Phantoms win sixth straight AHL attendance title
Published on April 6, 2002 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Adirondack Phantoms News Release
(PHILADELPHIA, April 6, 2002) - It went down to the wire this year, but with 14,528 fans attending tonight's 4-2 victory over the Norfolk Admirals during Fan Appreciation Night at the First Union Spectrum, the Philadelphia Phantoms locked up their sixth straight American Hockey League attendance title. Over 40 home games, Philadelphia finished with an average of 8,450 fans per game, 113 more than the second-place Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (8,337).
The Phantoms totaled 12 crowds of at least 10,000 people and own four of the top six attendance figures in the league this season. Philadelphia drew its largest crowd on March 29, when 15,043 fans attended a 2-0 win over the Albany River Rats on John LeClair Bobblehead Doll Night. It was the third-highest total in the AHL and eclipsed the then previous club mark of 14,505 established on Feb. 2, a 1-1 tie vs. the defending AHL champion Saint John Flames at the First Union Center.
Other highlights included a total of 14,202 people witnessing a 3-1 triumph over the rival Hershey Bears on Dec. 28; 13,329 fans attending a 1-1 deadlock vs. Hershey at the First Union Center on Jan. 20; and crowds of 12,390 and 12,676 over a six-day span (Feb. 24 & March 1).
"This is a tribute to the Phantoms staff and all their hard work and dedication," said team vice president Peter Casey. "It also affirms once again that Phantoms fans are the most loyal and supportive in the league. We have had a great first six years in the AHL and look forward to many more years of success on the ice and in the stands."
PHANTOMS REGULAR SEASON ATTENDANCE HISTORY
SEASON ATTENDANCE GAMES AVERAGE AHL RANK
1996-97 367,680 40 9,182 1
1997-98 472,392 40 11,809 1
1998-99 480,106 40 12,003 1
1999-00 401,556 40 10,038 1
2000-01 342,849 40 8,571 1
2001-02 338,009 40 8,450 1
The Phantoms wrap up the regular season on Sunday when they travel to take on the Hershey Bears. The game will be televised live at 6:00 p.m. on CN8, the Comcast Network. Philadelphia has already locked up a playoff spot for the sixth year in a row and is still waiting to find out its first opponent.
Tickets to all Phantoms home playoff games are $13, $17 and $19 for adults, and $8 for all children 14 and under, and are available now at the First Union Center box office and all Ticketmaster locations throughout the Delaware Valley. Tickets can also be charged by phone by calling (215) 336-2000 or (856) 338-9000 or online at www.ticketmaster.com
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American Hockey League Stories from April 6, 2002
