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Phantoms Weekly

November 8, 2004 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Adirondack Phantoms News Release


The Phantoms went 3-0 last week to extend their current win streak to seven games. On Wednesday, Patrick Sharp and Mark Murphy each recorded a goal and two assists in a 4-2 victory over the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks. Jeff Smith and Ryan Ready both added their first goals of the year and Antero Niittymaki stopped 18-of-20 shots to win his fourth start in a row. Dennis Seidenberg led the way on Friday by totaling a goal and two assists in a 4-1 triumph over the Hershey Bears. Joey Hope and Peter White chipped in two points apiece and Niittymaki made 23 saves as Philadelphia defeated the Bears for the 14th straight time. On Sunday, Murphy and R.J. Umberger each scored third-period goals to lift the Phantoms to a 3-1 win over the Mighty Ducks. Ben Stafford added a goal and an assist, while Neil Little turned aside 20 shots in just his second appearance of the season.

UPCOMING OPPONENTS

The Phantoms and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins renew their rivalry this Friday. The teams split 10 match-ups in 2003-04 before meeting in the East Division Finals. The Penguins captured the best-of-seven series in six games before eventually bowing out in the Calder Cup Finals. Philadelphia won the last two regular-season meetings and owns a 31-17-3-1 lead in the all-time series, including a 14-9-2-1 mark at home. The 10-game series continues on Wednesday, Dec. 1 when Wilkes-Barre/Scranton visits the Spectrum again.

Philadelphia travels to Binghamton on Saturday after losing four of six meetings vs. the Senators a year ago. The Phantoms did have success when playing in Binghamton, however, winning two of their three trips to the Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena. The teams, who never faced each other prior to 2003-04, will next meet on Wednesday, Nov. 17 at 11:05 a.m. for Philadelphia's annual School Day Game.

The Phantoms and Norfolk Admirals kick off their 10-game season series on Sunday. Philadelphia went 5-4-1 against the Admirals last year, including a 3-1-1 mark at home, before defeating Norfolk in six games in the East Division Semifinals. The Phantoms are 17-17-2-2 all-time vs. Norfolk and 9-9-1 when playing in Philadelphia. The Admirals will also visit Philadelphia on Saturday, Dec. 4.

SEVEN WINS IN A ROW

Following a pair of season-opening losses, Philadelphia has won seven consecutive games to move into first place in the East Division. The Phantoms have outscored their opponents, 28-10, during the streak and tallied at least three goals in every game. It is the team's longest win streak since also capturing seven in a row from Nov. 18-Dec. 2, 2000. The club record for longest win streak is nine games, which was established from Dec. 6-27, 1997.

DEC. 15 GAME IN SPRINGFIELD MOVED TO TAMPA

The Phantoms have announced that their game in Springfield on Wednesday, Dec. 15 has been relocated to the St. Pete Times Forum, the home of the Falcons' parent club - the Tampa Bay Lightning. The game will now begin at 7:30 p.m.

BACK ATOP THE PENALTY MINUTES LEADERBOARD

In addition to regaining first place in the East Division, the Phantoms have found themselves in another familiar spot - atop the league penalty minutes list. Thanks to 112 PIM accumulated in Sunday's 3-1 win over Cincinnati, Philadelphia is now first in the AHL with an average of 38.22 PIM per game. Last season, the Phantoms topped the league with an average of 28.24 PIM per game. The 112 PIM by Philadelphia and 34 by Ryan Ready on Sunday are both season highs in the AHL.

SHARP ON 11-GAME POINT STREAK

Center Patrick Sharp remains the only Phantom to record a point in every game this year, as his nine-game point streak (4G, 7A) is the longest in the AHL this season. Sharp is actually riding an 11-game point streak (8G, 7A) dating back to last season, which is the longest by a Phantom since Kirby Law went 14 games in a row with a point from Feb. 24-March 30, 2001. Sharp currently leads the Phantoms in points (11), assists (7) and power-play goals (3).

14 STRAIGHT WINS VS. HERSHEY

The Phantoms extended their winning streak vs. the Hershey Bears to 14 with Friday's 4-1 victory. Philadelphia captured all 12 meetings with the Bears in 2003-04 and is 2-0 against its intrastate rival so far this season. This is the longest such streak in the AHL since Saint John also defeated Hamilton 14 straight times earlier this decade. The Phantoms and Bears next meet on Friday, Nov. 26 in Philadelphia and Saturday, Nov. 27 in Hershey.

FEDORUK OUT WITH BROKEN BONES IN FACE

Left wing Todd Fedoruk will miss the next four to six weeks after getting hit in the face by a puck while sitting on the bench in Wednesday's 4-2 win over Cincinnati. Fedoruk, who was appearing in his first game of the year, underwent surgery the following day to repair a nasal fracture and orbital sinus fracture.

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS

It will be Scout Weekend for Philadelphia's games this Friday and Sunday, as dozens of scout troops and packs from across the area will be attending the games and taking part in a scout flag parade during the first intermission. Cure Autism Now Reunion Night is also set for this Sunday, as participants from the Oct. 2 Walk Now 5K event will reunite for the Phantoms game. A special Cure Autism Now ceremony will take place before the game.

PHANTOMS AMONG THE LEAGUE LEADERS (thru 11/7)

* Antero Niittymaki is fourth in goals-against average (1.72) and tied for fifth in wins (5).

* Josh Gratton is fifth in penalty minutes (70).

* Ben Eager is tied for second in minor penalties (13). He is also first among rookies in plus/minus (+6) and tied for first in minor penalties.

* Dennis Seidenberg is tied for sixth among defensemen in points (8), tied for third in power-play goals (2) and tied for first in game-winning goals (2).

* Freddy Meyer is tied for second among defensemen in goals (3) and tied for third in shooting percentage (.200) and plus/minus (+8).

* Tony Voce is tied for 11th among rookies in points (6), tied for third in goals (4) and tied for second in power-play goals (2).

* The Phantoms are fourth in goals per game (3.44), tied for second in goals allowed per game (1.78), first in shots allowed per game (24.89) and third in power-play percentage (24.5).

PHANTOMS NOTES

* Joey Hope tallied his first career AHL goal on Friday. The defenseman, who appeared in 48 games with Philadelphia last year, was making his season debut and subbing in at forward.

* R.J. Umberger tallied his first career AHL goal on Sunday.

* The Phantoms have outscored their opponents, 11-0, in the second period over the last five games.

* Philadelphia is unbeaten in its last five meetings with Cincinnati (3-0-2) and owns a commanding 34-9-5 lead in the all-time series. That includes a 19-3-3 mark when playing in Philadelphia.

* The Phantoms are off to a 5-0 start at home for the first time in club history. It is the best start since the 1998-99 squad opened with a tie and then five wins.

* Neil Little is 4-0-1 with a 0.98 GAA in his last five games dating back to last season.

* Antero Niittymaki is 5-0 with a 1.40 GAA in his last five starts.

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.



American Hockey League Stories from November 8, 2004


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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