Phantoms Weekly

Published on February 27, 2006 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Adirondack Phantoms News Release


WEEK IN REVIEW

Wednesday, Feb. 22: Phantoms 3, Binghamton 2, OT - Alexandre Picard tied the game early in the third period and then scored again at 3:15 in overtime to secure the win for the Phantoms. Steve Martins and Brandon Bochenski scored for the Senators, while Josh Gratton had Philadelphia's other goal. Martin Houle captured the win with 27 saves on 29 shots, while Billy Thompson turned aside 36 of 39.

Friday, Feb. 24: Phantoms 4, Grand Rapids 2- Riley Cote scored his first goal of the season just 2:58 into the first period, sparking the Phantoms to a 4-2 win over the Griffins. Darryl Bootland tied the game up on a power play goal at 11:35 of the opening frame, but it was the Phantoms who came out strong in the second period, with goals by Matt Ellison and Tony Voce. The Griffins made it interesting in the third period on a goal by Nate DiCasmirro at 12:55, but Brent Kelly sealed the deal with an empty net goal with 1:11 left on the clock. Jamie Storr was impressive in net for the Phantoms with 30 saves.

Saturday, Feb. 25: Phantoms 2, Hershey 1, SO - Martin Houle led the Phantoms to their third straight win with a season- and career-high 37 saves in a 3-2 shootout victory over the Hershey Bears. Hershey was in front for most of the game after a first period goal by Jakub Klepis, but Pat Kavanagh finally found the back of the net at 14:07 of the third off a Brent Kelly feed from the corner for his 17th goal of the season. Tony Voce and Matt Ellison tallied goals for the Phantoms in the shootout, while the Bears were unsuccessful on four attempts. Houle's 37 saves earned him first star honors.

UPCOMING OPPONENTS

Wednesday, March 1: Phantoms vs. Springfield, 7:05, Wachovia Center -This game was originally scheduled for Sunday, February 12, but was rescheduled due to inclement weather. This will be the second and final meeting for the two teams this season. The first meeting yielded Springfield a 3-2 victory back on October 30. The Falcons come into the game with a record of 19-30-2-6, good for 46 points and sixth place in the Atlantic Division.

Friday, March 3: Phantoms vs. Providence, 7:05, Wachovia Spectrum - After a 5-3 victory in their first outing with Providence, the Phantoms will look to secure another win this Friday as they play host to the Bruins for the second and final time this season. The last meeting between the teams was January 29, when the Phantoms scored three times in the second period and twice in the third. The Bruins come into the game with a record of 30-24-1-3 for 64 points, good for fourth place in the Atlantic division. The first 4,000 fans will receive an Antero Niittymaki figurine courtesy of Toyota. The former Phantoms netminder, now with the Flyers, was named the MVP of the 2006 Olympic Hockey Tournament.

Saturday, March 4: Phantoms at Hershey, 7:00, GIANT Center - For the second straight Saturday, the Phantoms will travel to the GIANT Center to take on the Hershey Bears in the ninth clash between the teams this season. This past Saturday, the Phantoms came home with the 2-1 shootout victory behind a phenomenal performance in net by Martin Houle. The Bears enter the game just six points behind the Wilkes Barre/Scranton Penguins for first place in the East Division. Their record is 34-16-2-8 for 78 points.

Sunday, March 5: Phantoms vs. Toronto Marlies, 6:05, Wachovia Spectrum - The Phantoms will play host to the visiting Toronto Marlies in the first-ever game between the teams. The Marlies are in 4th place in the North Division with a record of 30-22-4-2 for 66 points. The first 4,000 kids 14 and under will receive a Phantoms Puzzle Bank courtesy of Wachovia. Also, if the Phantoms pull out the win, every fan in attendance will receive a free ticket for the March 12 game against Hartford.

Tickets for all three 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.

MAKUEP GAME SET FOR WEDNESDAY

The makeup date for the Sun., Feb 12 postponed game against the Springfield Falcons is this Wednesday, March 1 at 7:05 PM at the Wachovia Center. Tickets purchased for the Feb. 12 game will be honored at the game on March 1. Also, tickets may be exchanged for any other game this season at the original point of purchase provided the exchange is made no later than Wednesday. Fans who have questions can call the Phantoms at 215-465-4522.

GIVEAWAY WEEKEND WITH THE PHANTOMS

The Phantoms are giving away two fantastic items prior to this weekend's contests. On Friday, 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. Niittymaki was the MVP of the 2005 Calder Cup Playoffs, and earned the same honor in the hockey tournament at the 2006 Winter Olympics.

On Sunday, the first 4,000 kids 14 and under will receive a Phantoms Puzzle Bank courtesy of Wachovia. Also that night, if the Phantoms pick up a win, all fans in attendance will receive a free ticket to the March 15th game vs. Hartford. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.phantomshockey.com .

HOULE NOMINATED FOR AHL PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Martin Houle was Philadelphia's nominee for CCM Vector/AHL Player of the Week honors this week. Houle won both games he started last week, both of which required an overtime decision. On Wednesday, he made 27 saves on 29 shots in a 3-2-overtime win over Binghamton. Then on Saturday, Houle made a career-high 37 saves on 38 shots before stopping all four shots in the shootout in a 2-1 shootout win over Hershey. He did not give up an even strength goal in either game, with all three goals against coming on the power play. On the week, Houle had a goals-against average of 1.41 and a save percentage of .955.

PHANTOMS PHODDER

The Phantoms are on a three-game winning streak, their longest since a season-high four-game streak from Nov. 26 to Dec. 2.... Philadelphia's win over Grand Rapids on Friday was the club's first ever win over the Griffins at home. Previously, the Phantoms were 0-3 against Grand Rapids in Philadelphia, with two losses at the Spectrum and one at the Wachovia Center... Stefan Ruzicka's six-game assist streak came to an end on Saturday when he was held without a helper in Hershey. The streak marks the longest of the season for the Phantoms. Ruzicka posted eight assists over the six-game span... Saturday's win over Grand Rapids was just the second time in the past nine home games that the Phantoms had not gone to overtime. Coincidentally, both regulation wins in that nine game span came against the top teams in the league at that time. The other was a 3-2 win over Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Feb. 8.

OUT AND ABOUT WITH THE PHANTOMS

A host of players will be in the community this week reading to youngsters in celebration of Dr. Seuss's birthday and the National Education Association's Read Across America initiative scheduled for this week. On Tuesday, Charlie Cook will appear at Holy Family School and Kiel McLeod visits Mast Community Charter School, while Triston Grant heads to Frankford Friends School. All Philadelphia-based appearances are slated for 1:30 PM. Also on Tuesday, BJ Abel will read to children in Riverside, NJ at Riverside Elementary at 1:15 PM. Then on Thursday, Dr. Seuss's birthday, Joey Hope will read to kids at Beeler Elementary School in Marlton, NJ at 6:15, while Marc Cavosie reads at Cornwells Elementary School in Bensalem at 7:00. For more information, please contact the Phantoms at 215-952-5294.

USA, USA, USA

Last week, the Phantoms announced the totals from the Feb. 17 auction of the game-worn 1980 USA Hockey replica jerseys the team wore in that night's game against Chicago. The 28 jerseys brought in a total of $21,850, with the jerseys of Jim Campbell and Wade Skolney sharing top honors at $1,200 each. A portion of the proceeds from the jersey sale will go to Phantoms Charities, a division of the Comcast-Spectacor Foundation, to benefit organizations throughout the Delaware Valley.

NIITTYMAKI WINS SILVER

On the heels of winning the AHL's top prize last season and being named the 2005 Calder Cup MVP, Antero Niittymaki backstopped Finland to silver at the 2006 Winter Olympic Games and was named the Tournament MVP. Niittymaki was also tagged to the Media All-Star Team and Best Goalie. He led all goaltenders in save percentage (stopping 156 of 164 shots against for .951 save percentage) and tied for first among goaltenders in goals-against average with a 1.34 GAA (tied with Evgeni Nabokov - allowed eight goals in 359 minutes played). Niittymaki, 5-1 in the Games, was one of 38 former AHL'ers to take home a medal from Turin.

PHANTOMS AUCTIONS UNDERWAY

A new slate of auctions is scheduled to hit The Phantoms Attic on Tuesday. Among the highlights include jerseys from past and former players, along with much more! The Phantoms Attic is an online store hosted by the Ebay auctions site, and can be accessed through www.phantomshockey.com.

PHANTOMSHOCKEY.COM

Don't forget to check out www.phantomshockey.com every day for the latest news on the Philadelphia Phantoms! Listen to the weekly Coach's Show or catch the comments from John Stevens after each home game on the official web site of the Phantoms.

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 27, 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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