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Norfolk Admirals

Norfolk Admirals Weekly

December 17, 2014 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Norfolk Admirals News Release


NORFOLK, Va. - With the help of two NHL veterans, the Norfolk Admirals were able to win two out of three games last week at Scope. Reassigned on conditioning stints, both winger Dany Heatley and goalie Ilya Bryzgalov provided sparks to help the Admirals to one of their most impressive wins of the season.

Wednesday night saw the Admirals defeat the Charlotte Checkers for the third time this season. Two of the team's hottest forwards of late, Louis Leblanc and Max Friberg found the back of the net as Norfolk dominated the majority of the game. Defenseman Mat Clark also scored his first goal of the season and thanks to a pair of assists, Nic Kerdiles took over the team lead with 15 points on the year. Goalie Yann Danis recorded his second shutout in the 3-0 win, but it would be the last action the netminder would see for the week.

2010 Vezina Trophy Finalist, Ilya Bryzgalov and four-time NHL all-star, Dany Heatley joined the Admirals lineup for Friday night's game against Springfield. Friberg potted his fourth goal of the season, but the AHL's hottest team, the Falcons, would hold on for the win. Goalie Anton Forsberg stopped 26 shots, including a last minute penalty shot attempt by Emerson Etem to seal the 3-1 Springfield win.

Saturday's rematch between the two teams' proved to be the Admirals' most inspiring 60 minutes of hockey to date. After falling behind 2-0, Norfolk stormed back to score three goals in the span of less than four minutes in the second period. Antoine Laganiere, Etem and Joseph Cramarossa all found twine in a frantic second frame. Etem added his second power-play marker of the night in the third period and Bryzgalov stood tall between the pipes as the Admirals were victorious in a 4-3 final.

Heatley was able to provide veteran leadership and undoubtedly took pressure off his line-mate, Etem, which helped the youngster on the way to his best performance of the season Saturday evening. Bryzgalov surrendered a total of five goals in two games, and both he and Heatley rejoined the NHL's Anaheim Ducks yesterday.

The Admirals enter this weekend's matchups with Bridgeport at 11-16-0-0 record and 22 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 AM "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 11-16-0-0 (22 points), the Admirals are in 5th place in the East Division and are in 15th 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

Fri., Dec. 19 ... vs. Bridgeport Sound Tigers (New York Islanders) ... 7:30 p.m.

Sat., Dec. 20 ... vs. Bridgeport Sound Tigers (New York Islanders) ... 7:15 p.m.

ADMIRALS SPOTLIGHT

- Rickard Rakell is expected to appear on the Ducks' third line tonight versus Toronto. Since Rakell's reassignment to Norfolk and recall back to Anaheim the first week of December, the 21-year-old has three assists in the last four games. That total matches his assist count from the first 17 games he skated in this season for the Ducks.

- Former Admiral and workhorse netminder Frederik Andersen will most likely lengthen his career-high starts streak this evening against the Maple Leafs. The streak sits at 18 straight games that Andersen has started in net, and his record in that span is 10-3-4. The 25-year-old from Denmark backstopped the Ducks to each of their wins in their running seven-game win streak. In only his second full year in the NHL, Andersen is 17-4-4 with a 2.38 goals-against average and .915 save percentage. He's tied for second in the NHL in wins and third in time-on-ice for goaltenders (1,512:18).

ADMIRALS' LOG

Winger Nic Kerdiles is now in sole possession of the team lead in points (17) with six goals and 11 assists. He tries to extend his assist streak this weekend after coming up with four in the last three games. Both Ilya Bryzgalov and Dany Heatley have returned to Anaheim following conditioning stints in Norfolk. They each played in two games for the Admirals, both against the Springfield Falcons who currently lead the Eastern Conference. Heatley made his AHL debut on Friday and went scoreless on the weekend while Bryzgalov went 1-1 allowing five goals and posting a .915 save percentage. Since his return from an injury suffered on the first shift of the season, forward Max Friberg has nine points in 10 games. He's provided a boost in the offensive zone like the coaching staff expected and carries a four-game point streak (2g, 3a) into the upcoming Bridgeport series.

NORFOLK LEADERS

Goals: Louis Leblanc, Chris Wagner (8)

Assists: Brendan Bell (12)

Points: Nic Kerdiles (17)

Games: Four players tied (27)

PP Goals: Louis Leblanc (4)

SH Goals: Chris Wagner (2)

+/- Rating: Jared Nightingale (1)

PIM: John Kurtz (78)

GAA: Yann Danis (2.72)

Spct: Yann Danis (.914)

Wins: Yann Danis (5)

Losses: Yann Danis (6)

GPl: Yann Danis (11)

Minutes: Yann Danis (640:08)

ABOUT THIS WEEKEND ' S MATCHUPS

Norfolk finishes up its five-game homestand this weekend against Bridgeport before heading out on a three-game divisional jaunt to Lehigh Valley, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and Hershey. The Admirals and Sound Tigers have faced off just once this season, which Bridgeport took 3-1, helped largely by Harry Zolnierczyk ' s two assists. The contest focused on special teams, as just one of the game ' s four goals was scored on even strength.

Currently on a three-game point streak, Nic Kerdiles has led the charge for the Admirals, scoring seven points in his last seven outings and ranking ninth among all rookies in scoring. Max Friberg is showing his injury to be a thing of the past, having now registered a point in four straight games and nine of 10 since his return. Defenseman Mat Clark has been a welcome addition to the team, contributing a goal and assist in his five games since his most recent reassignment by Anaheim. After being held off the scoresheet for six straight games, Antoine Laganiere has exploded for four points in his last five. The Admirals continue to prove their skill on special teams at home, ranking sixth on the power play (22.2%) and third on the penalty kill (88.7%). Holding a lead will be key, as Norfolk is a dominant 7-1 when leading after two periods.

The Sound Tigers will be eager for a win. They come in on a three-game losing skid and sit just one point behind Albany for eighth in the Eastern Conference. Last weekend the Tigers earned only one of four points, most recently fighting out of a two-goal hole against Hartford to force overtime. It was momentous for Colton Gillies, who recorded his first career two-goal game. Bridgeport has enjoyed balanced scoring, with eight different players logging over 10 points on the season, and three with over 20 points. Kael Mouillierat and Harry Zolnierczyk are a dangerous duo, having notched a combined five points in five games this month and 27 points in 14 games in November. Reassigned on Saturday, former Calder Cup-winning Admiral Cory Conacher will undoubtedly be a big help to the team. While Bridgeport excels on the power play, ranking first in the league at 26.0%, they struggle on the road. The Sound Tigers are without a regulation victory away from home since November 14.

BRIDGEPORT LEADERS

Goals: Ryan Pulock, Harry Zolnierczyk (9)

Assists: Kael Mouillierat, Alan Quine (15)

Points: Kael Mouillierat, Harry Zolnierczyk (22)

Games: Kael Mouillierat, Harry Zolnierczyk (26)

PP Goals: Ryan Pulock (8)

SH Goals: Justin Courtnall, Chris Langkow, Zolnierczyk (1)

+/- Rating: Kevin Czuczman (5)

PIM: Brett Gallant (88)

GAA: Kevin Poulin (2.56)

Spct: Kevin Poulin (.924)

Wins: Kevin Poulin (9)

Losses: Kevin Poulin (9; 4 in OT)

GPl: Kevin Poulin (18)

Minutes: Kevin Poulin (1076:07)

**UPCOMING EVENTS AND PROMOTIONS**

Friday, December 19 vs. Bridgeport Sound Tigers

- "Roll Back the Clock" Night

The only night of the 2014-15 season when fans can purchase hot dogs, popcorn and soft drinks for only 50 cents!

Saturday, December 20 vs. Bridgeport Sound Tigers

- Star Wars Night

Our first-ever Star Wars-themed game day hits Scope this Saturday. Doors open at 6 p.m. with game time at 7:15. Characters from the popular motion picture franchise will be patrolling the concourse throughout the night and photo opportunities will be available during intermissions.

- Post-Game Skate with the Admirals

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.

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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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