Phantoms Weekly

Published on November 3, 2003 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Adirondack Phantoms News Release


The Phantoms split two games over the weekend to cap off their four-game road trip at 1-3. On Saturday in Albany, Philadelphia scored three times in the third period but came up short, 4-3, vs. the River Rats. John Slaney finished with a goal and an assist, while Antero Niittymaki made 17 saves in defeat. Philadelphia ended its winless streak at six games (0-4-1-1) on Sunday with a resounding 6-2 victory in Hershey. After falling behind just 18 seconds into the game, the Phantoms scored six consecutive goals to double their previous season high for most goals in a game. Kirby Law led the way with four points (2G, 2A), rookie defenseman Randy Jones contributed three assists and Niittymaki stopped 28 shots for his first win of the season.

PHANTOMS EXPLODE IN HERSHEY

After scoring a combined nine goals during a six-game winless streak, the Phantoms exploded for a 6-2 road win over the Hershey Bears on Sunday. Philadelphia established season highs for goals, shots in a game (47) and period (22 in the 1st), victory margin (4) and penalty minutes (45). It was the team's highest offensive output since a 6-3 win at Cleveland last March 29 and most decisive victory since a 5-1 win over Manchester on March 2 of last season. The Phantoms actually eclipsed their previous season high for shots (32) after just two periods.

LAYING DOWN THE LAW

Right wing Kirby Law recorded two goals and two assists in Philadelphia's 6-2 win in Hershey. The four-point performance was his most productive outing in 245 career games as a Phantom, and set team season highs for most points and goals in a game, as well as most goals in a period (2). Through 10 games, Law has assumed the team lead in points (8), assists (6) and shots (34).

STOCK RETURNS; SAVAGE REASSIGNED

The Phantoms added more toughness to the squad on Oct. 29 when they received veteran left wing P.J. Stock on reassignment from the Providence Bruins. To make room on the roster, the team reassigned center Andre Savage to Providence. Stock, 28, joined the Phantoms after scoring one goal in four games with Providence and appearing in one game with the Boston Bruins this season. In 2000-01, he appeared in nine games (3 points & 37 PIM) with the Phantoms and in 31 games with the Flyers. Savage had one goal in eight games this season as a Phantom.

J. VANDERMEER BACK FOR THE WEEKEND

Defenseman Jim Vandermeer was loaned to the Phantoms for the weekend and totaled four shots and four penalty minutes in two games with his former club. Vandermeer, the younger brother of Phantoms left wing Peter Vandermeer, compiled 26 points (5G, 21A) and 210 PIM over 122 games with the Phantoms from 2001-03. He has appeared in seven games as a Philadelphia Flyer this season.

UPCOMING OPPONENTS

The Phantoms and rival Hershey Bears play a home-and-home series this Friday and Saturday. Philadelphia posted a 6-2 victory in the season series opener on Nov. 2 as Kirby Law recorded four points (2G, 2A) and Antero Niittymaki made 28 saves. The win snapped a five-game losing streak in Hershey for the Phantoms. Philadelphia went 4-7-0-1 vs. the Bears last year and holds a 38-32-8-5 all-time record vs. the Bears (22-14-4-1 at home & 16-18-4-4 on the road). After this weekend, the 12-game series will continue on Wednesday, Dec. 3 in Hershey.

The Phantoms look to remain unbeaten vs. the Bridgeport Sound Tigers this Sunday. Philadelphia won the first encounter, 3-1, on Oct. 11 as Neil Little stopped 26-of-27 shots on goal and Peter White and Patrick Sharp each recorded two points. The teams then skated to a 1-1 tie on Oct. 17 thanks to second-period power-play goals by Martin Kariya and Peter White. Philadelphia is 5-3-1-1 all-time vs. the Sound Tigers, including a 2-1-0-1 mark when playing at home. The teams face off a total of eight times this season, with the next game scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 15 in Bridgeport.

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 as part of November Adoption Awareness Month. The first 2,500 people in attendance will receive a sports bottle, courtesy of Wendy's, while Cat in the Hat mini-movie posters will be distributed to kids. Sunday, Nov. 9 is Disney/Pixar's Finding Nemo Night.

Kids can watch the popular movie in Bullies Sports Bar & Restaurant at 4:00 p.m. that day and pick up a Finding Nemo poster on their way into the game. Finding Nemo DVDs, videos, masks and stickers will be given away to lucky fans during the game. Also on Sunday, the Aquarium Authority will be giving away 500 vouchers for a free goldfish and the New Jersey State Aquarium will have an interactive display on the concourse, as well as mascot Chomp on hand.

PHANTOMS TRANSACTIONS

10/29 - ADD P.J. Stock, reassigned from Providence Bruins (AHL)
10/29 - DELETE Andre Savage, reassigned to Providence Bruins (AHL)
10/31 - ADD Jim Vandermeer, loaned from Flyers (NHL)
11/3 - DELETE Jim Vandermeer, recalled by Flyers (NHL)

PHANTOMS AMONG THE LEAGUE LEADERS

* Dennis Seidenberg is tied for third in plus-minus (+6) and tied for seventh in shots (29) among defensemen
* Randy Jones is tied for eighth among defensemen in plus-minus (+5)
* Peter Vandermeer is second in penalty minutes (53) and tied for fourth in major penalties (5)
* Neil Little is 13th in goals-against average (1.83)
* Antero Niittymaki is tied for 15th in goals-against average (1.93)
* The Phantoms are eighth in goals allowed (2.30) and fourth in shots allowed per game (25.80)

PHANTOMS NOTES

* Peter White played in his 600th AHL game on Nov. 2 at Hershey

* Dennis Seidenberg played in his 200th game as a pro on Nov. 2 at Hershey

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.

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American Hockey League Stories from November 3, 2003


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