Phantoms Weekly

October 25, 2004 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Adirondack Phantoms News Release


The Philadelphia Phantoms won back-to-back games over the weekend to improve to 2-2 on the season. During the team's 2004-05 home opener on Friday, Philadelphia posted a 5-3 victory over the Hamilton Bulldogs in front of 10,152 fans at the Wachovia Center. Patrick Sharp and Tony Voce each scored third-period power-play goals to snap a tie and help the Phantoms post their third straight win over the Bulldogs. Eric Meloche and David Printz added two points apiece, while Antero Niittymaki turned aside 19-of-22 shots. On Saturday in Hershey, Voce scored twice more, including the game-winner 1:09 into overtime, as Philadelphia downed the Bears, 3-2. Mark Murphy tallied Philadelphia's other goal, while Neil Little earned the victory by making 30 saves.

UPCOMING OPPONENTS

The Bridgeport Sound Tigers make their first visit of the season this Wednesday. Bridgeport posted a 4-2 home victory during the teams' first encounter on Oct. 17, snapping Philadelphia's three-game unbeaten streak in the series. Philadelphia went 3-3-2 against the Sound Tigers last season, including a 2-2 mark in Philadelphia. Philadelphia is 7-7-2-1 all-time vs. the Sound Tigers, including a 4-3-0-1 mark when playing at home. The teams will next meet on Nov. 19 in Philadelphia.

The Phantoms wrap up their two-game season series with the Hamilton Bulldogs on Friday. The teams met on Oct. 25, as Philadelphia posted a 5-3 victory in its home opener. Patrick Sharp and Tony Voce's third-period power-play goals were the difference, while the Phantoms outshot the Bulldogs, 50-22. Philadelphia swept both meetings with the Bulldogs last year, posting a 1-0 road win on Dec. 23. The Phantoms are 10-9-3-1 all-time vs. Hamilton, including a 3-5-2-1 mark when playing in Hamilton.

13 STRAIGHT WINS VS. HERSHEY

The Phantoms extended their winning streak vs. the Hershey Bears to 13 with Saturday's 3-2 overtime victory. Philadelphia captured all 12 meetings with the Bears in 2003-04 before Tony Voce made it a baker's dozen on Saturday with his third goal of the year 1:09 into the extra session. During the streak, all three games that have gone into overtime have been 3-2 decisions in Hershey. The teams next meet on Friday, Nov. 5 in Philadelphia.

VOCE ENJOYS BIG WEEKEND

Rookie left wing Tony Voce had a weekend to remember. The Northeast Philadelphia native scored his first career goal and added an assist in the Phantoms' 5-3 win over Hamilton in front of 200 friends and family members. A day later, Voce scored two more times, including the game-winner 1:09 into overtime, in a 3-2 victory in Hershey. Voce currently leads the Phantoms with three goals and is tied with Patrick Sharp for the lead with four points.

SHOTS UP THIS YEAR

After finishing last season ranked 21st in shots per game with an average of 28.23, the Phantoms currently sit in second place in the AHL with an average of 37.25. Philadelphia attempted 50 shots in Friday's 5-3 win over Hamilton, including 24 in the first period that fell one shy of a club record. The shots total was the Phantoms' most since recording 52 on Feb. 25, 2000 vs. Louisville.

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS

Celebrate Halloween early this year during the Phantoms' annual Spooktacular on Wednesday, Oct. 27. Children 14 and under can wear their costumes to the game and take part in safe trick-or-treating on the concourse from 6:00-7:00 p.m. There will also be a Halloween Costume Parade on the ice during the first intermission. The game will be televised live on Comcast SportsNet.

PHANTOMS TRANSACTIONS

10/21 - DELETE B.J. Abel, loaned to Trenton (ECHL)

PHANTOMS AMONG THE LEAGUE LEADERS (thru 10/24)

* Tony Voce is tied for sixth among rookies in points (4), tied for second in goals (3) and fourth in shots (15).

* The Phantoms are second in shots per game (27.25), fourth in shots allowed per game (26.75) and seventh in power-play percentage (20.0).

PHANTOMS NOTES

* Philadelphia is now 6-2-1 all-time in home openers.

* Patrick Sharp has a six-game point streak (6G, 2A) dating back to last season. He is the only Phantom to record a point in all four games this year.

* Riley Cote tallied his first career AHL goal on Friday.

* Ben Eager and R.J. Umberger recorded their first career points over the weekend.

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.

UPCOMING GAMES

Date Opponent Site Time (ET)

Wednesday, Oct. 27 Bridgeport Sound Tigers Wachovia Center 7:05 p.m. (CSN)

Friday, Oct. 29 Hamilton Bulldogs Copps Coliseum 7:30 p.m.

LAST WEEK'S RESULTS

Date Opponent Site W-L Score

Oct. 22 Hamilton Bulldogs Wachovia Center W 5-3

Oct. 23 Hershey Bears GIANT Center W 3-2 (OT)



American Hockey League Stories from October 25, 2004


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