PHANTOMS SLIP PAST PENGUINS

Philadelphia Wins 3-2, Goes To 4-0 On Season

Click Here for ticket information for Sunday's rematch with the Penguins!

WILKES-BARRE, PA – Boyd Kane scored the game-winning goal on a 5-on-3 power play in the third period as the Philadelphia Phantoms won their fourth consecutive game to start the 2007-08 season, taking a 3-2 decision over the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins at Wachovia Arena on Saturday night.

The Phantoms jumped on the board first once again, having done so now in all four games in the young season. Jonathan Matsumoto engineered the play, taking a puck down low to the left corner and heading towards the area behind the net. He snuck it in front just past the left post, where Kyle Greentree was able to lift it high past Penguins goaltender Ty Conklin at 11:03.

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton tied the game with a power-play goal at 14:23 of the period. Jeff Taffe was stationed between the circles when Tim Brent found him with a feed. The one-timer beat Brian Boucher to knot the contest.

The teams once again traded goals in the second period, with the Phantoms again striking first. Nate Guenin carried a puck down the right side and threw it across to Darroll Powe on the left wing. Powe went to the left-side faceoff dot before placing a shot to the top shelf over the glove of Conklin at 8:05.

But just over a minute later, the Penguins answered again, and again it was Taffe on the power play. His second of the night and fourth of the season – three of which have come against the Phantoms – came off a helper from Kristopher Letang and tied the game at 2-2 at 9:15.

The game-winner came at 4:13 of the third period. Ryan Potulny fired a slapshot from the high slot that Conklin stopped, but Kane was on the doorstep to knock home the rebound during the two-man advantage.

With 11:42 remaining in the third period, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton was awarded a penalty shot when the Phantoms were called for a thrown stick infraction on a Penguins rush. Tyler Kennedy did the honors, but was stoned by Boucher’s pad on the right post.

Boucher notched another win with 26 saves on 28 Penguins chances. The veteran netminder has been in the crease for all four wins, and through Saturday night’s action has a 1.50 goals-against average and a .952 save percentage. Conklin took the loss with 24 saves on 27 Phantoms chances.

The 4-0 start matches the best four-game commencement of a season in Phantoms franchise history. The last time the Phantoms won their first four games was in the 2001-02 season, when the team sprinted to a 7-1 start out of the gate.

The Phantoms close out the home-and-home set with the Penguins at the Wachovia Spectrum on Sunday evening at 6:05. Come help the Phantoms recognize the Phantoms Platoon and welcome Master Sergeant James Brown to the game. Tickets are available at the Wachovia Complex box office, online at ComcastTIX.com or phantomshockey.com, or by phone at 1-800-298-4200.

Phantoms season tickets and game plans are still available for the 2007-08 season. Fans can secure the same great seat at a discount for 6, 10, 20 or prorated season tickets for Phantoms home games this season while receiving an impressive list of exclusive benefits. Packages start as low as $60!

For more information or to make a deposit, call the Phantoms at 215-465-4522 during normal business hours. Single-game tickets for the entire season are available via ComcastTIX at www.phantomshockey.com, with kids tickets only $10 for any seat, any game, all season long. More information is also available at the Phantoms website, Phantomshockey.com

Saturday, October 13, 2007