Phantoms weekly

Published on February 6, 2006 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Adirondack Phantoms News Release


WEEK IN REVIEW

Friday, Feb. 3: Hershey 4, Phantoms 3, SO - The Phantoms erased a 3-0 first intermission deficit over the second and third periods, but fell in the shootout to the Bears by a 4-3 final. Jakub Klepis started the scoring for Hershey just 33 seconds in, and goals from Colin Forbes and Tomas Fleischmann gave Hershey the early advantage. But the Phantoms clawed back, beginning with a goal from Ryan Ready at 3:23 that triggered the release of hundreds of teddy bears from the Spectrum seats on the team's annual Teddy Bear Toss night. Philadelphia pulled within a goal on a shorthanded tally by David Printz later in the period, and then tied it when Stefan Ruzicka scored halfway through the third frame. The Phantoms jumped out to the early lead after the first round of the shootout, but the next three Bears players beat Jamie Storr while Frederic Cassivi allowed no further scoring after the first round. Storr made 22 saves on 25 shots, while Cassivi stopped 28 of 31.

Saturday, Feb. 4: Hershey 3, Phantoms 0 - Frederic Cassivi stopped all 29 shots he faced to lead Hershey to a 3-0 win in the back half of the home-and-home series at the GIANT Center. Owen Fussey, Jakub Klepis, and Tomas Fleischmann scored for Hershey, with Rejean Beauchemin making 25 saves in absorbing the loss.

UPCOMING OPPONENTS

Wednesday, Feb. 8: Phantoms vs. Wilkes-Barre, 7:05 - The Phantoms play host to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (Pittsburgh Penguins) in the first of four Wednesday night home games scheduled for this season at the Wachovia Spectrum. Wilkes-Barre continues to lead the way in the AHL standings with a record of 35-7-3-2 for 75 points, one ahead of the Western Conference-leading Grand Rapids Griffins. It's the sixth game of the season between the two clubs, with the Phantoms holding a record of 0-4-0-1 in the previous five. The Penguins continue to have the best goal differential in the league at plus-72 (169 GF, 97 GA). Matt Hussey leads Wilkes-Barre in scoring with 36 points (36:14-22-36) while Alain Nasreddine is a plus-23, second-best in the league. The game again pits the league's top two penalty-minute recipients against one another in Dennis Bonvie (271) and Josh Gratton (257).

Friday, Feb. 10: Phantoms at Grand Rapids, 7:00 - The Phantoms journey to the Midwest for two games this weekend, the first of which comes Friday vs. the Grand Rapids Griffins (Detroit Red Wings). The meeting is the first of the season between the two teams and just the seventh all-time since Grand Rapids joined the AHL in 2001. The Griffins enter the week atop the Western Conference with a record of 35-12-1-3 for 74 points. They have gone seven games without a regulation loss (6-0-0-1) and have posted a record of 8-1-0-1 in their last 10 contests. Grand Rapids has scored 204 goals as a team this season, more than any other team in the league. Center Donald MacLean leads the league with 34 goals and has registered a point in 20 of his last 21 games. The Griffins are on pace to claim 54 wins and 116 points, both of which would break the respective franchise records of 53 and 113 set by their 2000-01 squad during an 82-game IHL season. They have just one regulation loss in both their last 12 home games (10-1-1-0) and their last nine road contests (7-1-0-1).

Saturday, Feb. 11: Phantoms at Chicago, 8:00 - In a rematch of last year's Calder Cup Finals, the Phantoms and Chicago Wolves (Atlanta Thrashers) will meet at Allstate Arena on Saturday night. Chicago has fallen on hard times similar to those of the Phantoms, entering this week in sixth place in the West Division with a record of 17-21-2-6 for 42 points. Ramzi Abid leads the team in scoring with 49 points (42:24-25-49).

Sunday, Feb. 12: Phantoms vs. Springfield, 6:05, Wachovia Center - The Phantoms and the Springfield Falcons (Tampa Bay Lightning) get together for the second time this season. Philadelphia lost the last meeting, 3-2, in Springfield on Oct. 30. The Falcons are in sixth place in the Atlantic Division with a record of 17-23-2-6 for 42 points. It's the first meeting between the teams since a Jan. 17 reassignment swap that saw Dan Cavanaugh go to the Falcons and Jim Campbell come to Philadelphia.

NIITTYMAKI GIVEAWAY SUNDAY

On Sunday when the Phantoms host the Springfield Falcons at the Wachovia Center, the first 4,000 fans will receive an Antero Niittymaki MVP Figurine courtesy of Toyota! This collectible features Niittymaki making a kick save in his Phantoms jersey. Photos of the statue will be posted on www.phantomshockey.com later this week.

Tickets for both of this week's home games are still available and can be purchased online at www.phantomshockey.com or by phone at (215) 336-2000, (856) 338-9000 or (302) 984-2000.

OLYMPIC JERSEYS NEXT WEEK

Next Friday, February 17, the Phantoms will be wearing replicas of the jerseys worn by the 1980 gold medal US Olympic Team in Lake Placid, NY. The jerseys will be auctioned off following the game. In addition, the first 5,000 fans through the doors will receive an Olympic poster courtesy of Comcast SportsNet!

Fans are advised that the Feb. 17 game will be played in the Wachovia Center, which is a change from the original schedule. Season ticket holders should have already received replacement tickets for the game. Fans who have questions should contact their ticket rep or call the Phantoms main sales office at 215-465-4522.

HOCKEY ON THE TUBE

Two upcoming Phantoms games will be broadcast throughout the Delaware Valley on Comcast SportsNet, the last two of a four-game schedule this season. Sunday's contest with the Springfield Falcons will be carried on a one-hour delay, beginning at 7:00. Then on Friday, Feb. 17, the game with the Chicago Wolves will be carried live beginning at 7:05. Tim Saunders and Orest Kindrachuk will handle the broadcasting duties for both games. PHANTOMS TO BE HONORED TONIGHT

Tonight, the Phantoms will be honored with a Special Achievement Award at the Philadelphia Sports Writers Association's 102nd Annual Awards Dinner. The event pays tribute to athletes, coaches, scribes and other sports figures and teams for their accomplishments. Phantoms Chief Operating Officer Frank Miceli and head coach John Stevens will represent the Phantoms on the dais. As part of a special presentation, the Calder Cup will be on display at the banquet.

DO I HEAR A DOLLAR

This week, the Phantoms will be launching a new venture through the Ebay online auction service that will make several unique pieces of autographed memorabilia available for purchase! Items ranging from autographed programs and pucks to signed, game-used helmets, unused specialty jerseys, and signed sticks will make their way to the auction block over the coming weeks. Watch phantomshockey.com for the kickoff later this week!

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.

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American Hockey League Stories from February 6, 2006


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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