Phantoms Weekly

Published on October 12, 2004 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Adirondack Phantoms News Release


The Phantoms concluded their preseason schedule with a 1-3 record. The exhibition slate began on Oct. 2 with a 3-2 shootout loss to the Albany River Rats in front of a sellout crowd of 643 at the Polonia Bank Flyers Skate Zone in Northeast Philadelphia. Patrick Sharp and Joni Pitkanen each scored in regulation for Philadelphia, while Antero Niittymaki recorded 32 saves. Zach Parise and Bobby Allen tallied goals in regulation for Albany and Aleksander Suglobov netted the only successful shootout attempt to give the River Rats the win. The teams met again three days later in West Orange, N.J. and Albany came away with a 4-2 victory. Suglobov finished with a goal and two assists for the River Rats, while Mathieu Brunelle and Ben Eager each scored for Philly. The Norfolk Admirals visited the Sovereign Bank Flyers Skate Zone in Voorhees, N.J. on Oct. 8 and posted a 4-1 win as Craig Anderson starred in net with 30 saves. Defenseman Joey Hope tallied the lone goal for Philadelphia. The Phantoms finally got in the win column on Oct. 11 with a 4-0 triumph over their ECHL affiliate, the Trenton Titans. Mark Murphy and Tony Voce each recorded a goal and two assists, while goaltenders Neil Little and Chris Houle combined on the shutout.

FIVE SENT TO TRENTON

In order to pare down their roster for the 2004-05 season, the Phantoms have reassigned defensemen Stephen Wood and Rosario Ruggeri, and forwards Nick Deschenes, Mathieu Brunelle and Brent Robinson to the Trenton Titans of the East Coast Hockey League. The moves leave Philadelphia with 24 players on the current roster.

GAME TIME CHANGES

The Phantoms have announced a pair of game time changes since their original schedule was revealed. Philadelphia's game on Dec. 26 in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton has been moved from 5:05 to 7:05 p.m. In addition, the Phantoms' home game vs. Wilkes-Barre on April 3 was changed from 5:05 to 6:05 p.m.

WHITE AMONG THE AHL'S ALL-TIME LEADERS

Center Peter White enters the 2004-05 campaign ranked 20th in AHL history with 738 points. He also ranks 43rd all-time in goals (236) and eighth in assists (502) over 667 career games in the league. The three-time AHL All-Star and three-time AHL scoring champion is the Phantoms' all-time leader in points, goals, assists, power-play goals, game-winning goals, plus/minus and games played.

SMITH & LITTLE SUSPENDED

Left wing Jeff Smith will miss the Phantoms' first two regular-season games after being suspended by the AHL for a match penalty (attempt to injure) he received during a preseason game on Oct. 2. Smith will be eligible to return on Oct. 22. Goaltender Neil Little was also suspended for one game due to his match penalty from Oct. 8.

UPCOMING OPPONENTS

Philadelphia opens the 2004-05 season on Saturday in Hartford. The teams met twice last year, as they skated to a 3-3 tie in Philadelphia on Jan. 30 before the Wolf Pack posted a 4-0 home win on Feb. 13. The Phantoms lead the all-time series, 8-7-3-2, including a 5-3-2 mark when playing in Hartford. The Wolf Pack make their only visit of the season to Philadelphia on Jan. 28.

The Phantoms head to Bridgeport on Sunday for the first of eight match-ups in 2004-05. Philadelphia went 3-3-2 against the Sound Tigers last season, including a 1-1-2 mark in Bridgeport. The Phantoms posted two wins and a tie in the last three meetings, allowing just one combined goal over the three games. Philadelphia is 7-6-2-1 all-time vs. the Sound Tigers, including a 3-3-2 mark when playing on the road. The teams will next meet on Oct. 27 in Philadelphia.

MEET THE TEAM PARTY SET FOR OCT. 19

Mark Tuesday, Oct. 19 on your calendars, as the entire Phantoms team and coaching staff will be at Chickie's & Pete's in South Philadelphia to meet the public. A special meet & greet with season ticket holders will take place from 6:00-7:00 p.m. before it opens up for everyone from 7:00-8:00. Chickie's & Pete's is located at 1526 Packer Ave.

"RUMBLE WITH THE PHANTOMS" BACK FOR FOURTH SEASON

The Phantoms and WNJC (1360 AM) are proud to announce the return of the "Rumble with the Phantoms" show every Wednesday from 4:30-5:00 p.m. Hosted by Tom Shaw, the show features a player interview, news on the team and ticket giveaways each week. Head coach John Stevens will be the first guest on Oct. 13.

CHALK TALK SCHEDULE SET

The three pregame Chalk Talks for season ticket holders have been scheduled for Nov. 7, Dec. 19 and Jan. 16. A different Phantoms coach will be at each session to discuss the team and his coaching strategies. Chalk Talks take place at Bullies inside the Wachovia Spectrum and begin three hours before game time.

PHANTOMS NOTES

* Philadelphia is 6-2 all-time in season openers and 5-3 in road openers.

* This is the fifth time the Phantoms will open their season on the road. They are 3-1 in that situation heading into Saturday's opener.

* Philadelphia's longest homestand of the 2004-05 season is four games (Nov. 3-12). The longest road trip is five games (Feb. 12-23).

* The Phantoms will play three games in three days on 14 occasions this season.

* Philadelphia is playing against a league-high 19 different teams in 2004-05.

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 Four Pack.

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American Hockey League Stories from October 12, 2004


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