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Event Spotlight: Saturday, July 5, 2003 By David W. UnkleSJSports Staff Writer
(VILLANOVA)---The Philadelphia Charge were dealt a devastating blow in an already frustrating season, losing 2002 WUSA MVP Marinette Pichon in the game’s final minutes en route to a 1-1 tie against the San Diego Spirit. |
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Event Spotlight: Saturday, June 28, 2003 By David W. UnkleSJSports Staff Writer
(VILLANOVA)---Marinette Pichon scored two goals for the Charge but the Philadelphia defense twice surrendered the lead in a 2-2 ties against the Boston Breakers. Both Boston goals came four minutes after each Charge scores, with Ragnhild Gulbrandsen’s first goal of the season knotting the score with less than two minutes in regulation. |
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Event Spotlight: Sunday, April 6, 2003
By David W. Unkle
What a difference a day makes. Coming into the weekend, Philadelphia needed to capture all six points to secure the Western Conference’s final playoff birth. An inspirational 2-1 overtime win Friday night was tarnished with last night’s 4-2 loss to the Hershey Bears. Yet the hockey gods appeared to be looking down on the Phantoms; Rochester’s 2-1 loss to Syracuse, gave the Phantoms one more opportunity to determine their playoff fate. |
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Event Spotlight: Friday, April 4, 2003
By David W. Unkle
Discipline. Focus. Commitment. Playoff bound teams demonstrate these attributes throughout the season; teams that don’t, pull out the stockpile of sports clichés and talk about a better next season. For the Philadelphia Phantoms, next season is this season. And they have two games left to prove that the first eighty wasn’t for naught. |
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Event Spotlight: Thursday, March 20, 2003
Press Release
David W. Unkle, of The Topcat Sports Show on WNJC 1360-AM and staff writer for South Jersey Sports On-Line is teaming up with Ken Blake in raising funds for Slap Shot actress Louise Arters. Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1985, Arters lives her life in a wheelchair, unable to continue a career in modeling and acting. The goal of the silent auction is to raise funds to purchase a specially equipped van to facilitate Arters mobility and independence along with raising the public’s awareness of Multiple Sclerosis. |
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Saturday, March 15, 2003
By David W. Unkle
It was gut check time for the Philadelphia Wings (7-5) as the National Lacrosse League’s top team, the Buffalo Bandits (9-2) came to town on the heels of a six-game winning streak. Philadelphia, playing their best lacrosse of the season and on their own four-game winning streak, was ready for the challenge. Buffalo uses their physical style of play to set up their offensive game; witness the Bandits atop the NLL rankings in penalties/minutes per game (13.5/32:00) and goals per game (15.4). The Wings game plan was basic: grab the early lead, keep Buffalo’s physical presence from setting up an offensive outburst in the final quarters of the first and second half, and avoid power play and transition goals. |
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Thursday, March 13, 2003
By David W. Unkle
The Flyers have thirteen games left in the regular season in which to determine their final position in the Eastern Conference which could determine how long hockey is being played at Broad & Pattison. The recent acquisitions of Dmitri Yushkevich and Claude Lapointe addressed some of the team's need yet firepower was the key ingredient missing from the lineup. Monday's trade which brought Tony Amonte to the Flyers filled a major void for the Flyers. Amonte pulling on the Orange and White for the first time was the big story that everyone knew about. But it was the bigger story that had the First Union Center buzzing before the game started. |
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Event Spotlight: Sunday, March 9, 2003
By David W. Unkle
Coming off two overtime losses this weekend, the last team the Philadelphia Phantoms wanted to face was Norfolk. For the third game in a row, the Phantoms took a lead into the third period while shutting out their opponent. Philadelphia started the game with the same lackluster performance that created the overtime loss to the 16-42-5-3 Lowell Lock Monsters. |
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Event Spotlight: Saturday, March 8, 2003
By David W. Unkle
First place feels good for the Philadelphia Wings (6-5) as they knocked Colorado from the top spot with a 15-14 win over the lowly New York Saints (1-11). As they did last year following a 1-3 start, the Wings continue to claw their way back to contention after this year’s 2-5 start. |
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Friday, March 7, 2003
By David W. Unkle
The Phantoms continue their late season skid giving up the tying goal in the third period and surrendering a power play goal in overtime as the visiting Worcester IceCats stole the game in front of 6,088 fans at the First Union Spectrum. |
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Tuesday, March 4, 2003
By David W. Unkle
The Flyers are playing some of their best hockey as the team finishes the final four weeks of the regular season and much of the credit belongs to goaltender Roman Cechmanek. His eighteenth career shutout with the Flyers came at the hands of the torrid Vancouver Canucks who lost for only the second time in their last eleven games (7-2-2). |
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Thursday, February 27, 2003
By David W. Unkle
He promised us so much more in the pre-season but this year’s version of the power play looked frighteningly similar to the one that contributed to another early demise for the Philadelphia Flyers. However, that was before the Flyers played a home-home series with the Chicago Blackhawks. |
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Event Spotlight: Sunday, February 23, 2003
By David W. Unkle
The Philadelphia KiXX , not known for their strong starts, held true to form, played catch-up soccer most of the game but it was Don D'Ambra's follow-up on a Goran Vasic shot with 10.5 seconds left that made the difference as the KiXX dropped the Harrisburg Heat 7-6. |
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Saturday, February 1, 2003
By David W. Unkle
The Philadelphia Phantoms still have the monkey on their back but the load got a little easier as the Phantoms skated to a 3-3 tie in front of 12,081 at the First Union Center. Still mired in the longest winless streak of the season (0-5-1-0), the Phantoms ventured into unfamiliar territory against the Calder Cup Champion, Chicago Wolves. The Phantoms’ record when trailing after two periods of play is 1-13-0-1 coming into this afternoon’s game but demonstrated a willingness to play sixty minutes of hockey. |
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Tuesday, January 28, 2003
By David W. Unkle
The annual mid-season swoon appears to be on the horizon. Comparisons between the 2001-02 model and this year's team are different but similar. Former head coach was hung in effigy for not motivating the players and practicing fundamentals. The players claimed that they needed a different type of coach resulting in the demise of Barber and the hiring of Hitchcock. The frightening realization is that there is little change from last year both in roster and performance. Therein exists the problem…and the solution? |
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Saturday, January 25, 2003
By David W. Unkle
The Philadelphia Phantoms ended their scoreless streak at 165:24 minutes but their offense let them down for the third straight game in a 3-1 loss to the Grand Rapids Griffins in front of 14,762 at the First Union Center. |
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Friday, January 17, 2003
By David W. Unkle
Jim Vandermeer and Joe Sacco scored their first goals as Philadelphia Flyers and Chris Therien score his first goal of the season in a 3-1 win in front of 19,290 fans at the First Union Center. Both teams suffered defeats at the hands of the NHL's worst team, the Atlanta Thrashers in their last outing. Maybe both teams were looking forward to tonight's game as the Flyers fell 7-4 here Monday night and the Canadiens were shutout 1-0 in Atlanta last night. |
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Saturday, January 18, 2003
By David W. Unkle
Breaking recent tradition, the Philadelphia KiXX grabbed the early lead and never let up as the KiXX (17-3) went on to beat the Harrisburg Heat (9-14) in front of 2,934 fans at the First Union Spectrum. The KiXX remain unbeaten at home this season in twelve games and have reeled off ten wins in a row. However, KiXX Head Coach Don D'Ambra was again not pleased with the overall effort. |
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Tuesday, January 7, 2003
By David W. Unkle
After a successful West Coast road trip, the Flyers returned home tonight to take on the hockey's version of the Cincinnati Bengals. Once again played down to the level of their opponent and the Philly fans let them know it at the end of the first period. Tonight's 3-2 win over the Buffalo Sabres (10-23-5-2, 27 points) was anything but textbook hockey but for the Flyers (21-10-8-1, 51 points), it still keeps them atop the Atlantic Division. |
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Event Spotlight: Sunday, January 5, 2003 SJSports Staff Writer
Nick Stavrou's goal with 29 second left in the first half loomed large; it gave the Dallas Sidekicks (6-15) a 5-2 lead in a game that was controlled early by the visitors. The Philadelphia KiXX (15-3) and Joel Shanker though had other intentions; a re-start goal with 12 seconds left in the half brought the KiXX back to within one goal at 5-4. |
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Friday, January 3, 2003
By David W. Unkle
The Phantoms top line of Mark Greig, newcomer Joe Sacco and Peter White combined for ten points on the night as the Philadelphia Phantoms toppled the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. After being shutout in their two previous games, the offense re-emerged as the Phantoms scored five or more goals for only the fifth time this season and their first such game since a 6-5 on November 22. |
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Event Spotlight: Sunday, December 22, 2002 SJSports Staff Writer
Five unanswered goals in a span of fifteen minutes between the second and third period jumpstarted the Philadelphia KiXX to a 10-2 lead and they held off a Milwaukee rally late in the game to earn a 14-11 win over the Milwaukee Wave. |
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Friday, December 20, 2002
By David W. Unkle
Playing in his first American Hockey League (AHL) game with the Phantoms, left wing Jeff Smith gave the Phantoms a 2-0 lead in the second period; coupled with solid goaltending by Neil Little and offensive support by Jim Vandermeer and Peter White, the Phantoms triumphed over the Hershey Bears, 4-2. |
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Wednesday, December 18, 2002
By David W. Unkle
The story behind the story was the theme last night as the Flyers came from behind with two, third period power-play goals to tie the Dallas Stars 2-2. First off, it was Flyers' Head Coach Ken Hitchcock's 51st birthday and the scheduling gods slotted him to face the team that fired him last winter. |
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Sunday, December 15, 2002
By David W. Unkle
Buffalo's Miroslav Satan is a thorn in the side of the Philadelphia Flyers and a hot-handed Satan (5G, 6A in his last six games) playing against the team's back-up goalie when the team was struggling certainly had all the ingredients for trouble. |
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Friday, December 13, 2002
By David W. Unkle
If you wanted to compare his personality to former Flyers coaches, the names of Roger Neilson or Terry Murray might pop into your head instead of Mike Keenan or Pat Quinn. John Stevens is soft-spoken and does not use the fire and brimstone approach to win hockey games. He knows what it takes to win have served as Captain on the Phantoms Calder Cup winning team a few years back. After tonight's 6-1 loss to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, Stevens displayed emotion rarely seen in the last two seasons. |
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Friday, December 6, 2002
By David W. Unkle
In a repeat of last April's successful Break the Ice promotion, the Philadelphia Phantoms and internet dating service Match.com joined forces again to unite singles in the Delaware Valley for a pre-game party and a hockey game between the Rochester Americans and the hometown Phantoms. Last April, over 200 singles turned out in search of that special someone with this years total approaching 250 for a Thanksgiving eve game. |
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Event Spotlight: Sunday, December 1, 2002 SJSports Staff Writer
Led by defenseman Drew Kopp (2G, 5 P) and strong goaltending by Peter Pappas, the Philadelphia KiXX maintained their undefeated record at home as the topped visiting San Diego in front of 3,752 fans at the First Union Spectrum. Playing for the first time in ten days (the KiXX defeated these same San Diego Sockers 10-5 on November 20), the KiXX drew first blood and never surrendered the lead in a game that was closer than the final score would indicate. |
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Event Spotlight: Friday, November 1, 2002
By David W. Unkle
NEW YORK - Through the opening month of the 2002-2003 regular season, National Hockey League games have featured more offense, greater flow and faster finishes as the result of strict enforcement against interference/obstruction infractions and the implementation of "hurry-up" line change procedures. Through Oct. 31, NHL Clubs had played 150 of the scheduled 1,230 games, and the data gathered from those contests reflect a jump in scoring to 5.6 goals per game through 150 games this season compared to 5.4 per game through as many games last season. |
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Event Spotlight: Thursday, October 24, 2002
By David W. Unkle
Voters on NFL.com have made their choice. Safety MARQUES ANDERSON of the Green Bay Packers is the PEPSI NFL ROOKIE OF THE WEEK for games played October 20-21, the NFL announced today. Anderson has won the award in consecutive weeks. |
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Event Spotlight: Thursday, October 17, 2002
By David W. Unkle
Running back TRAVIS HENRY of the Buffalo Bills, defensive end JASON TAYLOR of the Miami Dolphins and kicker MIKE VANDERJAGT of the Indianapolis Colts are the AFC Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week for games played the sixth week of the 2002 season (October 13-14), the NFL announced today. |
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Event Spotlight: Thursday, October 17, 2002
By David W. Unkle
Quarterback MARC BULGER of the St. Louis Rams, and defensive end DARREN HOWARD and return specialist MICHAEL LEWIS of the New Orleans Saints are the NFC Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week for games played the sixth week of the 2002 season (October 13-14), the NFL announced today. |
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Event Spotlight: Thursday, October 17, 2002
By David W. Unkle
It will be a classic confrontation of explosive offense vs. daunting defense as the first place Philadelphia Eagles welcome the red-hot Tampa Bay Buccaneers to Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia this Sunday in a key NFC showdown. |
 Event Spotlight:KiXX Top Harrisburg 11-10 in Home Opener Sunday, October 6, 2002
By David W. Unkle
Emotion play a major role in a player's performance; not enough emotion and the result is a lackluster performance. Too much emotion creates misplays and mental lapses and the emotion was running high as the Kixx had their MISL Championship banner raised to the rafters of the First Union Spectrum in a pre-game ceremony and the players received their championship rings. The Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) Champion Philadelphia Kixx learned some hard lessons about emotion in their first two games as defending champions. |
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Event Spotlight: NFC Players of the Month Thursday, October 3, 2002
By David W. Unkle
Quarterback DONOVAN MC NABB of the Philadelphia Eagles, defensive end MICHEAL RUCKER of the Carolina Panthers and kicker RYAN LONGWELL of the Green Bay Packers are the NFC Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Month for September, the NFL announced Thursday. |
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Event Spotlight: AFC Players of the Month Thursday, October 3, 2002
By David W. Unkle
Quarterback DREW BLEDSOE of the Buffalo Bills, linebacker JUNIOR SEAU of the San Diego Chargers, safety ROD WOODSON of the Oakland Raiders and punter CHAD STANLEY of the Houston Texans are the AFC Offensive, Co-Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Month for September, the NFL announced Thursday. |
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South Jersey Baseball: 'Sharks Get Run Over By Atlantic City in Expressway Series 11-2 Friday, August 16, 2002
By David W. Unkle
At least it started out good for Camden (21-12); Dwight Maness' inside-the-park homer with two away in the home first got Camden on the board early. That is no easy feat for the Riversharks who are struggling in the sweltering heat of August. The 'Sharks punch-less .230 batting average this month is compounded by the fact that they are hitting at a lowly .217 clip against the Surf (25-8). Scoring first is usually a good omen for Camden; the team owns a league-best 38-7 record when putting the first runs on the board. Even more impressive though was Atlantic City's record of 12-1 in August games. The third inning changed one's perspective on both of those statistics. |
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Event Spotlight: National Lacrosse League Player Spotlight: Columbus Landsharks' Neal Powless Wednesday, July 10, 2002
By David W. Unkle
Player Spotlight highlights the finer details and elements while supplying insight to the fans on what a player's thought process may be pertaining to a certain play, game, or situation. It brings the intensity, passion, and inner most thoughts of the individual player that otherwise may not be felt or heard. |
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Event Spotlight: National Lacrosse League Announces Re-Location of Washington Power to Denver Tuesday, July 9, 2002
By David W. Unkle
National Lacrosse League (NLL) Commissioner Jim Jennings announced today the re-location of the Washington Power franchise to Denver, Colorado for the 2002-03 season. The yet-to-be-named franchise will play it their home games in the Pepsi Center which currently houses the National Hockey League's Colorado Avalanche and the National Basketball Association's Denver Nuggets. |
 Event Spotlight:Pichon's Scores First Career Hat Trick in 3-1 over New York Monday, July 8, 2002 By David W. UnkleSJSports Staff Writer
There were many side stories to last night's contest between the Philadelphia Charge and the New York Power. Under the smoke-filled skies of Villanova Stadium, 6,303 fans witnessed the return of former Charge goalkeeper (and WUSA Founding member) Saskia Webber (traded to New York following the 2001 season) and the match-up of New York's Ronnie Fair with her twin sister Lorrie Fair coupled with another outstanding effort by the Charge defensive four and goalkeeper Melissa Moore. Then there was Charge forward Marinette Pichon. |
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South Jersey Baseball: Lincoln Mikkelsen Named Pitcher of the Month Also Named to All-Star Team Wednesday, July 3, 2002
By David W. Unkle
Riversharks starting pitcher Lincoln Mikkelsen was named the Atlantic League Pitcher of the Month for June today. During June, Link went 5-0 with an ERA of just 1.47. In his five June starts he worked 37 innings allowing just six runs while striking out 26 opponents and allowing just one walk. |
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South Jersey Baseball: Five Riversharks Selected to Atlantic League All-Star Team Delgado, Maness, Mikkelsen, Williams, Vande Berg Honored Monday, July 1, 2002
By David W. Unkle
The Camden Riversharks announced today that five members of the team have been selected to participate in the 2002 North Fork bank All-Star Game to be held in Long Island on July 10. |
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Event Spotlight: Philadelphia Eagles Mini-Camp Ends as Team Prepares for 2002-03 Season (Update) Wednesday, June 26, 2002
By David W. Unkle
The Philadelphia Eagles on Tuesday June 25 announced that they have signed SS Michael Lewis, the club's first of two 2nd round draft choices, to a five-year contract. As is club policy terms of the deal were not announced. A two-time All-Big Twelve Conference first-team selection, Lewis (6-1, 211) earned third team All-America honors and was a semi-finalist for the Thorpe Award, given to the nation's top defensive back, as a senior. He closed out his career ranked 9th on the school's all-time list with 336 tackles, 2nd-best among defensive backs. Lewis' 10 forced fumbles ranked him 2nd in the Colorado record book, while his 9 INTs tied him for 12th all-time. His 6.5 career sacks are a Colorado record for defensive backs. In his final season, led the squad with 112 tackles and 5 INTs, one of which he returned for a TD. A native of Richmond, TX, Lewis won the Colorado's Dave Jones Award for the most outstanding defensive player and the Hale Irwin Award for the most outstanding defensive back in both his junior and senior seasons. The 22-year old was selected with the 58th pick overall. |
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Event Spotlight: 2002-03 National Lacrosse League Update Thursday, June 20, 2002
By David W. Unkle
The National Lacrosse League (NLL) Board of Governors completed their annual summer meetings today. The three-day meeting held at New York's Madison Square Garden concluded with a conference call for members of the national media. NLL Commissioner Jim Jennings stated that the league will not exceed thirteen teams dealing a blow to those individuals looking for expansion in cities like Los Angeles, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco Bay Area and Edmonton. We are still aggressively pursuing expansion. There is a considerable amount of interest, especially from groups on the West Coast of the United States. |
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Event Spotlight: Hockey Hall of Fame Announces 2002 Inductees Bernie Federko, Clark Gillies and Rod Langway elected in Players' Category Thursday, June 20, 2002
By David W. Unkle
Jim Gregory, Chairman of the Hockey Hall of Fame Selection Committee, announced today that former NHL greats Bernie Federko, Clark Gillies and Rod Langway have been elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in the Player Category. The vote was made yesterday at the annual meeting of the Selection Committee in Toronto. |
 South Jersey Baseball:Camden Drowns Somerset 13-5 in Rain-Soaked Game Wednesday, June 19, 2002
By David W. Unkle
The Riversharks already had one run across the plate when the Mother Nature arrived at Campbell's Field and rains came causing a 1:14 minute delay. When the rain stopped and play resumed, the skies really opened up but this time it was caused by the Riversharks' offense. |
 Event Spotlight:Pichon, Moore Key 1-0 Win For Charge over Boston Monday, June 17, 2002 By David W. UnkleSJSports Staff Writer
For the second week in a row, Charge forward Marinette Pichon generated all of the offense, scoring Philadelphia's only goal in a 1-0 effort against the Boston Breakers. In fact, Pichon has now scored four of the last five Charge goals. For her efforts, Pichon has taken a pounding at the hands of her opponents as the 5,465 fans at Villanova Stadium witnessed Saturday night. Witness the comments from Boston Head Coach Jay Hoffman. |
 Event Spotlight:Late Goal by Pichon Maintains Philadelphia's Home Undefeated Streak Tuesday, June 11, 2002 By David W. UnkleSJSports Staff Writer
For eighty-six minutes it looked like the Philadelphia Charge would suffer its first home loss of the season. Despite having the WUSA's top-ranked offense (14 goals in seven games), the Charge couldn't buy a goal, being shutout by San Jose (0-0) last week and most of their match against the Washington Freedom. Playing without mid-fielder and team captain, Kelly Smith (who suffered a season-ending ACL tear), the Charge offense rested solely with Marinette Pichon who has shuttled between Villanova and France to compete for the French National Team. |
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Event Spotlight: 0-0 Tie versus San Jose Proves Costly for Charge Tuesday, June 4, 2002 By David W. UnkleSJSports Staff Writer
Saturday night's 0-0 tie versus the defending WUSA champion San Jose Cyber Rays maintained Philadelphia's first place lead (5-1-1) and their undefeated streak at home but it cost them the services of the WUSA's leading scorer. Forward Kelly Smith tore her anterior cruciate ligament in with less than twenty minutes remaining in the game and had to be carried off the field on a stretcher, effectively ending her WUSA season. Less than 48 hours after her injury, Smith was named WUSA Player of the Month for May 2002 as she led the Charge to a 3-1-0 record while scoring two goals and three assists. |
 Event Spotlight:Philadelphia Phantoms 2001-02 Wrap-Up Monday, June 3, 2002
By David W. Unkle & Mike Williams (SJSports Special Correspondent)
In their sixth season, the Philadelphia Phantoms finished a mediocre 2001-02 season with a 33-27-15-5 record and saw their hopes to seriously challenge for the Calder Cup end in a first round sweep at the hands of the Syracuse Crunch. The team's abysmal stretch run (4-15-2) was the result of injuries (John Slaney and Brad Tiley), constant roster changes, and a team that was looking for a leader to hold player's feet to the fire. The end-result: a team that limped (barely) into the playoffs and got a quick start to the summer picnic season. Here are the club's final grades, based on the club's final roster. |
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High School Football: Wednesday, May 29, 2002
By David W. Unkle Click Here To Continue |
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High School Football: 2002 South Jersey Football Hall of Fame Inductees Monday, May 27, 2002
By David W. Unkle
NFL Players Dave Robinson (Moorestown High '59), Dave Crossan (Collingswood High '59), Bill Griggs, and David Griggs will be among those honored as 2002 inductees into the South Jersey Football Coaches Hall of Fame. |
 High School Football:South Jersey Football Coaches Association Announce 2002 White Squad Roster for Adam Taliaferro Classic Game Monday, May 27, 2002
By David W. Unkle
The South Jersey Football Coaches Association and the Adam Taliaferro Foundation are proud to announce the Blue and White Squads for the 2002 Adam Taliaferro Classic Football Game. The game will be held at Rowan University in Glassboro, New Jersey on June 28, 2002 with members of the squad representing the best high school players in the South Jersey area. Proceeds from the game will go to the Adam Taliaferro Foundation. The Foundation's mission is to provide an educational resource for medical personnel, coaches, athletic administrators, athletes and families. |
 Event Spotlight:Philadelphia Charge, WNJC 1360-AM, and South Jersey Sports Online Announce "Inside the Charge" on The Topcat & Taggart Sports Show Monday, May 27, 2002 SJSports Staff Writer
June 2, 2002 marks the inaugural segment of Inside the Charge on The Topcat & Taggart Sports Show heard every Sunday from 4:30-5:30PM on Philadelphia's Renaissance Radio Station, WNJC 1360-AM. Each week a different member of the Philadelphia Charge will appear on the show between 5:00-5:30PM profiling their collegiate and professional career as the Philadelphia Charge continues their quest for the Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA) Founders Cup. |
 Event Spotlight:Charge Remain Undefeated in 3-1 Win over Washington Monday, May 13, 2002 SJSports Staff Writer
The WUSA's (Women's United Soccer Association) most familiar player, Mia Hamm, could only watch as the hometown Philadelphia Charge remained undefeated (4-0-0) following an impressive 3-1 over the Washington Freedom (2-3-0) in front of 8,185 fans at Villanova Stadium and a national television audience. Hamm, who underwent arthroscopic surgery on her left femur in February, has yet to be cleared to play by team physicians. Even without Hamm, the Freedom came to town with the league's second leading scorer in Monica Gerardo (2G, 1A). There is no letdown because she [Hamm] won't be playing, said Charge coach Mark Krikorian, we'll play the team that shows up. And that they did. |
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Special Event: The Topcat & Taggart Sports Show Sunday afternoons in May 2002 are exciting on WNJC 1360-AM's: The Topcat & Taggart Sports Show Saturday, May 4, 2002
By David W. Unkle
David W. Unkle is the host of The Topcat & Taggart Sports Show heard on WNJC 1360-AM every Sunday from 4:30-5:30 PM. David, a staff writer with South Jersey Sports Online (www.SJSports.com), correspondent for the Professional Lacrosse Players Association (www.plpa.com), and former semi-professional football player is paired in the studio with ice hockey player and broadcast partner Jim Taggart and producer Josh Schilling. Together, they interview local and national sports personalities highlighting their professional and personal achievements. This unique format provides our listeners with an in-depth perspective not found on other sports-talk shows. |
 Event Spotlight:Phantoms Open Playoffs with 4-2 Win over Rochester Wednesday, April 10, 2002
By David W. Unkle
The Phantoms played perhaps their best hockey in the last two months and their effort paid off as Philadelphia took a 1-0 lead in their best of three series against the Rochester Americans at the First Union Spectrum. Mike Watt scored two goals coupled with strong goaltending from Neil Little paced the Phantoms to a 4-2 win. The win was even bigger for Philadelphia who struggled down the stretch, at one point going 4-15-2 in a span of 21 games. |
 Event Spotlight:The Glass is Half Empty in Flyers-Panthers 4-4 Tie Tuesday, April 9, 2002
By David W. Unkle
Some might say that Phantoms call-ups Guillaume Lefebvre and John Slaney brought the curse with them from the First Union Spectrum; others will say that bad trades (Billy Tibbetts) and injuries (Rick Tocchet, Jeremy Roenick, Jiri Dopita, and Keith Primeau) disrupted the team karma, others might even point out that the Flyers limped into the playoffs the last few years for various other reasons. But even the optimist cannot ignore the Flyers' recent slump of 4-8-4 in their last sixteen games (including last night's game). Following a 3-1 defeat of the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday, optimism started to creep into the Flyers' picture. Big games with the Devils, Rangers, and Islanders to round out the schedule stand between the Flyers and the Eastern Conference championship. But first up, the team that is in next to last place in the Eastern Conference, the Mike Keenan-led Florida Panthers. |
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Special Event: The Topcat & Taggart Sports Show Sunday afternoons in April 2002 are exciting on WNJC 1360-AM's: The Topcat & Taggart Sports Show Thursday, April 4, 2002
By David W. Unkle
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 Event Spotlight:There's No Tomorrow for Philadelphia as Wings Lose Wild-card Playoff Game to Washington 12-11 Sunday, March 31, 2002
By David Unkle
The Wings' quest to retain their hold on the National Lacrosse League's Champion's Cup ended last night in Philadelphia at the hands of the Washington Power in a 12-11 loss to the Eastern Division Champions. Unlike last week's game against the Toronto Rock which propelled them into the playoffs, Philadelphia came out with a less aggressive style of defense which would hurt them throughout the game and arguably cost them the opportunity to return to Toronto, the site where they captured the 2001 NLL Championship. Surrendering transition goals and power play goals coupled with weak second quarter play and the inability to chew up the clock when shorthanded has killed this team all season long and its reappearance last night gave the Power the opportunity to play lacrosse in April. |
 Event Spotlight:Wings Rock Toronto's World in 12-11 Overtime Win; Gain Sixth and Final Playoff Spot Monday, March 25, 2002
By David W. Unkle
Saturday night's game at the First Union Center was just short of war between these two teams. Take for example, Toronto Rock Forward Colin Doyle's comments following the back-end of the home-home series between these two teams. It's funny how they grow a spine in Philadelphia; it's the dead truth. They're soft in Toronto and they come out and play tough in Philly. It's the way it's been for a long time and the reason they were successful against us last year in Toronto was because they played tough. We expected it and we knew they were going to come at us with everything they had...we don't mind it. There is a lot of bad blood. They took away what was ours for two years and we thought should still be ours. If that's not enough to get the boys motivated, it's the fact that we have great games here year in and year out. There's obviously a level of respect between the two teams. They have some fantastic players and I'm sure that they would say the same about some of our players. But when it comes down to the floor, respect goes out the window. |
 Event Spotlight:New Look Roster, Same Result; Phantoms Fall 2-1 to Bears Saturday, March 23, 2002
By David Unkle
The Phantoms and Bears played at the beginning of the month (a 4-3 loss) and since that time, some things have changed and some stayed the same. The Phantoms have gone 3-5 including last night's game since that loss. In the twelve games preceding the March 1 game against the Bears, the Phantoms were 2-6-4. Not only did the Phantoms see their Southern Division lead evaporate but they were overtaken by the Norfolk Admirals and these Hershey Bears. Coming off a 2-0 victory Wednesday night against the Wilkes-Barre Penguins, Philadelphia lacked the sixty minute, both ends of the ice effort that is necessary to win games. |
 Event Spotlight:With Their Backs Against The Wall, Wings Edge Washington 12-11 To Stay In Playoff Race Tuesday, March 19, 2002
By David W. Unkle
The Wings' (7-7) ability to play defense for 45 minutes last night allowed them to come away with a thrilling 12-11 victory over Eastern Division Champion Washington Power (9-6). In what was Paul Gait's final regular season game in Philadelphia before he retires at the conclusion of this season, the former Wing scored three points (1G, 2A) on ten shots but it was his only goal that almost closed the door on Philadelphia. The Wings started off with a stifling defense that was noticeably absent in recent weeks. Allowing Washington's offense one goal on seven shots in the first quarter was impressive considering last week's demise in Washington. |
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Event Spotlight: Bad Finish, Siklenka's Hat Trick Downs Atlantic City 5-2 Thursday, March 14, 2002
By David W. Unkle
Boardwalk Bullies head Coach Mike Haviland summed it up best after the game in saying: Really good start...I think we had a lot of grade A chances...I don't think we finished them...we made major mistakes...and they were glaring individual mistakes. Fresh off of their come-from-behind 5-4 overtime victory against the Toledo Storm, the Boardwalk Bullies picked up where they left off on Sunday. |
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Special Event: The Topcat & Taggart Sports Show Sunday afternoons are exciting on WNJC 1360-AM's: The Topcat & Taggart Sports Show Friday, March 8, 2002
By David W. Unkle
South Jersey Sports Online and The Topcat & Taggart Sports Show are giving our readers the chance to win great prizes. The following authors will appear on The Topcat & Taggart Sports Show (Sundays between 4:30-5:30 PM on WNJC 1360-AM) courtesy of Sports Publishing, LLC in March/April 2002. We are giving away copies of these books during the show. Just call the WNJC 1360 studio lines at 856-227-1360 or 856-232-7077 and answer one of our sports trivia questions. Hurry...there are a limited number of copies available !!!! |
 Event Spotlight:At a Cost, Wings Get "W" versus Rebel Sunday, March 3, 2002
By David W. Unkle
Ninety percent of the game is half mental. |
 Event Spotlight:Phantoms Lose to Bears 4-3 as Winless Streak Continues Saturday, March 2, 2002
By David Unkle
For the 12,676 fans at the First Union Spectrum last night, much of the excitement was the result of Nickelodeon's Sponge Bob Square Pants Night. The Phantoms finished the month of February with a 2-6-4 record, the worst month of the 2001-02 season. In March of last year, Philadelphia had its best month of the season with an 8-4-1 record. The way the Phantoms played last night against the Hershey Bears, they will be hard pressed to challenge last year's success. |
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Special Event: The Topcat & Taggart Sports Show Sunday afternoons in March 2002 are exciting on WNJC 1360-AM's: The Topcat & Taggart Sports Show Friday, March 1, 2002
By David W. Unkle
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 Event Spotlight:Wings Get Bitten in Overtime by Landsharks 15-14 Sunday, February 24, 2002
By David W. Unkle
Former Pittsburgh Steelers head Coach Chuck Noll once said: Before you can win a game, you have to not lose it. Last night, the Wings had the Columbus Landsharks where they wanted them in the second quarter. Down 3-1 at the end of the first period, Philadelphia reeled off seven goals to take a one goal lead (8-7) into the half-time locker room. The outcome was not what the Wings of the 13,726 fans in attendance had in mind. |
 Event Spotlight:Phantoms Appear to Hit Wall in 3-0 Loss to Milwaukee Saturday, February 23, 2002
By David Unkle
The Phantoms are out their game; the fans know it, the players know it, and the coach knows it. Three wins in their last ten games (3-4-3) coming into the night is indicative of a team not firing on all cylinders. Granted, there is the optimist here that will look at the Phantoms' record and say that the team is undefeated in six of ten games (three wins and three ties) but reality should quickly set in and indicate a need to look at the obvious. The injuries to Brad Tiley and John Slaney are significant; what makes these injuries overwhelming is that they come at a time when the team is struggling. |
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Event Spotlight: Titans Continue Win Streak in 6-2 Victory over Nailers Thursday, February 21, 2002
By David W. Unkle
Hockey players are taught from a young age to keep digging and pursuing the puck until the buzzer sounds at the end of each period. It is a fundamental concept that is sometimes overlooked, sometimes deliberately forgotten but simply not seen in many of today's athletes. The Titans' Pat Leahy, Ben Stafford, and Scott Bertoli proved exceptions to the rule last night. In an excellent example of fore-checking and fighting for the puck behind the net, Leahy scored his 16th goal of the season with 0.8 seconds left in the first period to put the Titans' on the board and set the tone for the game. Despite being thin on the blue line last night, the Titans' defense was swarming on the ice limiting Wheeling to just five shots in the first period and twenty-one in the game. |
 Event Spotlight:Phantoms Snap Streak in 4-2 Win Tuesday, February 19, 2002
By David Unkle
The Phantoms, winners of one of their last seven games (1-3-3) and winless in their last four games (0-3-1), played with authority at both ends of the ice and the final score was indicative of their effort. In a game where defensemen became a valuable commodity (Brad Tiley and John Slaney were injured and Dan Peters scratched) for the Phantoms, little could go wrong on the ice for the Phantoms. It didn't always look that way for the home town team. Houston's Roman Simicek opened the night's scoring with a nice shot between the five-hole of Phantoms' goalie Maxime Ouellet at 7:17 of the first period. The Phantoms came right back with a power play goal at the 10:07 mark with Vaclav Pletka scoring his 18th goal of the season (and team leading 8th power play goal) with assists from Tomas Divisek and Brad Tiley. The Phantoms came into the night with the AHL's 16th ranked power play (17.4 percent success rate). |
 Event Spotlight:Storm Knocks Out Wings 13-11 Loss Sunday, February 17, 2002
By David W. Unkle
Last night the Wings hosted their Anti-Valentine's Day party, billed as "Scorned Lover's Night" for a season high 17,488 at the First Union Center. At half time, four contestants got to tell their story of woe and shred a memento of their former loved one with one contestant winning a trip to Jamaica. The New Jersey Storm (3-9) also participated in the night's events as they shred the unusually porous Philadelphia defense for 10 first half goals en route to a 13-11 win over Wings. It was the first home loss of the season for the Wings. |
 Event Spotlight:Phantoms Get Bit By Wolves in 5-1 Loss Saturday, February 16, 2002
By David Unkle
February has been a rough month for the Phantoms with one win in their last six games (1-2-3). Last night's 5-1 loss to the Chicago Wolves at the First Union Spectrum did nothing to reverse their misfortune. In their first game following the AHL All-Star Game, the Phantoms looked a step or two behind the Wolves and their unusually porous defense allowed Chicago too many scoring opportunities. Odd man rushes and players left alone in the slot or at the side of the net were commonplace last night at the Phantoms end of the ice. |
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Event Spotlight: Houston Texans Hold National Conference Call Regarding Upcoming Expansion Draft Thursday, February 14, 2002
By David W. Unkle
The Houston Texans held a conference call yesterday to review their strategy for the upcoming NFL Expansion Draft. The 2002 entry into the AFC will select players from a pool of 155 qualified veteran players on February 18 at 3:00 PM Eastern. Participating in the call with the national media were Houston"s Charley Casserly, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Football Operations and Dom Capers, Head Coach. |
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Event Spotlight: Boardwalk Bullies Lack Punch in Shutout Loss to Cyclones Friday, February 8, 2002
By David W. Unkle
For forty minutes, the hometown Boardwalk Bullies were able to tread water despite being out shot by the Cincinnati Cyclones (27-17) but two goals in the third period proved too much to overcome for Atlantic City in a 3-0 loss before 5,453 fans. Playing with a depleted roster, the Bullies were unable to capitalize on five power play opportunities, including two in the pivotal third period. Jeff Sirkka opened the night's scoring at 3:58 of the first period giving Cincinnati the early 1-0 lead. |
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Event Spotlight: Titans Win 4-1; Lose Syl Apps in Final Seconds Wednesday, February 6, 2002
By David W. Unkle
Circle this date March 27, 2002; in the next to last home game of the regular season, the Titans play the Richmond Renegades on home ice. The Titans and their faithful fans will surely greet Richmond's Krys Barch with a warm Trenton welcome after his performance on Wednesday night. As if skating through the goal crease and upending Titans' goalie Dan Murphy wasn't enough, his hit on Syl Apps with 12.7 seconds solidified his spot as one of the most reviled opponents the Titans have faced all season. |
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Special Event: The Topcat & Taggart Sports Show Sunday afternoons in February 2002 are exciting on WNJC 1360-AM's: The Topcat & Taggart Sports Show. Wednesday, February 6, 2002
By David W. Unkle
Joining us on the show February 10, 2002 is Philadelphia Wings Captain, Dave Stilley. He is a fourth round draft choice of the Wings in the 1998 National Lacrosse League Entry Draft. Dave was a two-time captain at Duke University where he led the Blue Devils to the 1997 National Lacrosse Championship Final Four and was named a First Team All-American in 1997. |
 Event Spotlight:Unbeaten String Extends to Six Games as Phantoms Tie Flames 1-1 in Defensive Battle Sunday, February 3, 2002
By David W. Unkle
For 59 minutes and 45 seconds, the Phantoms couldn't solve Goalie Kay Whitmore. But the game has exactly sixty minutes in regulation and that difference was all the Phantoms needed Saturday night. Before an AHL season high crowd of 14,505 at the First Union Center in Philadelphia, the Phantoms came from behind with 14.3 seconds left in regulation as the teams skated to a 1-1 tie in overtime against the defending Calder Cup Champion Saint John Flames. |
 Event Spotlight:Wings Win in a Rout 21-13 over Rochester Knight-hawks Saturday, February 2, 2002
By David W. Unkle
For the 10,235 fans at the First Union Center in Philadelphia last night, this was truly a night to behold. For the Rochester Knight-hawks, waking up today on Groundhog Day could prove insightful. Will it soon be Spring and a run in the playoffs or a long winter after back-to-back losses against Toronto and Philadelphia? After last night's game, the latter looks like a distinct possibility. |
 Special Event:David "Topcat" Unkle From WNJC 1360-AM Sports Talk Joins Our Team Wednesday, January 30, 2002
By Gregg Williams
David W. Unkle is the host of The Topcat & Taggart Sports Show heard on WNJC 1360-AM every Sunday from 4:30-5:30 PM. David, a former semi-professional football player is paired in the studio with ice hockey player Jim Taggart and producer Josh Schilling. Together, they interview local and national sports personalities focusing on the athlete and the person. Interviews with: Basketball's Jack Ramsey, Pat Croce, and Pat Williams, NFL Referee Art Holst, Philadelphia Inquirer Sports Writer & Author Sam Carchidi, and numerous members of the Philadelphia-area professional sports scene (Philadelphia Wings, Philadelphia Phantoms, Philadelphia Eagles, Philadelphia Flyers, Philadelphia Phillies, Camden Riversharks, Trenton Thunder, and Trenton Titans) provide David's listening audience with a critical and informative exploration into the sport. David is also a feature writer for South Jersey Sports Online. |
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South Jersey Sports Online Inc. |
