Phantoms Weekly
October 20, 2003 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Adirondack Phantoms News Release
The Phantoms tied a game and lost twice over the weekend to fall into fourth place in the East Division. On Friday, Antero Niittymaki made 26 saves and Peter White scored in a 1-1 tie at Bridgeport. Philadelphia is now 1-0-1 vs. the Sound Tigers this season. On Saturday vs. Toronto, goals by John Slaney and Patrick Sharp gave the Phantoms a two-goal lead after two periods, but Nate DiCasmirro registered two goals and an assist to help rally the Roadrunners to a 4-2 victory. Neil Little turned aside 26 shots for Philadelphia. The Phantoms capped off the weekend with a 2-1 overtime loss to Syracuse on Sunday. Mike Peluso opened the scoring with his first goal as a Phantom before Kent McDonell scored twice, including the game-winner 1:35 into overtime. Niittymaki stopped 14-of-16 shots he faced.
KANE MAKES NHL DEBUT
After 347 professional games over five-plus seasons, left wing Boyd Kane made his NHL debut on Oct. 16 in the Flyers' 0-0 tie at San Jose. Kane was recalled by the Flyers two days earlier after recording a goal and an assist in his first three games as a Phantom.
WHITE BACK WITH FLYERS
On Oct. 18, center Peter White made his first appearance with the Flyers since the 2000-01 season. White was recalled that morning and flew out to meet the big club in Phoenix after amassing three goals and two assists in the Phantoms' first four games. The Phantoms' all-time leader in goals, points, assists, power-play goals, game-winning goals and games played, White appeared in 101 games with the Flyers from 1998-2001 before joining the Chicago Blackhawks organization for two years.
LITTLE PUTS TOGETHER IMPRESSIVE SCORELESS STREAK
Goaltender Neil Little had his personal scoreless streak end at 149:16 on Oct. 18 vs. Toronto. The streak began after Rob Collins tallied Bridgeport's lone goal of the game at the 17:51 mark of the first period on Oct. 11. Little then shut out the Norfolk Admirals on Oct. 12 and did not allow the Roadrunners to score until Dan Baum's goal 7:07 into the third period. The franchise record for longest scoreless streak (208:25) was set by Little during the 2000-01 season.
NIITTYMAKI OFF TO GOOD START
After missing Philadelphia's first three games due to a knee injury, goaltender Antero Niittymaki was sharp in his first two outings this past weekend, stopping 40-of-43 shots and recording a 1.42 goals-against average. He only received one goal of support in each game, however, and was unable to notch his win of the season.
UPCOMING OPPONENTS
Philadelphia and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton begin their 10-game season series this Friday. The Phantoms went 6-3-0-1 vs. the Penguins last year, including wins in their last three visits to Wilkes-Barre. Former captain Mark Greig led Philadelphia with 15 points in the 10 match-ups with Wilkes-Barre last season, John Slaney contributed 14 points in just nine games played and goaltender Antero Niittymaki shined with a 4-1 record. The Phantoms hold a 26-12-3-1 lead in the all-time series, including a 15-5-1 mark on the road. The next encounter between the teams is scheduled for Nov. 22 in Wilkes-Barre.
The Phantoms make their first of five visits to Norfolk on Saturday. The teams opened the season series on Oct. 12, as Neil Little stopped all 29 shots he faced in a 3-0 Phantoms victory. Philadelphia struggled with Norfolk last year, sporting a 3-6-0-1 record and three shutout losses. Phantoms right wing Mike Peluso was with the Admirals a year ago and led them with nine points in 10 games vs. Philadelphia. Peter White played for both teams in 2002-03 and had six points in six games vs. the Phantoms. Philadelphia is 13-13-1-2 all-time vs. the Admirals, including a 6-5-1-2 mark when playing in Norfolk. The teams' next encounter is set for Wednesday, Nov. 26 in Philadelphia.
UPCOMING PROMOTIONS
It will be National Adoption Center Recognition Night on Friday, Nov. 7, when the Phantoms host the Hershey Bears. The NAC will have information tables on the concourse that night. The first 2,500 people in attendance will also receive a sports bottle, courtesy of Wendy's.
PHANTOMS TRANSACTIONS
10/14 - DELETE Chris Houle, released from ATO
10/14 - DELETE Boyd Kane, recalled by Flyers (NHL)
10/18 - DELETE Peter White, recalled by Flyers (NHL)
PHANTOMS AMONG THE LEAGUE LEADERS
* Patrick Sharp is tied for 12th in points (5)
* Peter White is tied for 12th in points (5)
* Randy Jones is tied for sixth among defensemen in plus-minus (+3)
* Kirby Law is tied for third in assists (4)
* Dennis Seidenberg is tied for 10th overall and tied for second among defensemen in shots (20)
* Antero Niittymaki is seventh in goals-against average (1.42)
* Neil Little is tied for fourth in wins (2)
* The Phantoms are fourth in shots allowed per game (25.33)
PHANTOMS NOTES
* Kirby Law's penalty shot on Oct. 17 in Bridgeport was the first attempted by a Phantom on the road since Feb. 3, 1999, when Jason Zent was also denied at St. John's. Philadelphia is now 3-for-11 all-time in penalty shot attempts.
* Philadelphia started the year 0-for-18 on the power play before Peter White finally scored on the man advantage during the second period on Oct. 17 in Bridgeport.
* Freddy Meyer notched his first career point with an assist vs. Toronto on Oct. 18.
TICKET INFORMATION
Tickets to all Phantoms home games are $19, $18 and $14 for adults, and $8 for all children 14 and under, and are available now at the Wachovia Center box office and all Ticketmaster locations throughout the Delaware Valley. Tickets can also be charged by phone by calling (215) 336-2000, (856) 338-9000 or (302) 984-2000 or online at www.ticketmaster.com. Contact the Phantoms office at 215-465-4522 or log on to www.phantomshockey.com for information on group discounts, birthday packages and the Family Value Pack.
UPCOMING GAMES
Date Opponent Site Time (ET)
Oct. 24 W-B/Scranton Penguins Wachovia Arena 7:05 p.m.
Oct. 25 Norfolk Admirals Norfolk Scope 7:30 p.m.
PRESEASON RESULTS
Date Opponent Site W-L-T Score
Oct. 17 Bridgeport Sound Tigers Arena at Harbor Yard T 1-1
Oct. 18 Toronto Roadrunners Wachovia Spectrum L 4-2
Oct. 19 Syracuse Crunch Wachovia Spectrum L 2-1 (OT)
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