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Phantoms Weekly

October 18, 2004 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Adirondack Phantoms News Release


The Philadelphia Phantoms began their ninth season of play in the American Hockey League with two losses over the weekend. On Saturday, Philadelphia dropped a 2-1 decision to the Hartford Wolf Pack at the Hartford Civic Center. After surrendering the first goal of the game to Hartford's Dominic Moore, Philadelphia's Freddy Meyer tallied a power-play goal to tie the game in the third period. The Wolf Pack responded, however, on a goal by Alexandre Giroux later in the third for the game-winner. The next night, the Phantoms took on the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, losing 4-2 at the Arena at Harbor Yard. Mark Murphy scored his first of the year and Patrick Sharp netted a power-play goal, but it was not enough as Bridgeport scored a shorthanded goal, a penalty shot goal, an empty-netter and a goal during a 4-on-4 situation. Antero Niittymaki played both games for the Phantoms, stopping 48-of-52 shots in goal. It is the first time in franchise history the Phantoms have started the season with two consecutive losses.

UPCOMING OPPONENTS

The Phantoms open the home portion of the 2004-05 season on Friday vs. the Hamilton Bulldogs. Philadelphia swept both meetings with the Bulldogs last year, posting a 1-0 road win on Dec. 23 and a 3-2 home victory on Jan. 7. The Phantoms are 9-9-3-1 all-time vs. Hamilton, including a 6-4-1 mark when playing at home. The Bulldogs are set to host the Phantoms on Friday, Oct. 29.

Philadelphia will look to continue its improbable success against the Hershey Bears when the teams collide at the GIANT Center on Saturday. The Phantoms won all 12 match-ups with the Bears in 2003-04, outscoring them by a 47-14 margin along the way. Philadelphia now owns a 49-32-8-5 lead in the all-time series, including a 21-18-4-4 mark when playing in Hershey. The teams will next meet on Friday, Nov. 5 in Philadelphia.

KANE BREAKS LEFT HAND

Phantoms captain Boyd Kane broke a bone in his left hand during Saturday's loss to Hartford, and will be sidelined for 4-6 weeks. Last season, Kane registered 13 goals and 22 assists in 73 games during his first season with the Phantoms.

PHANTOMS FACING TOP TEAMS FROM 2003-04

The AHL schedule makers made things difficult for the Phantoms in their opening week of play, as Philadelphia's first three games were all against teams with excellent point totals a season ago. Hartford is the defending Atlantic Division champion with 102 points last season, while Bridgeport finished in second place in the East Division behind the Phantoms with 98 points. Hamilton, the Phantoms' opponent on Friday for the home opener, won the North Division last season with 96 points.

PHANTOMS SIGN COTE TO TRYOUT

Left wing Riley Cote was signed by the Phantoms to a pro tryout contract on Friday, Oct. 15. Cote split the 2003-04 season with the Dayton Bombers (ECHL) and Syracuse Crunch, and has a total of 523 penalty minutes in 123 career pro games. He made his Phantoms debut on Sunday in Bridgeport, and was scoreless with two penalty minutes.

PHANTOMS ALLOW PENALTY SHOT GOAL

On Sunday in Bridgeport, the Phantoms allowed just their third penalty shot goal in franchise history. Barrett Heisten scored the goal for the Sound Tigers, beating goaltender Antero Niittymaki high to the glove side. Opponents are now 3-for-8 all time in penalty shots against Philadelphia. The penalty shot was the first allowed since Nov. 23, 2001 by Hershey's Jordan Krestanovich. The only other penalty shot surrendered on the road by Philadelphia was scored by Kentucky's Pat Mikesch on Feb. 14, 1997. Niittymaki stopped the only other penalty shot he has faced, denying Providence's Ivan Huml on Nov. 16, 2003.

SMITH & LITTLE SERVE SUSPENSIONS

Left wing Jeff Smith missed 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 is eligible to return on Oct. 22. Goaltender Neil Little was also suspended for one game due to his match penalty from Oct. 8, and served his suspension on Oct. 16 in Hartford.

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS

The Phantoms' 2004-05 Home Opener will take place on Friday, as the Phantoms face the Hamilton Bulldogs at the Wachovia Center. All fans in attendance will receive a free magnetic schedule, courtesy of Toyota. The game will also be broadcast live on Comcast SportsNet.

PHANTOMS TRANSACTIONS

10/15 - ADD Riley Cote, signed to a PTO
10/17 - DELETE Chris Houle, reassigned to Trenton (ECHL)

PHANTOMS NOTES

* Philadelphia is now 6-3 all-time in season openers and 5-4 in road openers.

* The Phantoms' one shot on goal during the first period against Hartford tied a franchise record for fewest shots on goal in a period.

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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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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