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Norfolk Admirals

Norfolk Admirals Weekly

November 4, 2014 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Norfolk Admirals News Release


NORFOLK, Va. - On Halloween weekend the Admirals hosted Wilkes-Barre/Scranton for a two-game series for the first meetings of the season this past Friday and Saturday. Following the first road trip that ended up in three straight losses, the Admirals needed positive results before hitting the highway again this week.

Not only did both contests finish in Norfolk victories, they may have also contained the best hockey the Admirals have played thus far from start to finish at both ends of the ice. Every win for the Norfolk Admirals has come on home ice this season. This past weekend's sweep of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins improved the team's record to 4-2 at Scope Arena and 4-5-0-0 overall.

Friday night's game belonged to first-year Admiral, Brandon Yip. The veteran forward played the role of hero, scoring twice including the game-winning goal in overtime to propel the Admirals to a 3-2 win. Goalie Jason LaBarbera was solid between the pipes, stopping 14 shots in his second win of the season. He was helped by a pair of newcomers to the Norfolk blue line, NHL veteran Bryan Allen as well as youngster Shea Theodore, who recorded an assist in the game.

The Admirals completed the sweep of the Penguins on Saturday night with stiff defense. Norfolk tied a club record by allowing only one shot on net during the first period of play. Brad Winchester struck first on a three-on-one break, putting a no-look shot between the legs of Penguins' goalie Matt Murray. Nic Kerdiles gave Norfolk an insurance goal, his first of the year, as the team held on for a 2-1 victory.

Norfolk faces three tough tests as they hit the road for their next three contests. They face Bridgeport on Wednesday for an 11 a.m. start. The team then heads to Syracuse for back-to-back weekend match-ups with the Crunch. Syracuse currently sits in fourth place in the Northeast division with nine points.

ON THE RADIO/INTERNET

All regular-season games will air live on 1650 AM WHKT "The Answer" and online at 1650theanswer.com. AHL Live will also carry online video of every Admirals game on a pay-per-view or season pass basis. Fans can log in to watch, listen or get more information about AHL Live's online audio and video features at ahllive.com.

Tune in live to 1650 "The Answer" every Tuesday from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. for the "Admirals Hour" with the "Voice of the Admirals" Pete Michaud and the "Original Admiral" Dennis McEwen. Michaud and McEwen discuss the latest in Norfolk Admirals hockey, speak with guests, update you on the Anaheim Ducks, as well as answer any calls during the show. Ask Pete and Dennis your questions by calling in to the studio at 757-454-1650.

STANDINGS UPDATE

At 4-5-0-0 (8 points), the Admirals are in 4th place in the East Division and are in 14th place in the Eastern Conference.

Eight teams in each conference shall qualify for the 2015 Calder Cup Playoffs. Following the conclusion of each team's 76-game regular season, the three division winners in each conference will be seeded 1-3 (in order of regular-season points) and the next five best teams (in order of regular-season points) will be seeded 4-8.

THE ADMIRALS' WEEK AHEAD

Wed., Nov. 5 ... at Bridgeport Sound Tigers (New York Islanders) ... 11 a.m.

Fri., Nov. 7 ... at Syracuse Crunch (Tampa Bay Lightning) ... 7:00 p.m.

Sat., Nov. 8 ... at Syracuse Crunch (Tampa Bay Lightning) ... 7:00 p.m.

ADMIRALS SPOTLIGHT

- Goaltender Jason LaBarbera enjoyed a wild weekend that spanned from the east coast to the west coast in 24 hours. Friday, LaBarbera earned the 3-2 overtime victory with Norfolk and Saturday it was a 2-1 win he logged against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. Late Saturday night, LaBarbera received word that Anaheim needed him to back up John Gibson Sunday versus the Colorado Avalanche. During warm-ups in Denver on Sunday, Gibson suffered a lower-body injury, forcing LaBarbera into the lineup and Ducks' goaltending consultant Dwayne Roloson into the reserve spot. Luckily for Anaheim, both LaBarbera and the Ducks left in one piece after a 3-2 win over the Avalanche in which the veteran call-up made 16 saves. He turned aside a total of 52 shots on the weekend.

ADMIRALS' LOG

Brandon Yip showed up in a big way on Halloween when he scored two goals and added an assist in the overtime win versus Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. It was his first multi-point game as an Admiral and his first game-winner of the year. The top line of Brad Winchester, Chris Wagner and Brandon Yip have produced 19 total points this season. Each player ranks in the top four on the team in points. Winchester and Wagner are tied for the team lead in points with seven. Yip has five points.

NORFOLK LEADERS

Chris Wagner (5)

Assists: Nic Kerdiles (5)

Points: Chris Wagner, Brad Winchester (7)

Games: Nine players tied (9)

PP Goals: Brad Winchester (2)

SH Goals: Chris Wagner (2)

+/- Rating: Nathan McIver, Chris Wagner (+4)

0 Nathan McIver (42)

0 Jason LaBarbera (2.80)

A0 Jason LaBarbera (.898)

A0 Jason LaBarbera (3)

Losses: Igor Bobkov, Jason LaBarbera (2)

0 Jason LaBarbera (5)

Minutes: Jason LaBarbera (300:06)

ABOUT THIS WEEKEND'S MATCHUPS

The Anaheim Ducks recalled goaltender Jason LaBarbera on Sunday and now Igor Bobkov. LaBarbera, who most recently backstopped the Admirals to a sweep over Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, will hand over the reins to a pair of netminders from ECHL Utah. Ryan Faragher, signed by the Ducks last year out of St. Cloud State, and Etienne Marcoux are expected to man the crease on the upcoming road trip as of now. Up front, Head Coach Jarrod Skalde will look for the Admirals to retain their scoring momentum from last weekend. Chris Wagner continues to lead the way among skaters with his seven points, three of which came during Friday's game. While fellow point leader Brad Winchester was held off the scoresheet against the Admirals' first match against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Brandon Yip exploded for two goals and an assist on Friday, including the overtime game-winner. Rookie Shea Theodore registered an assist in each of his two games.

Meanwhile, Tigers goaltender Kevin Poulin has allowed just two goals in his last two starts, totaling 64 saves. Poulin's save percentage is 12th overall in the AHL and fifth among netminders who have appeared in five or more games this season. Captain Aaron Ness is on a three-game point streak dating back to October 26, while winger Harry Zolnierczyk is 19th in the league in scoring with nine points in as many games. Bridgeport's loss against Springfield on Sunday was their first home concession since falling to the IceCaps in their season opener. Three of the four matchups between the Admirals and Tigers were decided in a shootout, so don't be surprised if their mid-week matinee goes beyond 60 minutes.

BRIDGEPORT LEADERS

Anders Lee, Harry Zolnierczyk (3)

Assists: Alan Quine (7)

Points: Harry Zolnierczyk (9)

Games: Six players tied (9)

PP Goals: Anders Lee, Ryan Pulock, Harry Zolnierczyk (2)

SH Goals: Chris Langkow (1)

+/- Rating: Kevin Czuczman, Aaron Ness, Ryan Pulock (+4)

0 Andrey Pedan (27)

0 Kevin Poulin (2.30)

A0 Kevin Poulin (.930)

A0 Kevin Poulin (3)

Losses: David Leggio (2)

0 Kevin Poulin (5)

Minutes: Kevin Poulin (312:43)

Syracuse is led by their goaltending duo of Andrei Vasilevskiy and Kristers Gudlevskis, whose save percentages sit at 30th and 34th in league standings, respectively. Jonathan Marchessault has scored at least one point in all but two games this season, including a streak during which he notched seven points in five games, and is fourth in the AHL in plus-minus rating at a +9. Cedric Paquette, who was sent down by the Tampa Bay Lightning on Halloween, is slotted at 18th in the league in goals with four. Syracuse will aim to improve upon last year's showing against the Admirals, which saw the Crunch drop all four games as host. Special teams will no doubt play a role in the squads' pair of games this weekend, as their combined 493 minutes in penalties this season promise multiple trips to the sin bin.

SYRACUSE LEADERS

Cedric Paquette (4)

Assists: Jonathan Marchessault (5)

Points: Jonathan Marchessault (8)

Games: Nine players tied (9)

PP Goals: Slater Koekkoek, Nikita Nesterov, Tanner Richard (1)

SH Goals: None

+/- Rating: Jonathan Marchessault (+9)

0 Jean-Phillippe Cote (38)

0 Andrei Vasilevskiy (2.71)

A0 Kristers Gudlevskis (.908)

A0 Kristers Gudlevskis (3)

Losses: Kristers Gudlevskis, Andrei Vasilevskiy (2)

0 Kristers Gudlevskis (5)

Minutes: Kristers Gudlevskis (303:48)

**UPCOMING EVENTS AND PROMOTIONS**

Friday, November 14 vs. Binghamton Senators

- Tattoo Night

Our very first Tattoo Night means discounted tickets for all those with ink! Show your appropriately visible tattoo at the Scope Box Office and receive a discounted Admirals' ticket. Temporary Admiral logo tattoos will be given away at the door.

Saturday, November 15 vs. Binghamton Senators

- EVMS Diabetes Awareness Night

A portion of ticket sales will benefit the EVMS Strelitz Diabetes Center (SDC) in Norfolk.

TICKETS

Individual tickets are on sale now at the Scope Box Office, all Ticketmaster Outlets, charge-by-phone at 1-800-745-3000, and online at ticketmaster.com. Don't miss a minute of Admirals action by purchasing your season tickets today. Stop by the Admirals' Administrative Offices at Scope, call (757) 640-1212 weekdays from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. or visit norfolkadmirals.com anytime.

Check out the Norfolk Admirals Statistics

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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