Phantoms Weekly

Published on March 3, 2008 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Adirondack Phantoms News Release


WEEKEND RECAP

The Phantoms earned a 1-1-0-1 record this weekend after heading to Wilkes-Barre and Albany following Friday's shootout loss to Binghamton. Philadelphia notched a 3-1 win over the Penguins on Saturday thanks to two power play goals by Ryan Potulny in the third period. Rory Fitzpatrick also recorded his first goal as a Phantom. In Albany on Sunday, the Phantoms held a 1-0 lead in the third period but lost to the second-place River Rats 2-1. Albany has points in eight straight games and is now seven points behind the Phantoms in the East Division.

UPCOMING OPPONENTS

Tuesday, March 4- Phantoms vs. Wilkes/Barre Scranton Penguins, 7:05: This will be the ninth game between the Phantoms and the Penguins (Pittsburgh Penguins) this season. The Phantoms currently lead the season series with a record of 6-2. That sixth win came this past Saturday night. The Penguins enter the week with a record of 33-24-0-3 for 69 points, which has them just a point ahead of Bridgeport in the race for the fourth and final playoff spot in the East.

Friday, March 7 - Phantoms at Norfolk Admirals, 7:15: This will be the eighth of ten games scheduled between the Phantoms and the Admirals (Tampa Bay Lightning) this season. The teams met seven times in the first three months of the season, but have not seen one another since December 27 when the Phantoms won 6-3 in Norfolk. Steve Downie, Pete Zingoni, Jesse Boulerice, Darroll Powe and Triston Grant all scored for the Phantoms in that game. Philadelphia has a 5-2 record against the Admirals so far this season.

Live audio and video broadcasts are available for every game at Phantomshockey.com.

PHANTOMS RESET

The Phantoms are 38-19-2-3 for 81 points through 62 games. The Phantoms have a seven point lead over Albany in the East Division, and are just six points behind AHL-leading Providence and Chicago. There are two other teams sandwiched between the Phantoms and the top of the pack.

Comparisons to past years through 62 games:

2007-08: 38-19-2-3, 81 points

2006-07: 24-30-2-6, 56 points

2004-05: 36-20-2-4, 78 points

1997-98: 40-15-1-6, 87 points

1996-97: 41-12-2-7, 91 points

Note: The 2004-05 and 1997-98 teams won Calder Cups; the 1996-97 team had the best regular-season record in team history.

2004-05 and later are W-L-OTL-SOL. 1996-97 and 1997-98 are W-L-OTL-T

The Phantoms equaled last season's total of 30 wins on February 1 and last season's total of 70 points on February 12.

The team needs 12 wins in its remaining 18 games to become the first team in franchise history to win 50 games in a season.

YOU WIN EITHER WAY

The Phantoms are putting their money where their sticks are tomorrow night when the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins come to town at 7:05. If the Phantoms don't win, every ticket stub to the game is good for a free ticket to the March 11 game vs. Norfolk, which is Dollar Dog Night at the Wachovia Spectrum.

LEADING THE WAY

Phantoms goaltender Scott Munroe has climbed back to the top of the AHL's goaltending rankings. His goals-against average of 2.06 is best among all AHL goaltenders. He reclaimed the top spot after Saturday's 3-1 victory in Wilkes-Barre.

HOW ABOUT THAT

Sunday's 2-1 loss at Albany marked two firsts for the season. It was the first time the Phantoms lost a game when leading after two periods, and was the first time the Phantoms went the entire game without being granted a power play opportunity. In the two games this weekend where they actually had power play opportunities, the Phantoms were 4-for-13 (30.1 percent). Also, the loss at Albany was Philadelphia's first regulation loss on the road since February 8.

NO LOVE FROM FAMILIAR FACES

Philadelphia was victimized by some of its former players this weekend. 2006-07 Phantom Niko Dimitrakos scored the game-winning shootout goal for Binghamton on Friday night. On Sunday, 2005-06 Phantoms Kiel McLeod and Marc Cavosie assisted on the game-tying and game-winning goals, respectively, for the Albany River Rats.

RECENT ALUMNI WATCH

Alexandre Picard and Brian Boucher are both off to good starts with their new teams. Picard was traded to Tampa Bay in the Vinny Prospal deal, and played just one game for AHL Norfolk before being recalled to the Lightning on February 27. He scored his first goal for the Lightning over the weekend and was a physical presence in three games for the team. Meanwhile, in his first appearance for the San Jose Sharks on Saturday night, Boucher recorded a 24-save shutout of the St. Lous Blues.

REST FOR THE WEARY

The Phantoms will reap some of the benefits this week of their grueling January schedule, which allowed them to get some games out of the way early. The team enjoys an NHL-style schedule this week, with only two games situated several days apart on Tuesday and Friday. The team is off both Saturday and Sunday, the first time that's happened since the Christmas break.

BOB CLARKE TICKET PACKAGES STILL AVAILABLE

The Phantoms have two ticket packages available commemorating the induction of Bob Clarke into the Phantoms Hall of Fame on March 30. Both packages include four lower-level tickets to the March 30 game for the Hall of Fame induction, as well as an autographed Clarke item. One package also includes four tickets to the April 6 Phantoms game and a behind-the-scenes tour of the Wachovia Spectrum. For more information, vist Phantomshockey.com or call 215-465-4522.

PHANTOMS READING TOUR CONTINUES THIS WEEK

The Phantoms reading program continues this week when Phantoms leading scorer Jared Ross reads to a group of nearly 100 youngsters at Vanzant Elementary School in Marlton, NJ. The Magic Hockey Stick is on the docket and will begin at 1:30 PM. This is the 20th reading appearance by a Phantoms player since the team kicked off the program in February. Media wishing to cover should contact Phantoms PR for specific information.

DIVISONAL DUTIES

The Phantoms have played eight games in a stretch of 13 consecutive against East Division opponents. So far, Philadelphia is 4-2-1-1 for 10 out of a possible 16 points. The stretch comes to a close when the Phantoms visit Bridgeport on March 15. The team then plays four of its next five against out-of-division opponents before wrapping up the season with eight consecutive East Division matchups between March 28 and the April 13 season finale.

NOMINATIONS

With the turn of a calendar page comes several nominations for American Hockey League monthly awards in addition to the customary weekly nomination.

The Phantoms nominated center Ryan Potulny for Rbk/AHL Player of the Week honors this week. Potulny led the Phantoms this weekend with two goals and an assist in the three games played. His two goals both came on Saturday in Wilkes-Barre and were of the power play variety. His efforts earned him first star honors.

On the monthly slate, the Phantoms nominated center Jared Ross for AHL Player of the Month consideration. Ross led the Phantoms in scoring in February despite missing the first two games of the month while recovering from an appendectomy. Ross had four goals and eight assists for 12 points in the 11 games he did play.

Left wing Kyle Greentree gets the team's nod for AHL Rookie of the Month consideration. Greentree had five goals and three assists for eight points in ten games this month as he leapt into second place on the Phantoms in scoring. Those five goals led all Phantoms in February. The second month of the year also saw Greentree make his NHL debut with the Flyers, an occasion which sent his hometown of Victoria, BC into a frenzy.

Finally, the Phantoms nominated Scott Munroe for AHL Goaltender of the Month consideration for February. Munroe charged back to the top of the AHL's goals-against list this month with a record of 4-1-0-1 in five appearances. Over the course of the month, Munroe established a 2.02 goals-against average and a .933 save percentage while also recording his third shutout of the season.

PHANTOMS HOCKEY ON THE INTERNET

The Phantoms have teamed up with the Philadelphia Area Dodge Dealers to provide free audio broadcasts of all Phantoms games, home and away, this season. The Phantoms official website, Phantomshockey.com, in conjunction with league and team partner B2 Networks, will provide the home for the audio. In addition to the games, Dodge will also bring the ever-popular Coaches Corner to fans on Phantomshockey.com. New editions of the weekly sit-down with Phantoms head coach Craig Berube will be posted to the site every Tuesday.

WATCH THE GAMES THROUGH B2

Every Phantoms game this season is being broadcast with streaming video through the league's partnership with B2 Networks. A ticket for the game is $6, which allows fans to watch the game via a broadband Internet connection from their own homes! Visit www.phantomshockey.com for more details.

TICKET INFORMATION

All kids tickets for all Phantoms games are just $10. To purchase, go to phantomshockey.com or call 1-800-298-4200.

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American Hockey League Stories from March 3, 2008


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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