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Phantoms Weekly

March 10, 2008 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Adirondack Phantoms News Release


WEEKEND RECAP

The Phantoms played just one game this weekend, a Friday night affair in Norfolk that they lost 4-2. The team then enjoyed its first full weekend off since the Christmas break and the first non-holiday-related weekend off since November 17-18. Over the weekend, Philadelphia's lead in the East Division shrunk to three points over the Albany River Rats, who are 10-2-1 in their last 13 games. The Phantoms have two games in hand over the River Rats, having played 64 games to Albany's 66. There is one game remaining between the two teams. It comes on the last day of the season, Sunday, April 13, at the Wachovia Spectrum.

UPCOMING OPPONENTS

Tuesday, March 11- Phantoms vs. Norfolk Admirals, 7:05: This will be the ninth of 10 games scheduled between the Phantoms and the Admirals (Tampa Bay Lightning) this season. The Phantoms currently lead the season series with a record of 5-3. These two teams faced off this past Friday night. Marc Denis was the hero for the Admirals in that game, making 42 saves on 44 shots to receive 1st star honors.

Friday, March 14 - Phantoms vs. Hershey Bears, 7:05: This will be the eighth installment in the 12-game season series between the Phantoms and the Hershey Bears (Washington Capitals). The Phantoms are currently 5-2 against the Bears this season. In the last meeting between these two teams, the Phantoms found themselves down three goals in the first period, but answered with five consecutive goals to notch a 5-3 victory. Boyd Kane had a four-point night against his former team, with two goals and two assists.

Saturday, March 15- Phantoms at Bridgeport Sound Tigers, 7:00: This will be the sixth match-up between the Phantoms and the Sound Tigers (New York Islanders). The last meeting between these two clubs was decided in a shootout. Jeff Tambellini scored with 47.5 seconds left in regulation to force overtime, and Mike Morrison was able to deny all four shots for the Phantoms in the shootout and give the Sound Tigers a 4-3 victory.

Sunday, March 16- Phantoms vs. Portland Pirates, 5:05: This will be the only visit to the Wachovia Spectrum this season for Portland (Anaheim Ducks). The Pirates hosted the Phantoms back in November for the team's only meeting so far this season. This game was tied after regulation, and 59 seconds into overtime, Andrew Ebbett found the net for the Pirates to give them a 3-2-overtime victory. Kyle Greentree and Darren Reid scored for the Phantoms in that game. The Pirates are currently 39-29-2-4 for 84 points, which puts them in a tie for 2nd place in the Atlantic Division. Cherry Hill native Bobby Ryan, Anaheim's first-round pick with the second overall selection in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft, could possibly play his first game at the Wachovia Spectrum. Ryan was recalled by Anaheim over the weekend, his third call-up to the big club this season.

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

PHANTOMS RESET

The Phantoms are 38-21-2-3 for 81 points through 64 games. In the East Division, Philadelphia is three points ahead of Albany, six ahead of Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, nine ahead of Hershey and 12 ahead of Bridgeport. The Phantoms are ranked fourth in the Eastern Conference and sixth in the AHL.

Comparisons to past years through 64 games:

2007-08: 38-21-2-3, 81 points

2006-07: 25-31-2-6, 58 points

2004-05: 37-21-2-4, 80 points

1997-98: 40-17-1-6, 87 points

1996-97: 42-13-2-7, 93 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

Although the Phantoms are 2-4-0-1 in their last seven games, history suggests there is plenty of time for the team to turn things around. Two of the teams we have been tracking throughout the season - the 1996-97 team and the 1997-98 squad - also hit bumps in their roads around this time of year.

2007-08: 2-4-0-1 in games 58-64

1996-97: 3-4-0-2 in games 63-71

1997-98: 1-4-1-1 in games 61-67; 3-5-2-1 in games 61-71

BRING YOUR APPETITES

This Tuesday night is Dollar Dog Night at the Wachovia Spectrum when the Norfolk Admirals come for a visit at 7:05! You can get all the hot dogs your heart desires for just a dollar apiece. Also, fans who attended last Tuesday's game against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton can redeem their ticket stub for a free ticket to tomorrow night's contest under the Phantoms Guaranteed Win Night promotion.

KUTLESS HEADLINES FAITH AND FAMILY NIGHT

Critically-acclaimed Christian rock band Kutless will be front and center this Friday, March 14 as part of the Phantoms annual Faith and Family Night when the Hershey Bears visit the Wachovia Spectrum. Kutless will play a postgame concert at center ice, and admission to the concert is included with a ticket to the game.

SUNDAY IS PHLEX'S BIRTHDAY!

Come out and celebrate with the Phantoms as Phlex turns 12! The party takes place on Sunday when the Phantoms host the Portland Pirates at 5:05. All of Phlex's mascot friends will be coming out for a great night of mascot fun.

Tickets for all three of this weekend's games are still available! Visit www.phantomshockey.com for more details.

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 WRAP UP READING TOUR THIS WEEK

The Phantoms will finish their reading tour on Wednesday when Pete Zingoni reads to children at Riverside Elementary School in Riverside, NJ at 1:30 PM. With Zingoni's appearance, 21 Phantoms players will have read to classes at 20 different schools throughout the greater Philadelphia region since the program began in the second week of February. Media are invited to cover and should contact Phantoms PR for specific information.

DIVISONAL DUTIES

The Phantoms have played ten games in a stretch of 13 consecutive against East Division opponents. So far, Philadelphia is 4-4-1-1. The stretch comes to a close this week with games against Norfolk, Hershey and Bridgeport. Beginning Sunday against Portland, the Phantoms play four of their next five against out-of-division foes, including a home-and-home with Hartford, before wrapping up the season with eight consecutive East Division matchups between March 28 and the April 13 season finale against Albany.

LALIBERTIE NOMINATED FOR PLAYER OF THE WEEK

The Phantoms nominated center David Laliberte for Rbk/AHL Player of the Week honors this week. Laliberte had his first multi-point professional game on Friday in Norfolk, posting a goal and an assist for the good guys. A fourth-round draft pick of the Flyers in 2004, Laliberte has three goals and nine assists in 25 games for the Phantoms during his rookie professional season. He's split time this year between Philadelphia and ECHL Wheeling, where he has 10 goals and 14 assists for 24 points in 27 games for the Nailers.

NOTES

In their last four losses, the Phantoms have averaged 37 shots per game. In their last four wins, they have averaged 27 shots per game... This is just the second time this season the Phantoms have recorded three consecutive losses. Last time it happened was Dec. 1-7, and the third loss in the chain was also to Norfolk. After the last three-loss stretch, the Phantoms won six of their next seven.

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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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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