Game Story by Colleen Wolfe

Phantoms lead 5-1 over Hartford Wolf Pack

(Philadelphia, PA. Jan. 28, 2005) – The Philadelphia Phantoms must have been still hot from their 3-2 win over the Albany River Rats last Monday, when they ended tonight’s game against Hartford 5-1. This two-game series wrap-up with Hartford made this their first victory against the Wolf Pack out of their last four games together.

Ben Stafford scored two goals, Randy Jones, B.J. Abel and Ryan Ready also scored, while Boyd Kane and Todd Fedoruk each had two assists in front of the 10,921 fans at the Wachovia Spectrum. Philadelphia’s Antero Niittymaki blocked 28-of-29 shots from the Wolf Pack, causing their fifth out of seven game lose played on the road.

Unveiling their new purple third jerseys, Philadelphia scored the first goal in under a minute and a half thanks to Stafford and the assistance of Kane and Fedoruk. The Phantoms then proceeded to shoot another goal over the side of Hartford goalie Steve Valiquette’s left shoulder on a four-on-four position from defensman Randy Jones. Alone in the middle of the ice, Jones attempted a shot for the goal while R.J. Umberger and Patrick Sharp looked on from a corner of the rink.

With only 4.2 seconds to spare in the first period, the Wolf Pack decided to end their scoreless game. In another four-on-four situation, Jamie Lundmark handed the puck off to Jeff Hamilton whom tapped the puck right past Niittymaki to end the period at 2-1.

In a battle around the net during the second period, Riley Cote and Ben Eager controlled the puck and passed it to B.J. Abel. Missing the scoring opportunity, Abel quickly followed the puck back in for the two-point advantage over Hartford.

After a number of penalties for both teams, Hartford’s sole scorer of the game, Hamilton, missed a close shot potentially creating a comeback for the Wolf Pack in the third period. However this chance was lost yet again when Jones scored his second goal of the night on an empty net. The puck jumped from player to player producing the ping-pong effect that would make Valiquette temporarily lose sight of it. Kane, whom used to play for Hartford from 1998-2002, and Fedoruk, assisted for a second time in the game with the pass to Stafford, enabling him to score his second shot against the Wolf Pack.

“All of our lines are going and we played really responsible hockey,” said Stafford. “We’re making plays when we have to and Niittymaki had a big game with some big saves.”

With a little over two minutes left in the game, an extra man from Hartford was put on the ice when Valiquette was pulled from his goal. Ryan Ready took full advantage of his resources when John Slaney passed him the puck from the far corner, scoring on the empty net. Ready’s sixth goal of the season, made the final score 5-1.

Phantoms head coach John Stevens commented, “I thought we had two great practices this week. There have been weeks where our execution in practice has been good but the energy hasn’t been there. This week for two days, we probably had the best energy we had all year. I was encouraged by that and we carried that into the game tonight. We had quality play from all different areas of our team and the penalty killing in the third period was tremendous.”

The Phantoms next game will be at the Bridgeport Sound Tigers on Saturday, February 19 at 7:05 p.m.

Game Story by Geofree Capodanno

PHILADELPHIA – Goalie Cam Ward stopped all 28 shots he faced as the visiting Lowell Lock Monsters shutout the Philadelphia Phantoms, 1-0, at the Wachovia Spectrum on Friday night. The crowd of 7,146 watched Ward set a new Lock Monsters’ franchise milestone by recording his fifth shutout of the season. Ward received the game’s First Star for his performance.

On the other end of the ice, Phantoms’ goalie Antero Niittymaki was spectacular in goal as well. He turned away 22 of the 23 shots he faced, but received no offensive support from his teammates.

Lock Monsters’ center Mike Zigomanis scored the only goal of the game early in the first period. After skating into the Phantoms’ zone, left winger Ryan Bayda got a shot on goal that resulted in a long rebound for defenseman Danny Richardson. Richardson sent a cross-ice pass to Zigomanis, who one-timed the puck past Niittymaki for the goal. It was Zigomanis’ 20th goal scored on the year.

The Lock Monsters had the momentum in their favor following Zigomanis’ first period goal that carried well into the third period. Lock Monsters’ head coach Tom Rowe utilized a collapsing defense that allowed the Phantoms’ into their zone, only to have them force shots towards the goal or press them to make bad passes.

Phantoms’ right winger Mark Murphy gave credit to the defensive stands made by the Lock Monsters. “They did a good job breaking us up coming down the ice,” said Murphy. “They also did a great job in their zone.”

Poor puck management led to the Phantoms’ offensive woes in addition to the defensive strategies employed by the Lock Monsters. In the first period, the Phantoms had trouble moving the puck out their own zone and even turned the puck over several times around center ice. Puck management was a major issue in the second period as well, leading to several odd-man rushes that incited loud boos from the Phantoms’ fans.

Mark Murphy remarked on the Phantoms’ play versus their opponents’ overall effort. “They had a day of rest,” stated Murphy. “We had a lot of chances and…it’s just disappointing.”

It was not like the Phantoms did not have good chances to tie the game. Their best opportunity came when the Lock Monsters’ center and former second overall pick in the 2003 National Hockey League draft, Eric Staal, was penalized on a five-minute major for high sticking in the third period. The Phantoms managed to get a few chances to score, but squandered the rest of the time failing to set up in the Lock Monsters’ zone on the power play. The Phantoms’ highly touted defenseman Joni Pitkanen even turned over the puck two times allowing the Lock Monsters to have short-handed scoring opportunities.

During a post game interview, Phantoms’ head coach John Stevens commented on his team’s failure to capitalize on that crucial power play. “When you get a power play late in the game, you hope to at least get even there,” stated Stevens. “We had a couple of good looks at the net, but bottom line - the power play has got to score.”

Phantoms’ left winger and team captain Boyd Kane reflected on the positive points of the game. “They collapsed by their net and it was hard getting off better shots. I think we played well,” said Kane. “We didn’t score, but we put a lot of shots on goal there in the third period.”

The Lock Monsters victory gave the team 63 points and sole possession of third place in the Atlantic Division. The Phantoms’ defeat wasted an opportunity for the team to enter a two-way tie for first place in the Eastern Division with Binghamton, who lost to Bridgeport on Friday, 2-1. The Phantoms and the Lock Monsters face each other again on March 9 in Lowell.

In one last related note, the Phantoms and the Wilkes-Barre Penguins were the only two teams this season who have not been shutout until Friday night. Following the Phantoms’ 1-0 loss, the Wilkes-Barre Penguins were shutout by Hershey in a 2-0 defeat.

You mean you didn't watch the Super Bowl?! - SSwanson

Samantha E. Swanson
You mean you didn’t watch the Super Bowl?!
February 8, 2005


To some, the Super Bowl is the epitome of football greatness, the platform upon which to crown America’s football legends, and the event that brings football fans across the United States together for one evening of unabashed, bone-crunching splendor.

And to others, it’s just another day.

A recent transplant from the Philadelphia area to Boston, MA, Kate Schooley, 25, was one of the few, in either city, to defy a 39 year old American tradition by not watching the Super Bowl.

“So what if I’m an athlete? So what if I’m supposed to be an Eagles fan or a Patriots fan? So what if everyone I know was watching it? I just didn’t care that much,” Schooley said.

Pressure to watch the game was greater this year than ever before. Schooley said she never had an allegiance to a football team, or any team that she wasn’t part of, but being from the Philadelphia area, and now living in Boston, friends and family from both cities attempted to capture her loyalty for the “home team.”

“My mom called me on Saturday just to see if I was going to watch the game. When I said no, she sounded all disappointed and then said that someone needed to be an Eagles supporter amidst all those New Englanders,” Schooley said.

Coming from a football family, Schooley remembers that Super Bowl Sunday was always a big event at her house. Everyone in her family supports the Eagles, so this Super Bowl was especially meaningful to them. But for her, it was just another day in Boston.

“They [her family] were having people over to watch the game, and they were all excited about the Eagles ‘inevitable’ win. They cared about it so much. I used to care about seeing the halftime show, but now I don’t even care about that,” Schooley said.

Schooley’s Boston friends thickly applied the guilt trip that because she has lived in Boston for over a year, she was obligated to root for the Patriots. As much as they prodded at her to choose a side, the Patriots’ side, Schooley remained indifferent.

“There aren’t many sports that I watch on television, only three, really: ice hockey, basketball, and rugby. Football is too slow, the game takes way too long, and there are just too many times that the game stops. I like to watch faster moving games on television. When it comes down to it, football just doesn’t hold my interest,” Schooley remarked.

So what did this glutton for fast-paced sports do while 86 million people sat glued to their television sets?

“I did what I usually do on Sundays. I went to Starbucks to read some stuff for school. Then I came home and made dinner, and then I sat on the couch to watch some movies that were on T.V.,” Schooley said.

Settling in to watch “Chocolat,” with only three channels separating her from Super Bowl frenzy XXXIX, Schooley was perfectly content...and whether the Eagles won or lost or the Patriots won or lost, Super Bowl XXXIX did not interest her one bit.

Someone who is NOT watching the Super Bowl

Someone who is NOT watching the Super Bowl
by Geofree Capodanno

The twenty-ninth Super Bowl is just days away and I am exhilarated. As a lifelong fan of football and the Philadelphia Eagles, I am counting down the seconds to the game. The Philadelphia Eagles will take on the New England Patriots in Jacksonville, FL. There will be new commercials that might or might not be entertaining, but definitely expensive to air. Paul McCartney will be performing live in the halftime show. This is the media event of the year and everyone will be watching…right? I found out that this is not the case even though that seems to be the game’s reputation. I discovered someone who will not be glued to their television set on Sunday, February 6, 2005. Her name is Beverly Baran.

Beverly Baran, 62, resides in Coral Springs, FL. When I asked her if she was watching the Super Bowl on Sunday, she replied, “No. I will not be watching the Super Bowl.” I could not believe it. Yeah, I could not believe that I actually found someone to interview for this story about who is not watching the Super Bowl.

First and foremost, I asked Beverly why she was not going to tune in to the game. “I don’t like football,” said Beverly. “I never have and probably never will.” I asked her if she has ever watched a Super Bowl before. She told me, “Nope. Never. Not interested. It’s just a football game and I don’t watch football.”

She continued to tell me what she would be doing instead. “I work from my home on my computer. I write discharge summaries on patients in psychiatric hospitals. I actually have a lot of them to complete this weekend, so I will be doing those on Sunday. Hopefully, I won’t be still doing them too late on Sunday.” I asked her if she got finished before the game would she take a look at it out of curiosity. “No. I will probably go see a movie. I haven’t seen one in the theater for some time.”

Beverly’s companion, Barry Cohen, told me that he has watched the Super Bowl for years and he definitely cannot wait for this one. “I’ll be in the living room and she’ll be in the office,” Barry stated. “We will have dinner together before the game, but after that it’s time for football.”

The final question I asked Beverly was who she thought would win even though she has no idea about the teams at all. After reminding her of the two competitors again, she told me, “New England. I am from the New England area, so I think the Patriots.” I jokingly told her that it was a good thing that she won’t be watching the game on Sunday then.

Get the Edge; How to execute a loop jump

Colleen Wolfe
Com 380
Dr. Bishop
February 1, 2005

Get the Edge

Growing up in the suburb of Horsham, Pennsylvania allowed me to be involved in many activities; softball, track, figure skating, karate, and even ballet. Of course these were not all pursued at the same time, but many overlapped each other giving me a broad knowledge of various sports and interests. Although each involvement has its own unique fundamentals, I find that figure skating has the most terms that are often confused with one another.

Between footwork, spins, and jumps, skating has a name for everything—which most of the time makes no sense to the average spectator. Flying camel spins, flip jumps, and illusions? Surprisingly all three of these maneuvers look nothing like they sound. But for now, for basics, we will discuss the loop jump and how it is correctly presented.

First off, there are two categories of jumps, toe jumps and edge jumps. Pretty self-explanatory, the toe jumps are those from which a skater takes off from the toepick (the jagged tip of the blade on a skate) and edge jumps are executed by jumping from the flat part of the blade. A figure skating blade has two edges, one on the inside and one on the outside, and a skater jumps from one of these two depending on which jump is being performed.

A loop jump is classified as an edge jump, an outside edge jump to be more specific. Many times skaters choose to use this jump as a combination jump. “Triple lutz double loop,” is an example of a combination jump and may heard while watching a skater perform. To complete this jump a skater must enter from a backward right outside edge; basically just skating backwards putting most of the body weight on the left side of the right foot while the left foot leads on an inside edge. The body must be straight, hips and shoulders lined up, and the left arm extended in front making a straight line with the right arm extending back. If the set up of a jump is accurate, then the jump will most likely be clean. Prior to takeoff, the skater must bend their knees and slightly twist their arms to the right before the right arm snaps in front to join the left as they are pulled close to the body. As the arms are pulled in, the skater simultaneously springs into the air, rotating to the left and crossing the left skate over the right (this allows for maximum rotation). When the skater touches down, the right foot should be the first and only foot to make contact with the ice. The right knee must be bent or a serious injury could occur, and the left foot uncrosses itself and extends directly backwards. A skater’s arms make a straight line stretching left to right, and this position is held for strong for about three seconds.

This may seem like too many steps to carry out in such little time, but it is really only three simple motions; the setup, takeoff, and landing. These three stages flow together making jumps look clean and simple. Maneuvers like the loop jump may come to a viewer as fairly uncomplicated, but in reality they take months and years of intense training. Not only must a competitive skater practice at least once everyday, but they need also to follow a nutrition program, take ballet classes, and strength train numerous times a week. The training is hard and rough on the body, but it is w

How to hit a flop shot by Geofree Capodanno

How to hit a flop shot
by Geofree Capodanno

Golf has a reputation for being a hard sport. Well, that is because it is the truth. Players can ruin their score by committing even the most miniscule of the game’s million or so errors they finish the 18th Hole. One instance is when a player hits a shot and the ball lands about 15-18 yards from the green, but it lands in a sand hazard (also called “bunker” or “sand trap”). All a player has to do is wedge it onto the green and hit the putt. I mean it is only a 15-18 yard shot and the pin is in clear sight, but again the player hitting into sand not a harder surface like grass. Just because a player is in a hazard, all is not lost and there is still a great chance to save the hole. Sometimes just using a sand wedge to hit it out is not the answer. A player is forced to swing hard to hit the ball out of a sand trap. If a player connects at the right angle with the high velocity, the ball will get out the sand trap. The ball will also fly high past his/her target, waste a stroke, and put the player in a position to try to get on the green again. That is why there is a trick that can help a player’s chance at getting on the green and in position for an easy putt more times than not. The trick is called the “flop shot” and this is how to execute it from a sand trap. This lesson is aimed at an intermediate player who has been golfing for at least a couple of years on a somewhat consistent basis. But it also takes even the best of golf veterans a lot of practice.

Don’t wait until you are out on the course to attempt this shot. The best way to practice this shot is to purchase some new golf balls, go to a course, and get on the practice area that has a sand hazard in front of the practice green you are hitting onto. Then, grab your sand wedge, get into the bunker, and drop your golf ball into the sand of the bunker. Line yourself up with the cup (target) on the green, line your front foot with the ball, and bring your back foot forward and together with the front. This creates an “open stance”. Now, you should have your feet together, the ball lined up with your front foot, and aiming your golf stance towards your target.

Now, you have to manipulate your club head to hit the shot properly. Line the ball up to the club face like you were going to hit it normally. Then, turn the club face so that the face is now pointing to the sky. This is called having the club “open-faced”. The next thing you do is apply the proper golf grip to your club but don’t squeeze the club too tightly. After this step, you are ready to start swinging away.

The swing portion for this shot has very little room for error. The key is to let the club do all of the work and not your muscle. You want to create a very long and lazy swing. So bring the club back to the top of the backswing. Once you have reached the top of the backswing, let your arms drop and be pulled by the momentum of the falling club while remaining in the swing plane. When the club head hits the ball at the impact zone, follow though with the swing completely. One of the hardest parts to this shot is to let the club guide your arms until impact, then follow through with the rest of the swing on your own. If you don’t follow through with the shot, you might hit the ball further into the sand. Then, you are in an even worse predicament.

The ball should lob high into the air towards your target. Once the ball hits the ground, the backspin will cause the ball to come to a complete stop. If you aimed the ball and executed the shot successfully, you are looking at a two foot or even shorter putt for birdie.

Professionals use the flop shot at various points in their rounds successfully. Sure, they are professionals, but you can do this just as consistently. Like the entire sport of golf, the key is to practice a great deal. Once you feel comfortable with the shot, you will be able to use the sand trap as an advantage rather than a hindrance and finish with a better score.