Phantoms Weekly

Published on April 25, 2005 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Adirondack Phantoms News Release


The Philadelphia Phantoms began their quest for the 2005 Calder Cup with a couple of wins against the Norfolk Admirals at the Wachovia Center over the weekend to take a two-games-to-none lead in the best-of-seven East Division Semifinals. On Friday, the Admirals took a 1-0 lead on a goal by AHL Rookie of the Year Rene Bourque in the second period, but a goal by Ben Stafford tied the game while John Slaney and Jon Sim each scored on the power play in a 3-1 Phantoms victory. Antero Niittymaki made 29 saves to pick up the win in net, and Dennis Seidenberg and Patrick Sharp each notched a pair of assists. Niittymaki was on his game again on Saturday for Game Two, as he stopped all 32 Norfolk shots he faced in recording his first career postseason shutout. Todd Fedoruk and Jeff Carter scored in the second period and Ben Eager added a goal on the power play late in the third as the Phantoms won, 3-0. The series now shifts to the Norfolk Scope for Games Three and Four on Monday and Wednesday. Game Five, if necessary, would also be in Norfolk on Friday night, April 29.

Friday, April 22, 2005 - PHANTOMS 3, Norfolk 1
Scoring Attn. Shots PIM PP W/L Goalie (SA-SV)
Admirals 0-1-0 30 16 1-8 Anderson (33-30)
PHANTOMS 0-3-0 5,158 33 19 2-7 Niittymaki (30-29)
Admirals: Bourque (1,PP)
Phantoms: Stafford (1), Slaney (1,PP), Sim (1,PP)

Saturday, April 23, 2005 - PHANTOMS 3, Norfolk 0
Scoring Attn. Shots PIM PP W/L Goalie (SA-SV)
Admirals 0-0-0 32 20 0-9 Anderson (29-26)
PHANTOMS 0-2-1 6,054 29 26 1-6 Niittymaki (32-32)
Admirals: None
Phantoms: Fedoruk (1), Carter (1), Eager (1,PP)


NIITTYMAKI RECORDS FIRST CAREER PLAYOFF SHUTOUT
Phantoms goaltender Antero Niittymaki made 32 saves on Saturday for the first postseason shutout of his career. The 24-year-old has allowed just one goal on 62 shots through the first two games of the Phantoms' East Division Semifinals series with the Norfolk Admirals. His 0.50 goals against average and .984 save percentage both lead the league in the playoffs. The shutout also marked the first one in the playoffs for the Phantoms since April 14, 2001, when Neil Little blanked the Rochester Americans.

FEDORUK TALLIES FIRST CAREER PLAYOFF GOAL AS A PRO
Phantoms left wing Todd Fedoruk notched his first career playoff goal as a pro with a second period tally on Saturday against Norfolk. The six-year pro was without a goal through 13 career postseason games, including seven with the Flyers and six with the Phantoms. Fedoruk had four goals and 12 assists for 16 points and 142 penalty minutes in 42 regular games with the Phantoms during the regular season.

SPECIAL TEAMS LEADING PHANTOMS
A large part of the Phantoms' early success thus far in the playoffs has been their special teams play. On Saturday, the Phantoms killed off all nine Norfolk power plays to keep goaltender Antero Niittymaki's shutout intact in a 3-0 win. The power plays also included a combined 2:43 of five-on-three time for the Admirals. Overall, Philadelphia has killed off 16-of-17 Norfolk power plays (94.1 percent) and has scored three power play goals of its own on 13 attempts (23.1 percent).

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
* The Phantoms are 10-7 all-time in Game One of a playoff series, and are also 10-7 in Game Two.
* Philadelphia is 4-1 in playoff series' when winning the first two games, and is 8-1 when winning Game One.
* The Phantoms have scored five of their six goals in the playoffs during the second period.
* Philadelphia has now reached the playoffs eight times in its nine-year history.
* The Phantoms are 47-33 all-time in postseason play, including a 14-8 mark when playing at the Wachovia Center.
* Philadelphia captured the 1998 Calder Cup in just its second year of existence.

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).

TICKET INFORMATION
Individual tickets 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 .

EAST DIVISION SEMIFINALS (best-of-seven)
Date Opponent Site Time (ET)/Results
Friday, April 22 Norfolk Admirals Wachovia Center W 3-1
Saturday, April 23 Norfolk Admirals Wachovia Center W 3-0
Monday, April 25 Norfolk Admirals Norfolk Scope 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, April 27 Norfolk Admirals Norfolk Scope 7:30 p.m.
*Friday, April 29 Norfolk Admirals Norfolk Scope 7:30 p.m.
*Sunday, May 1 Norfolk Admirals Wachovia Center 7:05 p.m.
*Monday, May 2 Norfolk Admirals Wachovia Center 7:05 p.m.

* if necessary



American Hockey League Stories from April 25, 2005


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