Sim hat trick leads Phantoms

A second-period outburst by Jon Sim lifted Philadelphia to a 4-1 win over Hershey in an East Division battle at the Wachovia Spectrum on Friday night.

Sim scored three consecutive goals in a span of 8:37 early in the period, his 17th, 18th and 19th goals of the season.

Todd Fedoruk assisted on all three goals, and R.J. Umberger added two assists. Tony Voce ended the scoring with 2:49 left in regulation.

Antero Niittymaki finished with 34 saves as the Phantoms held onto a share of first place in the East.

Cody McCormick scored the lone goal for the Bears.

Attendance in Philadelphia was 13,226.

Elsewhere on Friday:
Binghamton kept pace with Philadelphia with a 5-3 win at Albany, as Jason Spezza, Brandon Bochenski and Denis Hamel recorded a goal and an assist each… Norfolk stayed one point back of the East leaders, as former IceCats captain Eric Nickulas broke a tie with 5:57 left in regulation to help the Admirals over Worcester, 3-1… Chris Campoli scored on a power play 38 seconds into overtime to give Bridgeport a 2-1 win at Hartford… Matt Underhill made 16 saves and Brad Boyes scored twice as Providence blanked Portland, 5-0… Kip Miller had a pair of goals for Grand Rapids in a 4-2 win over Milwaukee… Jason Pominville earned his seventh game-winning goal of the season in Rochester’s 4-2 win over Hamilton… Tim Brent scored with 16 seconds left in regulation as Cincinnati beat Houston, 3-2… Ryan Craig scored twice as Springfield doubled up Lowell, 4-2.