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Phantoms Weekly

March 10, 2003 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Adirondack Phantoms News Release


The Phantoms won only one of four games last week, but did pick up four standings points to remain in the thick of the Western Conference playoff race. On Wednesday, Pascal Leclaire stopped 29-of-30 shots and Kent McDonell and Andrej Nedorost each collected two assists to lead the Syracuse Crunch to a 3-1 home win over the Phantoms. Peter White scored the lone goal and Antero Niittymaki made 18 saves for Philadelphia. Two days later, Christian Backman's goal with 1:58 left in overtime was the difference as the visiting Worcester IceCats posted a 2-1 victory. Reinhard Divis made 28 saves in his IceCats season debut, while Justin Papineau's goal with 9:53 left in regulation forced overtime. Patrick Sharp scored for Philadelphia and Neil Little finished with 22 saves. On Saturday, Kirby Law and Mark Greig gave the Phantoms a 2-0 lead before Lowell tallied a pair of third-period goals and went on to triumph 3-2 thanks to Brad DeFauw's overtime goal. Patrick DesRochers stopped 28 shots for the Lock Monsters, while Niittymaki made 17 saves. Philadelphia responded from the two overtime setbacks to record a 2-0 road win over the Norfolk Admirals on Sunday. Little stopped all 22 shots he faced, while Greig and Dennis Seidenberg each scored for the Phantoms. Norfolk's Michael Leighton registered 18 saves in the loss.

PHANTOMS TRANSACTIONS

3/4 - ADD Dennis Seidenberg, reassigned by Flyers (NHL)
3/4 - ADD Jim Vandermeer, reassigned by Flyers (NHL)
3/4 - DELETE Ian Forbes, reassigned to Trenton (ECHL)
3/6 - DELETE Ryan Bast, loaned to Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL)

LITTLE NOTCHES THIRD SHUTOUT OF SEASON

Neil Little ended Philadelphia's recent string of bad luck by making 22 saves in a 2-0 victory over the Norfolk Admirals on Sunday. It was Little's third shutout of the season, his eighth as a Phantom and the 11th of his professional career. The shutout was also Philadelphia's first on the road during the regular season since March 2, 2001, when Little blanked Quebec, 3-0.

SEIDENBERG MAKES PHANTOMS DEBUT

Rookie Dennis Seidenberg was reassigned from the Flyers last week and did not take long to fit in with his new teammates. The German defenseman picked up his first AHL assist and was involved in his first fight as a Phantom in Saturday's game vs. Lowell, and then scored his first goal the following day in Philadelphia's 2-0 win at Norfolk. Fellow defenseman Jim Vandermeer was also reassigned from the Flyers last week and assisted on Seidenberg's goal.

FELIX NAMED TO 2003 USA HOCKEY INLINE NATIONAL TEAM STAFF

Phantoms athletic trainer Chris Felix was recently named to the 2003 USA Hockey InLine National Team support staff for this summer's International Ice Hockey Federation In-Line Hockey World Championships in Nuremberg and Pfaffenhofen, Germany. Felix will serve as athletic trainer as the team goes for the gold from July 12-20.

UPCOMING OPPONENTS

The Phantoms will look to complete a two-game sweep of the Admirals when they make their only visit of the season to Milwaukee this Friday. Philadelphia captured the first meeting at home, 6-5 in overtime, on Nov. 22. Peter White (3G, 1A) and Mark Greig (1G, 3A) each compiled four points, including combining on the game-winner 2:38 into the extra session. Antero Niittymaki finished with 19 saves to notch the win. The Phantoms were swept by Milwaukee last season, losing 3-0 at home on Feb. 22 and 5-0 on the road on March 15. Goaltenders Chris Mason and Jan Lasak recorded the respective shutouts for the Admirals. Now in their 26th season, the Admirals were one of the six teams to move over from the IHL in 2001-02.

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. The teams played to a 3-3 tie in Philadelphia on Feb. 1 of this season, as John Slaney recorded a goal and an assist to help rally the Phantoms from a two-goal deficit. Antero Niittymaki made 21 saves in the tie.

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS

The first 2,000 fans in attendance on Wednesday, March 19 will receive a Phantoms umbrella, courtesy of PECO. The one-and-only SpongeBob SquarePants is set to return to the First Union Spectrum on Friday, March 21. SpongeBob will be signing autographs and taking pictures with his fans who bring cameras. Philadelphia Charge players will also be in attendance that night to sign autographs and drop the opening puck. The Phantoms' second postgame jersey auction of the season is set for Sunday, March 23 during Tribute to Philly Hockey Night. Philadelphia will be wearing replicas jerseys of the old Philadelphia Firebirds (1974-77 NAHL,1977-79 AHL) during its game against the Hartford Wolf Pack before auctioning them off in Bullies Sports Bar & Restaurant. Proceeds go to the National Adoption Center.

PHANTOMS AMONG THE LEAGUE LEADERS (thru 3/9)

* Peter White is tied for 14th in points (59), second in power-play goals (15) and fifth in shooting percentage (.200)

* Mark Greig is 17th in points (58), tied for third in power-play goals (13) and tied for fourth in game-winning goals (7)

* Neil Little is ninth in goals-against average (2.43)

* Antero Niittymaki is tied for 17th in goals-against average (2.61)

* John Slaney is tied for 11th 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 (29) and third in penalty minutes (251)

* The Phantoms are third in penalty minutes per game (26.0)

* The Phantoms are first in game misconducts (14)

* The Phantoms are fourth in shots allowed per game (27.14)

PHANTOMS NOTES

* Mike Lephart played in his 100th game as a pro on March 5 at Syracuse

* Ben Stafford recorded his 100th point as a pro on March 7 vs. Worcester

* Brad Tiley played in his 800th game as a pro and 500th AHL game on March 7

* After not losing a game at home when leading after two periods since April 1, 2001, the Phantoms did it on back-to-back nights vs. Worcester and Lowell this weekend

* Mark Greig collected his 400th AHL assist on March 9 at Norfolk, becoming just the 27th player in league history to do so

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.



American Hockey League Stories from March 10, 2003


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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