Phantoms Weekly

Published on December 15, 2003 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Adirondack Phantoms News Release


The Phantoms went 2-1 last week to maintain third place in the East Division. Philadelphia hosted the red-hot Bridgeport Sound Tigers on Friday and suffered a 4-1 loss. Jeff Hamilton scored twice and Wade Dubielewicz made 20 saves for Bridgeport, which extended its unbeaten streak to 18 games. Patrick Sharp scored the lone goal for the Phantoms. Philadelphia rebounded with a 3-1 victory in Norfolk the following night. Mike Peluso, Ian MacNeil and Ben Stafford all scored third-period goals, while Neil Little made 15 saves in the win. On Sunday, Antero Niittymaki rejoined the Phantoms and stopped 31-of-33 shots in a 3-2 triumph over Hershey. Peter White and Dennis Seidenberg each recorded two assists as Philadelphia improved to 5-0 against the Bears this year.

PHANTOMS ON A ROLL

The Phantoms enter this week's play just one point out of second place in the East Division standings thanks to a 10-2-1 record over their last 13 games. Philadelphia's recent eight-game unbeaten streak (7-0-1) was its longest since a 4-0-4 streak from Jan. 20-Feb. 6, 2002.

FIVE-GAME ROAD WIN STREAK

The Phantoms enter this week's three-game road trip on an AHL season-high five-game road win streak. Philadelphia has captured five in a row away from the Spectrum for the first time since Feb. 24-March 9, 2001. The team hasn't won six straight road games since Feb. 11-March 11, 2000.

FIVE IN A ROW VS. HERSHEY

Philadelphia is 5-0 vs. Hershey this season, outscoring the Bears, 21-8, in the process. The Phantoms have won five straight meetings with the Bears for the first time in franchise history, but did go seven match-ups without a loss (6-0-1) from Feb. 21-Dec. 26, 1998.

HOULE PERFECT IN AHL DEBUT

Goaltender Chris Houle made his AHL debut on Dec. 12 and stopped all 14 shots he faced over the final two periods of a 4-1 loss to the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. The 21-year-old was signed to a PTO on Dec. 9 to replace Antero Niittymaki, who received his first NHL call-up two days earlier. Houle attended training camp with Philadelphia but began the season with the Trenton Titans (ECHL), where he went 5-3 with a 1.64 GAA and two shutouts in eight games.

NUMBER ONE IN PENALTY MINUTES

The Phantoms lead the league in penalty minutes (27.48 per game), as well as minor penalties (221), major penalties (43) and game misconducts (7). Philly also ranks tied for second with seven 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 and expansion Toronto Roadrunners will be meeting for the second and final time on Thursday. On Oct. 18 in Philadelphia, Toronto scored four times in the third period to rally for a 4-2 victory. Nate DiCasmirro had two of the goals, while Stephen Valiquette made 20 saves to notch the win. Neil Little stopped 26 shots in the loss. Toronto entered the AHL this summer as the top affiliate of the Edmonton Oilers and is coached by Geoff Ward, who led the Hamilton Bulldogs to the Calder Cup Finals a year ago.

Philadelphia and Syracuse complete their two-game series on Friday. On Oct. 19 in Philadelphia, Kent McDonell scored twice, including the game-winner 1:35 into overtime, to lift Syracuse to a 2-1 victory. Mike Peluso tallied Philadelphia's lone goal and Antero Niittymaki made 14 saves in defeat. The teams split six match-ups in 2002-03 and Philadelphia holds a 16-9-7-1 lead in the all-time series, including a 7-5-4 mark when playing on the road.

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS

It will be New Line Cinema's "The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King" Night on Friday, Dec. 26. "Lord of the Rings" movie posters and necklaces will be given out to 500 fans apiece, while lucky fans will win PlayStation 2 video games, t-shirts, books and movie tickets. There will also be a register-to-win for a two-foot talking Gollum statue that night. The first 3,000 fans in attendance on Sunday, Dec. 28 will receive a 2003-04 Phantoms trading card set, courtesy of Subway. The Cingular Wireless Find Noki contest will also take place during the first intermission.

PHANTOMS TRANSACTIONS

12/9 - ADD Chris Houle, signed to a PTO
12/10 - DELETE Nick Deschenes, reassigned to Trenton (ECHL)
12/12 - ADD Dennis Seidenberg, reassigned from Flyers (NHL)
12/14 - ADD Nick Deschenes, recalled from Trenton (ECHL)
12/14 - ADD Antero Niittymaki & Jim Vandermeer, reassigned from Flyers (NHL)
12/15 - DELETE Antero Niittymaki, Patrick Sharp & Jim Vandermeer, recalled by Flyers (NHL)

PHANTOMS AMONG THE LEAGUE LEADERS (thru 12/14)

* Kirby Law is tied for seventh in points (26), tied for ninth in goals (11), tied for seventh in power-play goals (4), tied for 12th in assists (15) and is 15th in shots (81)

* Patrick Sharp is tied for 11th in points (24), tied for 16th in assists (14), tied for seventh in power-play goals (4), tied for 15th in goals (10) and tied for eighth in game-winning goals (3)

* Peter White is 10th in points (25) and tied for third in assists (19)

* Mike Peluso is tied for 15th in goals (15) and is seventh in shots (89)

* Peter Vandermeer is first in penalty minutes (195) and major penalties (15)

* Boyd Kane is first in minor penalties (28)

* Dennis Seidenberg is tied for third in shots (106), tied for seventh in plus-minus (+12) and tied for eighth in game-winning goals (3). He is also first among defensemen in shots and game-winning goals, tied for second in goals (6), fourth in points (17), tied for sixth in assists (11) and tied for fourth in plus-minus

* Randy Jones is tied for 10th among defensemen and tied for fourth among rookies in assists (10)

* The Phantoms are fifth in goals allowed (2.28) and fourth in shots allowed per game (26.41)

PHANTOMS NOTES

* Philadelphia has scored a league-high 35 goals during the second period this year, while allowing just 21.

* Neil Little collected his 200th win as a pro on Dec. 13 at Norfolk.

* Ian MacNeil played in his 100th game as a Phantom on Dec. 14 vs. Hershey.

* Chris Houle became the 14th different goaltender to appear in a game for the Phantoms in their eight-year history.

* The Phantoms matched a club record for fewest shots allowed in a road game when Norfolk attempted just 16 on Dec. 13. Philadelphia also limited Bridgeport to 16 shots back on Nov. 15.

* Antero Niittymaki has just one loss in his last 10 appearances (5-1-2, two no-decisions).

* The Phantoms are 2-for-42 on the power play over the last seven games, but are 5-2 during the span.

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 15, 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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