Thursday, April 22, 1999
Ducks not worried about history in Philly
BY DAVE HELLER
Enquirer contributor
On paper it might appear the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks are in trouble in their best-of-five quarterfinal AHL series. The Ducks beat their opponent, Philadelphia, just twice in 12 games this season and never on the road, where the series opens at 7 tonight.
But Jeremy Stevenson and Peter LeBoutillier aren't concerned.
Stevenson and LeBoutillier, along with Frank Banham and Craig Reichert, were members of a Baltimore team that beat Hershey just once in 12 games during the 1995-96 season but ousted the Bears in five games in the playoffs. The Baltimore franchise eventually moved to Cincinnati; Hershey to Philadelphia.
“It's something I'm looking down the road that could happen (again),” Ste venson said.
The two also aren't worried about the Ducks never having won in Philadelphia. The first two games will be played at First Union Center, home of the NHL's Flyers, instead of the First Union Spectrum. The Spectrum is a cozy building, with fans right on top of the action. First Union Center, however, pushes the fans back.
“I think it'll give us an advantage,” LeBoutillier said. “Their fans are like having a seventh player on the ice for them.”
Ducks players think they need to win at least one of the first two games to have a chance to win the series. With one win, the Ducks think they can finish off the Phantoms in their two home games. Cincinnati was 23-16-1 at home this season. Game 5 would be back in Philly at the Spectrum.head DUCKS at PHANTOMS
• When: 7 tonight
• Where: First Union Center
• Radio: WVXU-FM (91.7)
• Records: Cincinnati Mighty Ducks 35-41-4, Philadelphia Phantoms 47-24-9
• Season series: Cincinnati 2-9-0-1 vs. Philadelphia
• Notes: Game 1 of best-of-five quarterfinal series ... Ducks leading scorer Bob Wren, who missed the final three games with a concussion, will return. ... First playoff game ever for Ducks ... Philly is defending Calder Cup champion.
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