Phantoms Weekly

Published on December 1, 2003 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Adirondack Phantoms News Release


The Phantoms extended their unbeaten streak to seven games with two wins and a tie last week. On Wednesday, Kirby Law scored twice to help Philadelphia build a three-goal lead before the Norfolk Admirals tallied the final three goals in a 4-4 tie. Mark Murphy added a goal and two assists, while Antero Niittymaki finished with a team season-high 35 saves. Philadelphia resumed its winning ways on Friday as Kirk Furey and Patrick Sharp each scored second-period power-play goals in a 3-2 victory over the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. Neil Little turned aside 26 shots to post the win. On Saturday, Niittymaki made 24 saves and Peter White scored twice to lead the Phantoms to a 4-0 shutout over the host Albany River Rats. Mike Peluso added a pair of assists.

UNBEATEN STREAKS

Philadelphia's current seven-game unbeaten streak (6-0-1) is its longest since going 4-0-4 from Jan. 20 to Feb. 6, 2002. The Phantoms' current six-game home unbeaten streak (4-0-2) is their longest since collecting three wins and three ties from Jan. 20 to Feb. 3, 2002.

GOOD MONTH

The Phantoms finished with a 9-4-2 record and 20 points in November for their most successful month since going 11-2 (22 points) in January 2000. Philadelphia had won eight games in February 2000, March 2001 and March 2003.

FIRST POINT SINCE...

Several Phantoms posted their first AHL points in quite some time last week. Jim Vandermeer registered an assist in Friday's 3-2 win over Wilkes-Barre/Scranton for his first AHL point since last March 29. Todd Fedoruk, who played in two games last week on a conditioning assignment from the Flyers, had an assist in each game for his first AHL points since April 6, 2002. And Craig Berube had an assist in Wednesday's 4-4 tie vs. Norfolk for his first AHL point since the 1988-89 season when he was with the Hershey Bears.

TOP POWER PLAY UNIT

Philadelphia has scored on nine of its last 24 man-advantage situations to take over the league lead in power-play efficiency. The Phantoms are 22-for-109 on the season for a 20.2 percent success rate, which ranks just ahead of the Syracuse Crunch (20.0 percent). Philadelphia also has the AHL's best power play unit on the road at 20.5 percent (9-for-44).

STILL NUMBER ONE IN PENALTY MINUTES

The Phantoms still lead the league in penalty minutes (28.26 per game), as well as minor penalties (175), major penalties (36) and game misconducts (7). Philly also ranks third with five 10-minute misconducts. The Phantoms compiled a season-high 111 PIM on Nov. 14 vs. Cincinnati, a game that featured a multi-player brawl after the final buzzer.

UPCOMING OPPONENTS

The Phantoms are 3-0 against the rival Hershey Bears heading into Wednesday's match-up. 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. On Nov. 7, Niittymaki totaled 27 saves and five different Phantoms had two points in a 5-1 home win over the Bears. Philadelphia made it three in a row the following night when Law scored with 12.3 seconds left in overtime to help defeat Hershey, 3-2. The Phantoms hold a 40-32-8-5 all-time record vs. the Bears, including a 17-18-4-4 mark on the road. The 12-game series will continue on Sunday, Dec. 14 in Philadelphia.

The Phantoms and Norfolk Admirals play a home-and-home series this Friday and 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. Norfolk got revenge on Oct. 25 as Shawn Thornton's unassisted goal in the third period was the difference in a 2-1 Admirals win. The teams then skated to a 4-4 tie on Nov. 26. Philadelphia is 13-14-2-2 all-time vs. the Admirals, (7-8-1 at home, 6-6-1-2 on the road). The teams' next encounter after this weekend is set for Saturday, Dec. 13 in Norfolk.

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS

The first 4,000 kids 14 and under in attendance on Friday, Dec. 12 will receive a Ron Hextall bobblehead doll, courtesy of Allstate. It is the first of three dolls offered in the Phantoms' Philadelphia Hockey Heritage Series this season. Bobby Clarke's bobblehead doll will be given away on Friday, Jan. 23 and Neil Little's will be available on Sunday, March 21.

PHANTOMS TRANSACTIONS

11/28 - ADD Todd Fedoruk, loaned from Flyers (NHL) on conditioning assignment
11/28 - ADD Jim Vandermeer, assigned from Flyers (NHL)
11/28 - DELETE James Laux, reassigned to Trenton (ECHL)
11/29 - DELETE Jim Vandermeer, recalled by Flyers (NHL)
11/30 - DELETE Todd Fedoruk, recalled by Flyers (NHL)

PHANTOMS AMONG THE LEAGUE LEADERS (thru 11/30)

* Kirby Law is tied for third in points (23), tied for seventh in goals (10), tied for fourth in power-play goals (4), tied for 14th in assists (13) and is 11th in shots (70)

* Patrick Sharp is tied for eighth in points (21) and assists (14)

* Peter White is tied for eighth in points (21) and tied for third in assists (15)

* Peter Vandermeer is first in penalty minutes (161) and tied for first in major penalties (11)

* Boyd Kane is second in minor penalties (24)

* Dennis Seidenberg is tied for fourth in plus-minus (+10) and shots (80) and tied for fifth in game-winning goals (3). He is also first among defensemen in shots and game-winning goals (3), tied for first in goals (6), tied for sixth in points (13) and tied for second in plus-minus

* The Phantoms are first in penalty minutes per game (28.26) and fifth in shots allowed per game (26.57)

PHANTOMS NOTES

* Philadelphia went four straight games (Nov. 21-26) with a player recording a multi-goal game. It has never happened in five consecutive games in club history.

* Kirby Law's current six-game point streak (3G, 4A) ties for the longest by a Phantom this season. Boyd Kane and Law each went six straight games with a point from Nov. 2-14, while Dennis Seidenberg accomplished the feat from Nov. 14-23.

* Peter White reached 800 points as a pro with two goals on Nov. 29 at Albany.

* Kirk Furey scored his first AHL goal on Nov. 28 vs. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.

* Craig Berube recorded his 200th point as a pro on Nov. 26 vs. Norfolk.

* Philadelphia is now 7-7-6 all-time when playing at the Wachovia Center.

* Dennis Seidenberg had a plus-nine rating during 15 games in November.

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 December 1, 2003


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