finished with 22 saves. Philadelphia was on its way to another loss in Rochester on Friday, trailing 4-1 with six minutes remaining, until Wright, Greig, Patrick Sharp and Ian MacNeil all scored within a span of 4:04 to rally the Phantoms to a 5-4 win. Niittymaki stopped 27 shots. On Saturday in Cincinnati, Little made 34 saves and White and Brad Tiley scored 19 seconds apart in the second period to give the Phantoms the lead for good in a 4-1 victory over the Mighty Ducks. Wright and Sharp added third-period insurance goals.

MONDAY'S GAME POSTPONED

Due to inclement weather in both cities, Monday's game in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton between the Phantoms and Penguins was postponed. The game has been rescheduled for Monday, March 17 at 7:05 p.m. in Wilkes-Barre.

SO FAR SO GOOD

The Phantoms are 4-2-2 so far during their brutal stretch of what was supposed to be 13 games in 19 days. (Due to Monday's postponed game in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, it is now 12 games) The team went 1-1-1 during a pair of three games in four-day situations before winning back-to-back road games over the weekend in Rochester and Cincinnati. The stretch concludes with four games in five days this week, beginning Wednesday vs. Portland.

SWEET COMEBACK

The Phantoms saved their sweetest comeback of the season for Valentine's Day in a 5-4 win at Rochester. After trailing 4-1 with six minutes remaining, Philadelphia set a club record with four goals in a span of 4:04, breaking the previous mark of 5:22, accomplished vs. Albany on Nov. 6, 1998. The team also tied a season high for most goals in a period (4) and won a game when trailing after two periods on the road for the first time since Nov. 27, 1999 at Hershey.

THE WRIGHT STUFF

Jamie Wright has certainly made his mark since joining the Phantoms on Feb. 1. The left wing has compiled 10 points in nine games and is working on a five-game goal-scoring streak. Linemate Mark Greig recorded the longest goal streak of the season by scoring in six straight games from Nov. 2-22.

PHANTOMS SWEEP ROCHESTER

Philadelphia completed a four-game season sweep of the Rochester Americans with Friday's 5-4 comeback win. The Phantoms are now 8-0-2 in their last 10 regular-season meetings with Rochester since their last loss on Feb. 9, 2001. Philadelphia has also eliminated the Amerks from the playoffs in each of the last two years.

PHANTOMS TRANSACTIONS

2/12 - DELETE Josh Harrold, released from PTO

UPCOMING OPPONENTS

Philadelphia and Portland wrap up their two-game season series on Wednesday. After not playing each other during the 2001-02 season, the teams met in Portland on New Year's Eve, with the Pirates coming away with a 1-0 victory. Former Phantom Maxime Ouellet made 34 saves to record the shutout, while Trent Whitfield's goal 64 seconds into the contest held up. Neil Little stopped 33 shots to suffer the loss. The Phantoms lead the all-time series 5-3-1, including a perfect 4-0 mark when playing at home.

Philadelphia looks to make it three straight wins over the Albany River Rats when the teams collide on Friday. The Phantoms snapped a five-game losing streak when playing in Albany on Jan. 11 as Guillaume Lefebvre scored the game-winning goal with 8:10 remaining in a 3-2 decision. Mark Greig added a goal and an assist and Antero Niittymaki finished with 26 saves to help the Phantoms win there for the first time since Dec. 30, 1999. Philadelphia trails 10-11-3-1 in the all-time series, but holds a 6-4-1-1 lead when playing at home.

The Phantoms are 3-5 against the Hershey Bears heading into this weekend's home-and-home series. 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. Bertrand registered a goal and two assists on Jan. 29 as Hershey posted a 4-1 home win, and the Bears made it three wins in a row on Feb. 8 thanks to 30 saves by Budaj in a 2-1 decision. The Phantoms hold a 36-30-8-4 lead in the all-time series, going 21-13-4-1 at home and 15-17-4-3 on the road. The teams play each other 12 times this season, with the last battles scheduled for April 4 in Philadelphia and April 5 in Hershey.

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS

It will be Snyder's of Hanover Switcharoo Night on Wednesday, Feb. 19, as all adults can buy tickets at $8 child prices. Fans will also receive free Snyder's products as they exit the First Union Spectrum. Flyers right wing Justin Williams will be signing autographs during the first intermission as a preview to his bobblehead doll night on March 2. The Cartoon Network's Courage the Cowardly Dog is set to appear at the Phantoms' game on Friday, Feb. 21 to greet fans and take pictures with those who bring cameras. Be sure to also check out the Go-Go GagdetMobile from Disney's "Inspector Gadget 2" movie on display outside the First Union Spectrum. Christian parody band ApologetiX will be performing after the game. In conjunction with the People-Pet Partnership, the Phantoms will be hosting Adopt-A-Pet Night on Sunday, Feb. 23, as adoptable dogs and cats will be on the concourse to meet prospective owners.

PHANTOMS AMONG THE LEAGUE LEADERS (thru 2/17)

* Peter White is tied for 11th in points (51), tied for first in power-play goals (13) and is fourth in shooting percentage (.206)
* Mark Greig is tied for 11th in points (51) and tied for sixth in game-winning goals (6)
* Neil Little is tied for ninth in goals-against average (2.44)
* John Slaney is eighth among defensemen in points (34) and fifth in assists (28)
* Peter Vandermeer is second in major penalties (25) and third in penalty minutes (221)
* The Phantoms are third in penalty minutes per game (26.8)
* The Phantoms are fourth in shots allowed per game (27.82)

PHANTOMS NOTES

* The Phantoms had a season-high 19 shots in a period during the third stanza on Feb. 11 at Cleveland.
* Andre Savage's goal on Feb. 12 at Grand Rapids was his first since Nov. 22 vs. Milwaukee.
* Ian Forbes notched his first career AHL assist on Feb. 12.
* Josh Harrold had an assist on Feb. 12 for his first career AHL point.
* Peter Vandermeer played in his 400th game as a pro on Feb. 14 at Rochester.
* Brad Tiley has 11 points (2G, 9A) in his last nine games.
* Philadelphia is 16-0-2 when scoring four or more goals in a game.

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 February 18, 2003


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