By Brian Smith
Philadelphia Phantoms Correspondent

PHILADELPHIA - The Hamilton Bulldogs brought a potent offense into the Wachovia Spectrum Friday night, using two power play goals and a 39-18 shot advantage to take a 3-1 victory over the Philadelphia Phantoms. John Slaney was held without a point on the evening, sending him into tomorrow night's game at Syracuse still needing two points to become the American Hockey League's all-time leading scoring defenseman.

Hamilton jumped out to a 3-0 lead over the first 50 minutes of the game before the Phantoms were able to get on the board. The Bulldogs started the scoring at the 5:32 mark of the third period while operating on the power play. Marc-Antoine Pouliot sent a shot towards the net from the left point that was redirected by Jean-Francois Jacques and found its way just inside the right post behind Phantoms goaltender Martin Houle.

The lead expanded to 2-0 just 55 seconds into the second period. Brad Winchester dug a puck out of the left corner and directed it towards Corey Locke, who blasted a one-timer past Houle's glove. Francois Lemieux then pushed the lead to 3-0 at 4:09 of the third period with another power play tally.

Philadelphia broke the shutout at 9:39 of the third period. Joey Hope played a puck out in front to Charlie Cook, who passed it along to Eric Chouinard. Chouinard roofed a wicked wrister past Hamilton netminder Yann Danis to make it a 3-1 game and close out the scoring.

Hamilton was granted nine power play opportunities to Philadelphia's six. The game saw the end of the Phantoms two-game winning streak, as well as the conclusion of a nine-game stretch in which Philadelphia had outshot its opponent. The 18 shots tied a season low for the Phantoms, which was originally set on November 19 in the 7-2 loss to Hershey that saw Philadelphia face 18 Bears power plays.