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Ice Hockey Spotlight:
Phantoms Win 13th Straight, 4-3, in Overtime

Saturday, November 20, 2004

By Kevin Kurz
Philadelphia Phantoms Correspondent

Jon Sim had two goals and an assist, including the game-winner in overtime, as the Philadelphia Phantoms extended their winning streak to 13 games with a 4-3 victory over the Albany River Rats at Pepsi Arena.

Philadelphia led 3-1 entering the third period, but a couple of quick goals by Dean McAmmond at 1:01 and Aleksander Suglobov at 1:45 tied the game. Sim won the game for the Phantoms at 1:30 of the overtime period, with the assists going to Freddy Meyer and Joni Pitkanen to make it a baker's dozen for the Phantoms as they continue to extend their franchise-record streak.

The winning streak is the longest in the AHL since Albany won 15 games in a row from Nov. 11-Dec. 23, 1995.

Sim, acquired on loan from the Utah Grizzlies in exchange for Peter White on Nov. 14, registered his first points as a Phantom while playing in his third game with the club.

Albany got on the board first during a two-man advantage when Bobby Allen registered his third goal of the season, but the Phantoms responded with two goals late in the frame to take the lead.

First, Eric Meloche got his second goal of the season while on a power play. Meloche found himself in perfect position after a shot by Meyer rebounded right to his stick and he poked it in with 97 seconds left.

The Phantoms were not done there, as Umberger scored his fifth of the season to give Philadelphia the lead. Tony Voce threw the puck on net from a bad angle and it bounced to Umberger, who lifted in a backhand past Scott Clemmensen at 19:12.

Umberger has now scored a goal in four of the last five games.

Neil Little got just his fourth start of the season in goal, and has won all four games. He stopped 23 shots while Clemmensen made 35 saves in a losing effort.

Philadelphia will play the Providence Bruins on Sunday afternoon at 4:05 p.m. at the Dunkin' Donuts Center before returning home to the Spectrum on Wednesday, Nov. 24 to host the Bruins.

PHANTOMS NOTES

Little was playing in Albany for the first time since January 11, 2002. ... Meyer returned to the lineup after missing the last two games due to suspension. ... The Phantoms improved to 6-9-2 all-time in Albany.


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