Phantoms Weekly

Published on February 16, 2004 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Adirondack Phantoms News Release


The Phantoms went 1-2 over the weekend to remain one point out of first place in the East Division. On Friday, Philadelphia was blanked for just the second time in 2003-04 as Hartford posted a 4-0 victory. Jason LaBarbera made 33 saves to notch his 10th shutout of the season (new AHL record) and Garth Murray scored twice for the Wolf Pack. Neil Little stopped 14-of-17 shots before being replaced by Chris Houle late in the second period. The following night, Johnny Pohl and Igor Valeev each scored in the second period as Worcester hung on for a 2-1 win over the Phantoms. Brent Johnson registered 27 saves for the IceCats, while Houle turned aside 27 shots in his first career AHL start. Mark Murphy tallied the lone Philadelphia goal in the third period. Philadelphia ended its three-game losing streak with a 2-1 triumph in Lowell on Sunday. Randy Jones scored a power-play goal and P.J. Stock converted a penalty shot to lead the offense, while Little made 27 saves. Patrick DesRochers stopped 22 shots for the Lock Monsters.

STREAKS ON THE LINE THIS WEEK

Three impressive streaks will be put to the test this week. Philadelphia is 8-0-1 in its last nine home games heading into Wednesday's match-up vs. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. It is the team's longest home unbeaten streak since going 8-0-2 from April 1-Nov. 6, 1998. The Phantoms are also 8-0 vs. the Hershey Bears as the teams get ready for a home-and-home series on Friday and Saturday. The eight-game win streak matches a club record for most consecutive victories against one opponent. Philadelphia has shut out the Bears in each of the last two encounters and has a current scoreless streak of 161:38 vs. Hershey.

CAN'T BEAT WORCESTER

While the Phantoms have thrived vs. Hershey this season, they have not been able to figure out the Worcester IceCats. Philadelphia lost both meetings with the IceCats this season and has dropped five in a row against Worcester, which ties a club record for longest losing streak vs. one team. The Phantoms are also 0-4-2-1 in their last seven visits to Worcester, which is a franchise record for longest winless streak on the road vs. one team.

SHARP & NIITTYMAKI EXCELLING WITH THE FLYERS

Center Patrick Sharp and goaltender Antero Niittymaki continue to make their mark with the Flyers. Sharp recorded his first multi-goal game in the NHL when he scored twice in a 6-2 win over the New York Rangers on Feb. 14. The 22-year-old has five points (4G, 1A) and a plus-3 rating in 19 games with the Flyers this season. Niittymaki is 3-0 with a 1.00 goals-against average since Robert Esche got hurt. Niittymaki is the first Flyers goalie to win his first three NHL starts since Ron Hextall won four straight in 1986-87.

PENALTY LEADERS

The Phantoms continue to lead the league in penalty minutes (28.89 per game), major penalties (81), minor penalties (403) and game misconducts (19). Philadelphia is tied for second in 10-minute misconducts (12).

UPCOMING OPPONENTS

Philadelphia is 3-2 vs. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton as the teams continue their 10-game season series this Wednesday. The Penguins won the first match-up, 3-1, on Oct. 24 as Michel Ouellet netted two of Wilkes-Barre/Scranton's three third-period goals. Philadelphia responded on Nov. 22 by rallying from a three-goal deficit to post a 5-4 road win. Former Penguin Mark Murphy scored twice in the comeback. The Phantoms posted a 3-2 home win on Nov. 28 thanks to second-period power-play goals by Kirk Furey and Patrick Sharp, and made it three in a row on Jan. 4 when Sharp scored twice in a 3-2 triumph. Wilkes-Barre got back in the win column on Jan. 17 as Kris Beech netted the game-winner 6:01 into the third period of a 4-3 decision. The Phantoms hold a 29-14-3-1 lead in the all-time series, including a 13-7-2-1 mark at home. The next showdown between the teams is scheduled for Saturday, March 6 in Wilkes-Barre.

The Phantoms bring an 8-0 record against the rival Hershey Bears into Friday and Saturday's home-and-home series. 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. Philadelphia continued its success with a 4-1 road win on Dec. 3 thanks to a goal and an assist by rookie Randy Jones, and then posted a 3-2 win on Dec. 14 thanks to 31 saves by Niittymaki. On Dec. 26, Philadelphia scored the final six goals, including five in the third, in a 6-2 decision. Niittymaki improved to 5-0 vs. the Bears on Jan. 16 when he made 19 saves in a 4-0 shutout before Neil Little turned aside 24 shots in a 2-0 road win on Jan. 24. The Phantoms hold a 45-32-8-5 all-time record vs. the Bears (26-14-4-1 at home & 19-18-4-4 on the road). The 12-game series will continue on Friday, April 2 in Philadelphia.

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS

The Phantoms and the National Constitution Center will be giving away mini George Washington bobblehead dolls to the first 500 kids 14 and under this Wednesday, Feb. 18. The first U.S. President is wearing a white #87 Phantoms jersey and holding a hockey stick in his right hand. Campbell's will also be sampling its new Invigor8 drink and Maggiano's will have a promotion during an intermission. On Friday, Feb. 20, the Phantoms will be screening Spy Kids 3-D in Bullies at 5:00 p.m. Lucky fans will also win DVDs of the movie. Brunswick will have a promotion during an intermission and registration will begin to win a Hyundai Santa Fe.

PHANTOMS TRANSACTIONS
2/9 - DELETE Antero Niittymaki & Claude Lapointe, recalled by Flyers (NHL)
2/9 - DELETE Jeff Hackett, announced his retirement
2/11 - DELETE Boyd Kane, recalled by Flyers (NHL)
2/11 - DELETE Mike Siklenka, reassigned to Trenton (ECHL)
2/12 - ADD Mike Siklenka, recalled from Trenton (ECHL)
2/15 - ADD Boyd Kane, reassigned from Flyers (NHL)

PHANTOMS AMONG THE LEAGUE LEADERS (thru 2/15)

* Kirby Law is tied for fourth in points (54) and assists (33), tied for seventh in goals (21) and 14th in shots (159)

* Peter White is tied for 17th in points (41) and eighth in assists (31)

* Patrick Sharp is tied for 18th in game-winning goals (4) and tied for 13th in power-play goals (7)

* Mike Peluso is 12th in shots (164)

* Peter Vandermeer is first in penalty minutes (285) and tied for fourth in major penalties (21)

* Boyd Kane is first in minor penalties (48)

* Neil Little is 10th in goals-against average (2.06), tied for eighth in wins (15) and tied for 10th in shutouts (3)

* Antero Niittymaki is tied for 13th in wins (14) and tied for fifth in shutouts (4)

* Dennis Seidenberg is tied for 18th in game-winning goals (4). He is also first among defensemen in game-winning goals, sixth in shots (123), tied for 11th in goals (7) and tied for 15th in plus/minus (+11)

* Randy Jones is tied for seventh among rookies in assists (17) and tied for 17th in points (23). Among defensemen, he is tied for 17th in assists and tied for 16th in points.

* Kirk Furey is tied for 11th among defensemen in plus/minus (+12)

* John Slaney is tied for 11th among defensemen in goals (7) and tied for fourth in power-play goals (5)

* The Phantoms are tied for second in wins (30), third in shots allowed per game (26.15) and sixth in goals allowed per game (2.25)

PHANTOMS NOTES

* Goaltender Jeff Hackett announced his retirement on Feb. 9, making his start and win with the Phantoms three days earlier the last in his 16-year pro career.

* Kirby Law scored a goal to help the Canadian team post a 9-5 victory over PlanetUSA at the 2004 Pepsi AHL All-Star Game on Feb. 9. It was Law's first career AHL All-Star appearance.

* John Slaney needs one goal to tie Jim Wiemer's AHL record for most career goals by a defenseman (124).

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)
Feb. 18 W-B/Scranton Penguins Wachovia Spectrum 7:05 p.m.
Feb. 20 Hershey Bears Wachovia Spectrum 7:05 p.m.
Feb. 21 Hershey Bears GIANT Center 7:05 p.m. (CN8)

LAST WEEK'S RESULTS
Date Opponent Site W-L-T Score
Feb. 13 Hartford Wolf Pack Hartford Civic Center L 4-0
Feb. 14 Worcester IceCats Centrum Centre L 2-1
Feb. 15 Lowell Lock Monsters Tsongas Arena W 2-1

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American Hockey League Stories from February 16, 2004


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