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Phantoms Weekly

March 3, 2003 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Adirondack Phantoms News Release


The Phantoms split a pair of weekend games to remain in the hunt for a Western Conference playoff spot. On Friday in Hamilton, Michael Ryder scored twice and Tyler Rennette had two assists in his AHL season debut as the Bulldogs posted a 4-2 win. Peter White and Peter Vandermeer each scored for the Phantoms, who ended the season series with the Bulldogs at 0-3-1.

Neil Little was pulled after allowing Hamilton's fourth goal 7:28 into the second period. Antero Niittymaki came on to stop all 13 shots he faced the rest of the way. Philadelphia ended its five-game winless streak with a 5-1 victory over the Manchester Monarchs on Sunday. Patrick Sharp scored twice, Kirby Law had a goal and an assist, and defensemen Kirk Furey and Brad Tiley each contributed two assists. Niittymaki notched the win by making 18 saves.

PHANTOMS TRANSACTIONS

2/27 - DELETE Guillaume Lefebvre, recalled by Flyers (NHL)

3/1 - ADD Guillaume Lefebvre, reassigned by Flyers (NHL)

3/3 - DELETE Guillaume Lefebvre, recalled by Flyers (NHL)

UPCOMING OPPONENTS

The Phantoms are 3-1 vs. the Crunch heading into Wednesday's match-up in Syracuse. In the first encounter on Oct. 30, John Slaney had a goal and an assist and Ben Stafford scored the game-winner with 2:14 left in the second period as Philadelphia posted a 3-2 road win. Syracuse evened the series at home on Nov. 16 as rookie Tim Jackman scored his first two career goals and Karl Goehring made 23 saves in a 3-1 decision, but Neil Little stopped all 22 shots he faced in a 2-0 Phantoms home victory on Jan. 5. Kirby Law then recorded a hat trick and Patrick Sharp added a goal and two assists as the Phantoms notched a 5-3 home win on Feb. 9. Philadelphia went 1-2-1 against the Crunch last season before getting swept by Syracuse in the best-of-five Western Conference Quarterfinals. Philadelphia is 16-7-7 all-time vs. Syracuse, including a 7-4-4 mark on the road. The teams' final encounter is scheduled for April 2 in Philadelphia.

The Phantoms and Worcester IceCats square off for the first time this season on Friday. Last year, each team won on its home ice, as Philadelphia opened the season with a 4-3 win over the IceCats on Oct. 5 before dropping a 6-3 decision on Jan. 16. The all-time series is even at 5-5-2-2, but Philadelphia holds a 4-3 lead when at home. The Phantoms will play at Worcester on March 22.

Philadelphia and Lowell conclude their two-game season series on Saturday. In their first meeting back on Jan. 10, Dan Peters, Joe Sacco and Mark Greig each recorded a goal and an assist during the first period and the Phantoms hung on for a 3-2 road victory. The teams last faced off during the 2000-01 season, when Lowell won 2-1 in overtime in Philadelphia on Oct. 13 and 5-2 at home on Jan. 24. Philadelphia fared much better in 1998-99, sweeping the two match-ups by a combined 8-2 margin. All told, the Phantoms hold a 3-1-0-1 lead in the all-time series.

Philadelphia is 2-4-0-1 against the Admirals heading into Sunday'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, but Craig Andersson helped put Norfolk back in the win column by making 17 saves in a 3-0 decision. Philadelphia is 11-11-1-2 all-time vs. Norfolk, going 5-4-1-2 on the road. Philadelphia plays the Admirals a total of 10 times this season, with the next meeting scheduled for March 26 in Norfolk.

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS

Scooby-Doo is set to appear at the Phantoms' game this Friday, March 7, courtesy of the Cartoon Network, to meet his fans and take pictures with those who bring cameras. Elmo from Sesame Street will also be there on Friday to take a Zamboni ride before the game and greet all his fans during the two intermissions. Saturday, March 8 is NASCAR Night, as a real showcar from Dover International Speedway will be on display by section 220 on the concourse. There will also be racing simulator games on the concourse, prize pack giveaways, and a chance to win two tickets to a race in June at Dover International Speedway.

PHANTOMS AMONG THE LEAGUE LEADERS (thru 3/2)

* Peter White is tied for 16th in points (55), second in power-play goals (14) and fifth in shooting percentage (.200)

* Mark Greig is for fifth in power-play goals (12)

* Neil Little is 13th in goals-against average (2.54)

* Antero Niittymaki is 17th in goals-against average (2.59)

* John Slaney is tied for eighth among defensemen in points (37), tied for sixth in assists (30) and first in game-tying goals (2)

* Peter Vandermeer is second in major penalties (27) and fourth in penalty minutes (237)

* The Phantoms are third in penalty minutes per game (26.3)

* The Phantoms are first in game misconducts (14)

* The Phantoms are fourth in shots allowed per game (27.49)

PHANTOMS NOTES

* David Harlock returned to the lineup on Sunday after missing 15 games due to a broken jaw

* Patrick Sharp recorded his first career multi-goal game on Sunday

* Kirk Furey had his first multi-point game of his AHL career on Sunday

* Jamie Wright tied an AHL season high with a five-game road goal-scoring streak from Feb. 11-22

* Philadelphia is 17-0-2 when scoring at least four goals in a game

* Sunday's win over Manchester was its most convincing since a 5-1 triumph over Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Jan. 3

* Peter White has eight points (3G, 5A) in his last eight 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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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.

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