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Phantoms Weekly

December 19, 2005 - American Hockey League (AHL) - Adirondack Phantoms News Release


Friday, Dec. 16: Hamilton 3, PHANTOMS 1 - The Bulldogs held Philadelphia to just 18 shots, tying a season-low, and capitalized on two of their nine power play chances to take a 3-1 win over the Phantoms at the Wachovia Spectrum. Hamilton had a 3-0 lead by the five-minute mark of the third period before Eric Chouinard put the Phantoms on the board at 9:39 of the final frame. Martin Houle took third star honors with 36 saves on 39 Hamilton chances.

Saturday, Dec. 17: Syracuse 4, PHANTOMS 3 (SO) - Eric Chouinard registered a hat trick to give the Phantoms a chance in the shootout, but they came up just short in a seven-round extra session and dropped a 4-3 shootout decision to the Crunch at the War Memorial at Oncenter. Chouinard powered the Phantoms to a 2-0 lead in the first period before Syracuse made it a 2-1 game at the intermission. His third of the night came in the second period and gave Philadelphia a 3-1 lead that was trimmed to a 3-2 advantage by the second break. But Syracuse was able to tie it in the third on their second power play goal of the evening, forcing extra time. The teams went scoreless in the overtime period and were tied 1-1 after five rounds of the shootout, setting the stage for Joe Motzko's game winner in the seventh round.

UPCOMING OPPONENTS

Friday, Dec. 23: Phantoms at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, 7:05 PM - The Phantoms meet the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins for the third time this season. Philadelphia has a regulation loss and a shootout loss to the league's top team, both of which came during the Penguins record-setting start of 23 games without a regulation loss. The Penguins recently underwent quite the shakeup when head coach Michel Therien and his entire coaching staff were called up to take over the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Baby Pens are 2-1 in three games under interim coaches Joe Mullen and Rick Kehoe.

SLANEY'S CHASE FOR HISTORY CONTINUES

John Slaney was held without a point in last week's games and remains two points away from becoming the American Hockey League's all-time leading scoring defenseman. Slaney's next chance comes against his old team, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, this Friday night. Mike Thornton will have the call of the game on 610WIP.com and the B2 Networks.

HARVESTING THE FARM

The injury woes that have plagued the Philadelphia Flyers have given several members of the Phantoms an opportunity to show the big club what they can do at the NHL level. Josh Gratton became the fifth Phantoms player to make his NHL debut this season, and also became the 14th member of the 2004-05 Calder Cup championship team and the 10th member of the 2005-06 squad to don the Flyers crest this season. A detailed rundown is as follows, with the date of their first appearance of the season with the Flyers.

MEMBERS OF 2004-05 CALDER CUP TEAM APPEARING FOR FLYERS (14)

1. Jeff Carter (Oct. 5)

2. Mike Richards (Oct. 5)

3. Jon Sim (Oct. 5)

4. Dennis Seidenberg (Oct. 5)

5. Joni Pitkanen (Oct. 5)

6. Patrick Sharp (Oct. 7)

7. Antero Niittymaki (Oct. 7)

8. Randy Jones (Oct. 8)

9. Wade Skolney (Oct. 11)

10. R.J. Umberger (Oct. 30)

11. Ryan Ready (Nov. 29)

12. Ben Eager (Nov. 30)

13. Freddy Meyer (Dec. 6)

14. Josh Gratton (Dec. 15)

MEMBERS OF 2005-06 PHANTOMS TEAM APPEARING FOR FLYERS (10)

1. Randy Jones (Oct. 8)

2. Wade Skolney (Oct. 11)

3. R.J. Umberger (Oct. 30)

4. Pat Kavanagh (Nov. 22)

5. Ryan Ready (Nov. 29)

6. Ben Eager (Nov. 30)

7. Jamie Storr (Dec. 3)*

8. Freddy Meyer (Dec. 6)

9. Eric Chouinard (Dec. 13)

10. Josh Gratton (Dec. 15)

* Jamie Storr has not appeared in game action for the Flyers, but will dress as a backup for the fifth time this season on Monday vs. Buffalo.

2005-06 PHANTOMS MAKING NHL DEBUT (5)

1. Wade Skolney (Oct. 11)

2. R.J. Umberger (Oct. 30)

3. Ryan Ready (Nov. 29)

4. Ben Eager (Nov. 30)

5. Josh Gratton (Dec. 15)

PASSING THE OPPORTUNITY

With several players called up for the Flyers trip to St. Louis on Saturday, the Phantoms looked to their ECHL affiliate in Trenton for some skaters. Mathieu Brunelle and Stephen Wood each made their first appearance of the season for Philadelphia on Friday vs. Hamilton, and then went along for Saturday's trip to Syracuse. Brunelle and Wood join Rosario Ruggeri and Martin Houle as players who have come to the Phantoms after starting the year in Trenton.

CHOUINARD NOMINATED FOR PLAYER OF WEEK

The Phantoms nominated Eric Chouinard for CCM Vector/AHL Player of the Week honors this week. Chouinard provided all of the Phantoms scoring on the week, netting a goal on Friday in the 3-1 loss to Hamilton and registering his first hat trick of the season in Saturday's 4-3 shootout loss to Syracuse.

PHANTOMS ALL-DECADE TEAM

Later this week, the Phantoms will announce the members of the organization's All-Decade Team. Keep in touch with www.phantomshockey.com throughout the week for the big announcement. Several elements will surround the All-Decade Team, including trading card sets, web features and oversized picture cards at upcoming home games.

HOLIDAY BREAK

The Phantoms are taking advantage of time to rest and recuperate during the holidays. Friday's tilt at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton is Philadelphia's only game this week. The team is nearing the end of a 16-day stretch from Dec. 11-27 in which it only plays two games.

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!

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!

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 obtain 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!

TICKET INFORMATION

All kids tickets for all Phantoms games are just $8. To purchase, go to phantomshockey.com and click tickets. To charge by phone, call (215) 336-2000, (856) 338-9000 or (302) 984-2000.

UPCOMING GAMES

Date Opponent Site Time (ET)

Friday, Dec. 23 Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins Wachovia Arena at Casey Plaza 7:05 PM

(Wilkes-Barre, PA)

LAST WEEK'S RESULTS

Date Opponent Site W-L Score

Friday, Dec. 16 Hamilton Bulldogs Wachovia Spectrum L 3-1

Saturday, Dec. 17 Syracuse Crunch War Memorial at Oncenter SOL 4-3 (SO)

SEASON RECORD: 13-15-0-3, 29 points, 4th, East Division

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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