By Al Cohen
Philadelphia Phantoms Correspondent

Mark Murphy and Tony Voce each recorded a goal and two assists as the Philadelphia Phantoms concluded preseason play with a 4-0 victory over their ECHL affiliate, the Trenton Titans, tonight at Sovereign Bank Arena.

Eric Meloche and Ben Eager also scored as Philadelphia posted its first win in four exhibition games this preseason. Neil Little started in goal and made nine saves over the first 32-plus minutes before Chris Houle came on and stopped 11 shots to complete the shutout.

Andrew Allen finished with 28 saves for the Titans, who were squaring off against the Phantoms for the first time.

Philadelphia opened the scoring 8:27 into the game during its second power play attempt. Defenseman Freddy Meyer began the sequence by sending the puck out wide to Voce in the far circle. The Northeast Philadelphia native skated in on goal before crossing it through the crease to Murphy for an easy tap-in.

Voce doubled the Phantoms lead with 2:24 left in the first period after Murphy fed him for a 2-on-2 rush from center ice. Using fellow rookie Eager as a decoy, Voce entered the Titans zone and uncorked a slap shot from the near circle that rang off the crossbar and in.

Meloche widened the gap to 3-0 with the lone goal of the second period. Rookies R.J. Umberger and Rosario Ruggeri worked the puck to the veteran forward, who darted down the far side and beat Allen with a hard slap shot from the middle of the far circle.

Eager capped the scoring with 3:17 remaining.

The Phantoms now begin the 2004-05 AHL season this Saturday at 7:05 p.m. in Hartford against the Wolf Pack. Philadelphia's home opener is set for Friday, Oct. 22 at 7:05 p.m. vs. the Hamilton Bulldogs at the Wachovia Center.

Phantoms Notes: Not dressed for the Phantoms were B.J. Abel, Dennis Seidenberg, Joni Pitkanen, Ben Stafford, Wade Skolney and Antero Niittymaki ... Murphy and Houle were among five Phantoms in tonight's lineup who played with Trenton earlier in their career.