Icing on the cake

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Throughout its many incarnations, the Wachovia Spectrum has been the friendly confines of the American Hockey League’s Philadelphia Phantoms. Calling the arena home since its inception in 1996, the team has entertained more than four million fans, hoisted two Calder Cup championship trophies (’98 and 2005) and sent dozens to the Flyers, including current captain Mike Richards. Flyers coach John Stevens has the distinction of being a defenseman and captain of the ’98 championship squad and the coach of the ’05 team.

Phantoms timeline

Dec. 18, 1995: The American Hockey League grants the Philadelphia Flyers organization an AHL franchise — the Philadelphia Phantoms.
Oct. 1, 1996: Defenseman John Stevens, a veteran of nine pro seasons, is named the Phantoms’ first captain.
Oct. 6, 1996:
The Phantoms make their home debut at the CoreStates Spectrum, hosting defending Calder Cup champions the Rochester Americans. The Phantoms prevail by a 3-1 margin.
April 4, 1997: The Phantoms are the first expansion team since the 1992-93 Providence Bruins to win a division title in their first season. The victory also sets an AHL record for most wins by a first-year franchise (49).
Oct. 10, 1998:
The Phantoms raise their first Calder Cup championship banner into the Spectrum rafters after a ceremony presenting the players and coaches with their championship rings.
Jan. 24, 1999:
Philadelphia and the Phantoms host the 1999 First Union AHL All-Star Classic with record attendance for the Skills Competition and game.
Oct. 3, 2003:
In their first exhibition game against the Flyers in four years, the Phantoms post a 10-6 victory.
June 10, 2005:
After three one-goal victories over Chicago, Philadelphia completes a sweep of the Wolves with a 5-2 win to capture a second Calder Cup. The game is played in front of an AHL playoff-record crowd of 20,103 at the Wachovia Center.
April 10, 2009: The Phantoms and Hershey Bears bid farewell to the Wachovia Spectrum as Philadelphia’s home regular-season schedule comes to a close.

Friday at 7:05 p.m., the Phantoms will reach a milestone in their love affair with their fans by hosting their final regular-season tilt against the Hershey Bears.

With such a huge amount of success in a relatively short span, the team is leaving behind dedicated devotees. Tina Pfettscher of the 2600 block of South Bouvier Street noted games at the Spectrum were "tons of fun."

"Kids love the Spectrum. Who am I kidding? I love it too," she said.

Her favorite memory is the’ 03 contest against the Binghamton Senators, in which the teams combined for 373 penalty minutes.

Seventh-grader Lindsey Tresoikas of the 1400 block of South Newkirk Street said the atmosphere is what she’ll miss the most.

"The hockey at the Spectrum was great and full of action. For families, a Phantoms’ game was always an inexpensive evening full of fun," Tresoikas, who is attending tomorrow’s contest, said.

As they push for the fourth and final playoff berth in the AHL’s East Division, the Phantoms need the strong crowd support to help defeat the first-place Bears.

Beginning with a 3-1 victory over the Rochester Americans on Oct. 6, 1996, the Phantoms have enjoyed an undeniable home-ice advantage, winning 278 of 481 home regular-season games. Philadelphia holds the second-longest undefeated home-ice streak in AHL history, winning 21 straight during its ’96-97 inaugural season.

Once the current year comes to a close, the team’s future location remains up in the air. In February, Comcast-Spectacor President Peter Luukko announced the sale of the squad to the Pittsburgh-based Brooks Group. Comcast-Spectacor made the deal with a goal of keeping the team within two hours of the city. Philly Live!, a retail/restaurant/entertainment complex, will replace the Spectrum.

Tomorrow night, fans and players will have their chance to pay homage to the old building. Adult tickets are $10 with kids’ tickets $5. The evening will feature return visits from former players and Bill Barber, the former Flyer great and head coach of the ’98 Calder Cup team. Lauren Hart, a regular at Flyers’ games, is singing the "Star-Spangled Banner." Each fan will receive a commemorative Final Game ticket attached to a Phantoms Spectrum lanyard.

Tickets are available at phantomshockey.com, 1-800-298-4200 and at the Wachovia Complex box office.