Phantoms Weekly

Published on April 18, 2005 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Adirondack Phantoms News Release


The Phantoms went 2-1 over the weekend to finish in second place in the East Division and secure home-ice advantage in the East Division Semifinals. On Friday, Antero Niittymaki made 21 saves and Joni Pitkanen had three assists in a 4-1 victory over the Hershey Bears. Jon Sim, Ben Stafford, Freddy Meyer and Mark Murphy all scored as Philadelphia ended the season with a 9-3 record against the Bears. Niittymaki starred again on Saturday, stopping all 36 shots he faced in a 4-0 triumph in Albany. Sim, Pitkanen, John Slaney and Randy Jones provided the scoring as Niittymaki notched his sixth shutout of the year and the Phantoms completed a six-game season sweep of the River Rats. Philadelphia returned home on Sunday and suffered a 4-2 setback against Norfolk. Anton Babchuk scored twice and Adam Munro made 30 saves to help the Admirals end a four-game losing streak. R.J. Umberger and Josh Gratton lit the lamp for Philadelphia, while Neil Little made 38 saves on 42 shots.

EAST DIVISION SEMIFINALS BEGIN FRIDAY

Philadelphia (48-25-3-4, 103 points) and Norfolk (43-30-1-6, 93 points) will meet up in the East Division Semifinals for the second straight year. Seeded second in the division, Philadelphia will host Games One and Two of the best-of-seven series this Friday and Saturday. Both games begin at 7:05 p.m. at the Wachovia Center. Games Three and Four will then shift to Norfolk on Monday, April 25 and Wednesday, April 27, as well as Game Five, if necessary, on Friday, April 29. All three of those games are slated for 7:30 p.m. at the Norfolk Scope. If necessary, Games Six and Seven would be played in Philadelphia on dates to be determined.

PHANTOMS VS. NORFOLK

The Phantoms went 4-6 vs. the Norfolk Admirals during the regular season. Ben Stafford lifted Philadelphia to a 3-2 win on Nov. 14 when he scored 2:41 into overtime. Norfolk responded with four straight wins, including a pair of 2-1 overtime decisions in December, a 6-2 blowout on Jan. 14 and a 3-2 shootout win in Philadelphia two days later. The Phantoms then captured three straight encounters, all on the road, before the Admirals pulled out a 4-3 win on April 6 and ended the season with a 4-2 triumph at the Spectrum. Philadelphia went 5-4-1 against the Admirals last year before defeating Norfolk in six games in the East Division Semifinals.

PLAYOFF FACTS
* Philadelphia has now reached the playoffs eight times in its nine-year history.
* The Phantoms are 45-33 all-time in postseason play, including a 12-8 mark when playing at the Wachovia Center.
* Philadelphia captured the 1998 Calder Cup in just its second year of existence.
* The Phantoms are 9-7 all-time in Game One of a playoff series.

PHANTOMS SIGN CARTER

The Phantoms signed center Jeff Carter to an amateur tryout contract on April 14. The 20-year-old was named an OHL First Team All-Star this season after leading the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds in goals (34), points (74), power-play goals (14) and plus/minus (+20) over just 55 games. Carter, who also signed a tryout contract with the Phantoms last season and appeared in all 12 of their playoff games, tied a team season high with nine shots during his professional regular-season debut on Friday.

PHANTOMS TRANSACTIONS

4/14 - ADD Jeff Carter, signed to an ATO

2004-05 RECORDS & MILESTONES
* Philadelphia reeled off 17 consecutive victories from Oct. 22-Nov. 27 to break the AHL record for longest winning streak. Baltimore set the previous mark of 16 straight wins in 1984-85.
* The Phantoms welcomed their 3-millionth fan in club history during their home opener at the Wachovia Center on Friday, Oct. 22. Kate Coyle of Lansdowne, Pa. was presented with a team-autographed stick and a certificate to attend a future game of her choice in a fully catered suite.
* Philadelphia's win streak over the Hershey Bears reached 16 games on Nov. 27. The streak vs. Hershey is believed to be the longest vs. one opponent in AHL history.
* Former head coach Bill Barber and legendary tough guy Frank "The Animal" Bialowas became the first two inductees into the Phantoms Hall of Fame on Jan. 9, as Philadelphia held a special Hall of Fame induction ceremony prior to its 3-0 win over the Albany River Rats.
* Antero Niittymaki broke the club record for most wins (33) in a season. Neil Little established the previous mark of 31 in 1996-97 and 1997-98.
* Jon Sim set the team record for most game-winning goals (10) in a season. The old mark of eight was shared by Peter White (1996-97) and Mark Greig (2002-03).
* R.J. Umberger set rookie records for most points (65) and assists (44) in a season. He also became the first rookie to lead the Phantoms in scoring. Ruslan Fedotenko set the previous rookie highs of 50 points and 34 assists during the 1999-2000 campaign.
* Tony Voce's 22 goals were the most ever by a Phantoms rookie. Colin Forbes set the old mark of 21 in 1996-97.
* Neil Little became just the 10th player to amass 200 career AHL wins in a 4-0 victory in Bridgeport on March 4.
* Patrick Sharp tied a club record with four assists in Philadelphia's 4-3 win over Springfield on Dec. 15.

PHANTOMS AMONG THE LEAGUE LEADERS (final)
* Riley Cote finished second among rookies in major penalties (28) and third in penalty minutes (280).
* Ben Eager finished first among rookies in minor penalties (61), fifth in penalty minutes (232) and tied for ninth in plus/minus (+12).
* Antero Niittymaki finished tied for eighth in goals-against average (2.07), fourth in minutes (3452:39), fifth in wins (33), sixth in games by a goalie (58) and eighth in saves (1,454).
* Joni Pitkanen finished tied for ninth among defensemen in assists (35) and tied for seventh in shots (197).
* Dennis Seidenberg finished first among defensemen in game-winning goals (6), tied for fifth in goals (13) and tied for 13th in power-play goals (6).
* Jon Sim finished tied for second in game-winning goals (10), tied for sixth in goals (37), ninth in shots (259) and tied for 11th in shorthanded goals (3).
* John Slaney finished 12th among defensemen in points (44), fourth in goals (14), tied for seventh in power-play goals (7) and first in shooting percentage (.121).
* R.J. Umberger finished first among rookies in assists (44), third in points (65), fifth in goals (21), third in plus/minus (+19), sixth in shots (194) and tied for sixth in game-winning goals (4).
* Tony Voce finished tied for 11th among rookies in points (39), tied for third in power-play goals (10), fourth in goals (22), seventh in shooting percentage (.138) and 11th in shots (159).
* The Phantoms finished third in goals allowed per game (2.31), fourth in penalty minutes per game (28.05), fifth in penalty killing (87.4 percent), seventh in shots allowed per game (28.51) and ninth in power-play percentage (16.3) and goals per game (2.94).

PHANTOMS NOTES
* The Phantoms are 21-3 vs. Hershey over the past two seasons.
* Boyd Kane played in his 400th AHL game on April 15 vs. Hershey.
* Charlie Cook made his pro debut on April 17 vs. Norfolk.
* Jon Sim's 35 goals and plus-29 rating were the most by a Phantom since 1999-2000, when Mike Maneluk tallied a franchise-record 47 goals and Steve Washburn finished with a plus-33.
* The Phantoms went 29-2 when scoring four or more goals in a game.
* R.J. Umberger and Ben Stafford were the only Phantoms to appear in all 80 games this season.

TICKET INFORMATION

Individual tickets for Games A & B of the upcoming Calder Cup Playoffs, as well as 16-game strips for the entire playoffs, are on sale. Walk-up prices for individual Phantoms playoff games are $16, $20 and $21 for adults, and $10 for all children 14 and under. However, fans ordering tickets in advance can save $1 per ticket off the walk-up price. Contact the Phantoms sales office at 215-465-4522 to purchase 16-game playoff strips or for information on group discounts. In addition, the team is offering Playoff Family Value Packs for the first time at $52 (upper level) and $69 (lower level). Seats can also be charged by phone by calling 215-336-2000, 856-338-9000 or 302-984-2000, or online at www.ticketmaster.com.

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American Hockey League Stories from April 18, 2005


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