Phantoms weekly

May 2, 2005 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Adirondack Phantoms News Release


The Phantoms eliminated the Norfolk Admirals in six games in the East Division Semifinals for the second year in a row. After winning the first two games of the best-of-seven series at home last weekend, Philadelphia lost two of three games in Norfolk before returning home to post a 4-2 victory in Game Six on Sunday. Patrick Sharp led Philadelphia with seven points, while rookie Jeff Carter totaled six, including a club-high four goals. All told, 17 skaters recorded at least one point, while Antero Niittymaki compiled a 1.85 GAA in the six games.

PHANTOMS VS. WILKES-BARRE/SCRANTON
The Phantoms went 4-6 vs. the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins during the regular season (3-2 at home, 1-4 on the road). Philadelphia began the season series with a pair of 3-2 shootout wins, as R.J. Umberger and Ben Stafford tallied the deciding goals on Nov. 12 and Dec. 1, respectively. Wilkes-Barre won twice in December to even the series before Philadelphia countered with a 4-3 shootout victory on Jan. 8. The Penguins then captured four straight meetings before Philadelphia ended the series with a 4-2 triumph on April 3.

In games vs. Wilkes-Barre, R.J. Umberger led Philadelphia in points (8), while Jon Sim contributed seven points and topped the club with five goals. Dennis Seidenberg had a club-high six assists and Antero Niittymaki went 3-4 with a 2.99 GAA. For the Penguins, Michel Ouellet (11 points) and Kris Beech (10) were the top scorers against Philadelphia. Ryan Whitney added a team-best nine assists and Marc-Andre Fleury was 5-3 with a 2.79 GAA.

Philadelphia is 35-24-3 all-time in regular-season play vs. the Penguins. The teams will be meeting in the playoffs for the third time, as Wilkes-Barre defeated the Phantoms in six games during the 2001 Western Conference Semifinals, as well as last year's East Division Finals.

PLAYOFF FACTS
* Four different Phantoms had the game-winning goal during the East Division Semifinals.
* The Phantoms are 49-35 all-time in postseason play, including a 29-15 mark at home.
* Philadelphia is now 15-8 mark when playing at the Wachovia Center during the postseason.
* When winning Game One, Philadelphia has won nine of 10 playoff series.
* The Phantoms are now 6-2 all-time in the division semifinals/conference quarterfinals.
* Jeff Carter is already tied for third on Philadelphia's all-time game-winning goals list with three.
* Philadelphia's penalty-killing unit was 36-for-39 vs. Norfolk.
* Todd Fedoruk, Ben Eager, Josh Gratton and R.J. Umberger all scored their first career playoff goals in the East Division Semifinals.

PLAYOFF RECORDS & MILESTONES
* Norfolk's 25 shots during the first period of Game Five is a record by a Philadelphia opponent, breaking the previous mark of 23 set by Albany in Game One of the 1998 Western Conference Finals and matched by Hershey in Game One of the 2000 Mid-Atlantic Division Semifinals.
* The Phantoms and Admirals' 33 combined shots during the first period of Game Five are also a new Philadelphia playoff record, eclipsing the former mark of 32 that was accomplished in Game Six of the 1997 Mid-Atlantic Division Finals at Hershey and Game Three of the 1998 Western Conference Semifinals at Hershey.
* Antero Niittymaki's 23 saves during the first period of Game Five broke Neil Little's record of 22 set in Game One of the 1998 Western Conference Finals vs. Albany.
* Boyd Kane had three assists during the third period of Game Six to tie Jim Montgomery's club record set in Game Four of the 1998 Western Conference Finals at Albany.
* Pavel Vorobiev (Game Five) and Ajay Baines (Game Six) became the sixth and seventh players to score two goals in a period vs. the Phantoms.

PHANTOMS AMONG THE POSTSEASON LEAGUE LEADERS (thru 5/1)
* Jeff Carter is tied for fourth in goals (4), tied for 10th in points (6) and tied for third in shots (25). He is also first among rookies in goals and shots and tied for first in points and plus/minus (+3).
* Antero Niittymaki is fifth in goals-against average (1.85), tied for first in wins (4), second in saves (201), third in save percentage (.948) and fifth in minutes (357:14).
* Dennis Seidenberg is tied for second among defensemen in points (5) and tied for fourth in assists (4).
* Patrick Sharp is tied for fourth in points (7) and tied for fifth in assists (5).
* R.J. Umberger is ninth among rookies in points (3).
* The Phantoms are second in goals allowed per game (1.83), third in penalty killing (92.3 percent) and fifth in goals per game (2.67).

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 FINALS (best-of-seven)
Date Opponent Site Time (ET)
Wednesday, May 4 W-B/Scranton Penguins Wachovia Center 7:05 p.m.
Friday, May 6 W-B/Scranton Penguins Wachovia Center 7:05 p.m.
Saturday, May 7 W-B/Scranton Penguins Wachovia Arena 7:05 p.m.
Tuesday, May 10 W-B/Scranton Penguins Wachovia Arena 7:05 p.m.
*May 12 or 13 W-B/Scranton Penguins Wachovia Center 7:05 p.m.
*Saturday, May 14 W-B/Scranton Penguins Wachovia Arena 7:05 p.m.
*May 16 or 17 W-B/Scranton Penguins Wachovia Center 7:05 p.m.

* if necessary

EAST DIVISION SEMIFINALS (won series 4-2)
Date Opponent Site W-L Score
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 L 3-1
Wednesday, April 27 Norfolk Admirals Norfolk Scope W 4-1
Friday, April 29 Norfolk Admirals Norfolk Scope L 4-1
Sunday, May 1 Norfolk Admirals Wachovia Center W 4-2



American Hockey League Stories from May 2, 2005


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