Phantoms Weekly
October 17, 2005 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Adirondack Phantoms News Release
Philadelphia enjoyed a light week, with its lone game coming on Saturday, Oct. 15 against Albany in a 1:00 matinee in New York's capital city. The Phantoms saw a seven-game winning streak against the River Rats come to a close in a 3-2 loss. Rookie Stefan Ruzicka powered the Phantoms offense, scoring twice in the third period. His second goal came on the power play at 17:24 of the third period, leaving the Phantoms with precious little time to go for the tie. With goaltender Jamie Storr on the bench in favor of the extra attacker, Ruzicka sought his third of the game, but Albany netminder Ari Ahonen held his ground. The game was actually the back end of a home-and-home, as the two tangled in Philadelphia last Sunday, with the result favoring the Phantoms, 4-2.
Saturday, Oct. 15 - Albany 3, PHANTOMS 2
Scoring Attn. Shots PIM PP W/L Goalie (SA-SV)
PHANTOMS 0-0-2 28 28 2-9 Storr (34-31)
River Rats 1-1-1 5447 34 34 2-8 Ahonen (28-26
River Rats: Clarckson, Tallackson, Pihlman
Phantoms: Ruzicka (2)
UPCOMING OPPONENTS
The Phantoms continue their season-high seven-game stretch this weekend with two games in Norfolk on Friday and Saturday nights. Both games start at 7:15 PM and will be available for online viewing through B2 Networks at www.phantomshockey.com. Following the Norfolk trip, the team leaves on Oct. 25 for a six-day, four-game trip through New England from Oct. 25-30 with stops in Lowell, Portland, Manchester and Springfield. The Phantoms return home to open the Wachovia Spectrum portion of their schedule on Nov. 4 versus the Hershey Bears, when they will raise their Calder Cup and Eastern Conference championship banners to the rafters.
END OF A STREAK
Saturday's 3-2 loss at Albany ended a seven-game win streak the Phantoms had assembled vs. the River Rats. Philadelphia won all six meetings between the teams last year and then beat Albany on Oct. 9 by a 4-2 count at the Wachovia Center. Prior to Saturday, the River Rats' last win over the Phantoms came on April 9, 2004 in Albany by a 5-3 score. The Phantoms haven't lost to Albany in Philadelphia in nearly five years, with the last such instance coming in a 5-2 setback on Dec. 9, 2000.
TAKIN' IT (RELATIVELY) EASY
The Phantoms have been working hard in the early part of the 2005-06 season, but have been doing most of that work at their practice facility. In terms of games, the opening weeks of the 2005-06 season rank as one of the least busy opening weeks in franchise history. The Phantoms have only played three games so far, and two of them were at home. The only other similar instance the Phantoms have seen was back at the start of the 2002-03 season, when the club opened at home vs. Rochester on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2002 and then was off for six days before playing a home-and-home with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Friday, Oct. 18 and Saturday, Oct. 19, 2002. It's a far cry from the busiest opening week in team history, which came during the 2001-02 season. The Phantoms started out that campaign with six games in nine nights from Oct. 5-13, 2001.
GETTING IT DONE
Center R.J.Umberger has had a solid start to the season. Umberger has registered points in all three games to form an early season three-game scoring streak. After assisting on the game-tying goal in the 4-3 overtime win over Binghamton on Oct. 8, Umberger went on to score a goal and pick up two more assists in the 4-2 win over Albany on Oct. 9. Umberger kept the streak going by assisting on Stefan Ruzicka's second goal in Saturday's 3-2 loss to the River Rats.
TALES FROM THE ROAD
The Phantoms are one game into a seven-game road stretch that is tied for the longest such run in team history. Only twice before have the Phantoms been away from home for this long of a period. During the 1999-200 season, the team went 4-3 during a seven-game tour from Jan. 29 - Feb. 12, 2000. In 2003-04, the club was 3-3-1 in a seven-game span from Feb. 21 - Mar. 6, 2004.
THE SHINING SLOVAK
Although Saturday's loss to Albany was disappointing from a results standpoint, it was a great night for Phantoms rookie Stefan Ruzicka. The right wing grabbed his first two professional goals in regular season play. Ruzicka, a 2003 third-round draft pick of the Flyers, did score a goal for the Phantoms in the 2004 Calder Cup Playoffs.
A HOCKEY LOVER'S DREAM
The Phantoms have teamed up with the Philadelphia Flyers for a one-of-a-kind ticket package. With The Hockey Lover's Package, you can see seven Phantoms games and three Flyers games for just $200 for adults or $100 for kids! Availability is limited, so call 215-465-4522 today for more information or to buy yours!
UPCOMING PROMOTIONS
Individual tickets are now on sale for all 2005-06 Phantoms home games, including the next home game, Friday, Nov. 4 vs. Hershey at the Wachovia Spectrum. The Phantoms will celebrate their 2005 Calder Cup Championship one final time with the raising of two banners - the 2004-05 Eastern Conference Champions and the 2004-05 Calder Cup Champions. Faceoff is at 7:05 PM.
PHANTOMS MEDIA GUIDES ARE IN
The 2005-06 Philadelphia Phantoms media guide is now available! The 132-page, full-color guide is packed with information on the current team, last year's team, and every team before it. Media members can get their complimentary copy by contacting the Phantoms PR office. Fans can order the guide for $12 plus shipping and handling by calling the Phantoms at 215-465-4522 or can pick up the guide at any home game.
PHANTOMSHOCKEY.COM
Don't forget to check out www.phantomshockey.com every day for the latest news on the Philadelphia Phantoms! In addition to press releases, player bios and schedules, you can download wallpaper featuring your favorite player, try your hand at several games, and much more! Plans are underway for several exciting new features, including audio from coaches and players, a player blog, and other exciting content.
TICKET INFORMATION
Tickets to all Phantoms home games are $19, $18 and $14 for adults, and just $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 other great ticketing options!
UPCOMING GAMES
Date Opponent Site Time (ET)
Friday, Oct. 21 Norfolk Admirals Norfolk Scope 7:15 PM
Saturday, Oct. 22 Norfolk Admirals Norfolk Scope 7:15 PM
LAST WEEK'S RESULTS (0-1)
Date Opponent Site W-L Score
Saturday, Oct. 15 Albany River Rats Pepsi Arena L 3-2
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