By Al Cohen
Philadelphia Phantoms Correspondent

The reigning East Division-champion Philadelphia Phantoms today announced they will open their 2004-05 American Hockey League season on Saturday, Oct. 16 in Hartford against the Atlantic Division-champion Wolf Pack. Philadelphia's home opener is then set for Friday, Oct. 22 at 7:05 p.m. at the Wachovia Center vs. last year's winner of the North Division, the Hamilton Bulldogs.

Philadelphia, which tied for the league lead in wins last season, remains in the Eastern Conference's East Division along with the Albany River Rats (New Jersey Devils affiliate), Binghamton Senators (Ottawa Senators), Bridgeport Sound Tigers (New York Islanders), Hershey Bears (Colorado Avalanche), Norfolk Admirals (Chicago Blackhawks) and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (Pittsburgh Penguins). The Phantoms will be facing a league-high 19 different teams in 2004-05, with 52 of their 80 games against fellow East Division foes. Thirty-two of Philadelphia's 40 home games are scheduled on weekends.

Philadelphia's two instate rivals - Hershey and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton - will be coming to town a combined 11 times this season. After losing all 12 meetings with the Phantoms in 2003-04, the Bears visit for the first time on Friday, Nov. 5 and also on Nov. 26 for the Phantoms' annual Friday-after-Thanksgiving game. Wilkes-Barre, which eliminated the Phantoms in the East Division Finals, will make its first trip to Philadelphia on Friday, Nov. 12.

Philadelphia's third-annual School Day Game is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 17 vs. Binghamton, as the 11:05 a.m. contest will take place in front of thousands of children from all across the Delaware Valley.

The Phantoms are playing their first two home games of the 2004-05 season at the Wachovia Center as their usual home, the Wachovia Spectrum, is hosting a major month-long event of which details will be announced shortly.

Philadelphia's longest homestand of the 2004-05 season is four games from Nov. 3-12, while a season-high five-game road trip is scheduled from Feb. 12-23. The Phantoms' final regular-season game will be at home on Sunday, April 17 vs. Binghamton.

The Phantoms are currently accepting season ticket and game plan deposits for the 2004-05 season. Call 215-465-4522 for more information, or log on to www.phantomshockey.com. Announcements regarding individual game on-sale dates, game plans, preseason games, theme nights and a television schedule are expected in the coming weeks.