Phantoms Weekly

May 9, 2005 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Adirondack Phantoms News Release


The Phantoms captured the first two games of the best-of-seven East Division Finals at home last week before dropping Game Three in Wilkes-Barre on Saturday. In Game One, Jon Sim recorded a goal and two assists to lead Philadelphia to a 4-1 triumph. Jeff Carter and Todd Fedoruk each added a goal and an assist, while Antero Niittymaki made 17 saves as the Phantoms improved to 11-7 all-time in the opener of a playoff series. Andy Chiodo started in goal for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and surrendered three goals on 15 shots in 33 minutes of play before being replaced by Marc-Andre Fleury. On Friday, Niittymaki stopped 30-of-31 shots in another 4-1 victory over the Penguins. Joni Pitkanen, Sim, Carter and Eric Meloche all scored, while Mike Richards and Patrick Sharp each contributed two assists. Fleury registered 22 saves in the loss. The series shifted to Wilkes-Barre on Saturday and the Penguins posted a 3-1 win behind 19 saves by Chiodo. Following two scoreless periods, Colby Armstrong and Matt Hussey scored 20 seconds apart early in the third as Wilkes-Barre took command. Sharp tallied Philadelphia's lone goal on the power play late in the third and Niittymaki finished with 22 saves. Game Four is set for Tuesday in Wilkes-Barre, while Philadelphia will host Game Five on Friday at 7:05 p.m.

RICHARDS SIGNS & CONTRIBUTES RIGHT AWAY
Center Mike Richards signed an amateur tryout contract with the Phantoms on May 3 and made an immediate impact on the team. The 6-0, 192-pound center scored a goal in his first game as a professional the following day and then registered two assists on Friday to help Philadelphia take a 2-0 lead over Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in the East Division Finals. Richards was named a Second Team OHL All-Star this season after recording 22 goals and 36 assists for 58 points and 75 penalty minutes in just 43 games for the Kitchener Rangers. Also this season, Richards captained the gold-medal winning Team Canada in the World Junior Championships, which also included teammate and fellow Flyers 2003 first-round draft pick Jeff Carter.

HOME AWAY FROM HOME
The Phantoms have compiled a combined 10-1 record this season when playing at their other home arena, the Wachovia Center. The team sported a 5-1 mark in six regular-season contests there before going 5-0 thus far in the Calder Cup Playoffs. Philadelphia is now 17-8 all-time when playing at the Wachovia Center during the postseason.

PHANTOMS MATCH RECORD FOR LONGEST HOME WIN STREAK
Philadelphia's current five-game home playoff win streak is tied for the longest in club history, matching the record set during the 1999 postseason (May 7-22 vs. Kentucky & Rochester).

PENALTY-KILLING UNIT ON FIRE
Philadelphia owns a 2-1 lead in the division finals thanks to the play of its penalty-killing unit, which has denied Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on all 13 of its power-play opportunities. In nine total playoff games this spring, the Phantoms are 49-for-52 on the penalty kill, which ranks second in the league (94.2 percent).

PLAYOFF FACTS
* Wilkes-Barre/Scranton has not scored a goal during the first or second period of the East Division Finals.
* Philadelphia is 5-for-12 on the power play vs. the Penguins so far.
* The Phantoms have outscored their opposition 10-3 in the second period this postseason, but just 15-13 in the first and third periods combined.
* A different Phantom has scored the game-winning goal in each of the team's six victories this postseason.
* Philadelphia is now 1-6 all-time in playoff games in Wilkes-Barre.
* The Phantoms are 51-36 all-time in postseason play, including a 31-15 mark at home.
* Todd Fedoruk, Ben Eager, Josh Gratton, R.J. Umberger and Mike Richards have all scored their first career playoff goals this postseason.

PHANTOMS AMONG THE POSTSEASON LEAGUE LEADERS (thru 5/8)
* Jeff Carter is tied for first in goals (6), tied for fifth in points (9) and tied for second in shots (33). He is also first among rookies in goals, points and shots, and tied for first in plus/minus (+4) and power-play goals (2).
* Josh Gratton is first in major penalties (3).
* Antero Niittymaki is first in wins (6), saves (270) and minutes (536:40), and third in goals-against average (1.68) and save percentage (.947).
* Dennis Seidenberg is tied for fourth among defensemen in points (5) and tied for fifth in assists (4).
* Patrick Sharp is tied for second in points (10) and tied for third in assists (7).
* Jon Sim is tied for first in power-play goals (3).
* R.J. Umberger is tied for ninth among rookies in points (4).
* The Phantoms are second in goals allowed per game (1.78), second in penalty killing (94.2 percent), fifth in goals per game (2.78) and seventh in power-play percentage (18.4).

TICKET INFORMATION
Individual tickets as well as 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.



American Hockey League Stories from May 9, 2005


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