NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, CFL stats



Norfolk Admirals

Norfolk Admirals Weekly

February 24, 2015 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Norfolk Admirals News Release


NORFOLK, Va. - The Norfolk Admirals weekend trip away started with two losses to the Worcester Sharks, but it ended with a win against the Bridgeport Sound Tigers.

Friday night didn't go well for the Admirals when they could only produce two goals in the 5-2 loss to the Sharks. Worcester had two goals in hand before the horn sounded to end the first period thanks to Dylan DeMelo and Trevor Parkes. The Admirals gained some momentum when Antoine Laganiere scored less than five minutes into the second frame, cutting the lead in half. That momentum faded by the end of the period, however, as Willie Coetzee bagged a power-play goal with four minutes to go in the second and Evan Trupp added another at 18:08 for a 4-1 advantage going to the third. Three minutes into the final frame, Micheal Haley made it 5-1 on the third power-play strike of the night for Worcester, the most goals given up on the man advantage in one game this season by Norfolk. Matt Bailey's persistence in front generated a power-play marker for the Admirals late before the Sharks seized a comfortable 5-2 victory Friday at the DCU Center.

Things went the Sharks' way once more on Saturday night. Norfolk lit the lamp first off Charlie Sarault's stick, but Matt Taormina evened the score with five minutes left to play in the first period. Worcester had the only goal of the second and again enjoyed a lead after 40 minutes. The Admirals' Stefan Noesen used a tip at 8:49 of the third for the second tie of the game, 2-2. The Sharks countered four and a half minutes later with two goals in 46 seconds stretching the gap to 4-2 with six minutes to go in regulation. Mark Fistric's wrister at 17:45 pulled the Admirals within one, but Worcester held off Norfolk for the remaining 2:15 for its third straight win over the Admirals and a 3-1 season series victory.

A win arrived in the road trip finale against the Bridgeport Sound Tigers on Sunday afternoon. Charlie Sarault scored a goal in back-to-back games for the first time this season and pushed Norfolk into the initial lead as a power play ended. The lead lasted less than six minutes as Johan Sundstrom matched Sarault for his fifth marker of the year 71 seconds into the middle period on a shot that went through three Admirals' legs. Exactly 45 seconds later, Noesen reappeared by finishing a backhand one-timed off of a William Karlsson dish across the slot. Alan Quine promptly responded two minutes later to tie the game once again. All three goals happened in the span of 2:41 in the second period and set up a 2-2 contest heading to the final 20 minutes. Another goal wouldn't come until 19:15 of the third period. Max Friberg hassled Bridgeport goalie Kevin Poulin on a rebound at the top of the crease and snuck the putback between Poulin's legs for the 3-2 game-winner with 45 seconds left.

The Admirals return to the comfort of Scope for the next four games. They host the Providence Bruins for the first time this season in a back-to-back weekend matchup starting Friday, February 27. The following week, divisional foe Binghamton comes to Hampton Roads for a rare Wednesday-Friday set.

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 22-26-3-3 (50 points), the Admirals are in 5th place in the East Division and are tied for 13th 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., Feb. 27 ... vs. Providence Bruins (Boston Bruins) ... 7:30 p.m.

Sat., Feb. 28 ... vs. Providence Bruins (Boston Bruins) ... 7:15 p.m.

ADMIRALS SPOTLIGHT

- After allowing nine goals in two games, former Admiral goaltender John Gibson has strung three wins in a row together allowing seven goals in that span. Gibson, 21, is now 6-4-0 in 11 games for the Ducks this season. Since his call-up in early February, he is 4-2.

- Emerson Etem scored his first goal for Anaheim since November 15 Monday night versus Detroit. The former Admiral who logged 22 games with Norfolk this season rolled a shot gently towards Red Wings netminder Jimmy Howard that fooled Howard through his pads to tie the game. Etem had a smooth 21 points through 22 games for the Admirals this year.

ADMIRALS LOG

Norfolk forward Charlie Sarault notched markers in two straight games this weekend. It's the first time this season Sarault has tallied a goal in back-to-back contests. He's got a balanced five goals and five assists in 2014-15 and three goals in seven games this month. Stefan Noesen enters the upcoming series with Providence on a two-game streak like Sarault. Noesen, a Texas native, recorded an assist in each of his first two games back since suffering a lower-body injury in the fourth game of the season. Held off the scoresheet in the next pair, Noesen resurfaced with markers over the weekend on Saturday and Sunday.

NORFOLK LEADERS

Goals: Chris Wagner (13)

Assists: Brendan Bell (22)

Points: Nic Kerdiles, Chris Wagner (26)

Games: Dave Steckel (54)

PP Goals: Louis Leblanc (5)

SH Goals: Chris Wagner (2)

+/- Rating: Mark Fistric (1)

PIM: Nathan McIver (141)

GAA: Jason LaBarbera (2.42)

Spct: Jason LaBarbera (.917)

Wins: Jason LaBarbera (7)

Losses: Jason LaBarbera (14; 4 in OT)

GPl: Jason LaBarbera (22)

Minutes: Jason LaBarbera (1266:14)

ABOUT THIS WEEK ' S MATCHUPS

Norfolk returns to Virginia after a four-game road trip to host a two-game set against Providence. The Admirals and Bruins have not clashed since October 24 in Rhode Island, a matchup the hosts took, 4-0, off a 39-save shutout by Jeremy Smith. Norfolk has the chance to gain the lead in the series this weekend, and will take on Providence once more this season in March.

The Admirals suffered a sweep from the Worcester Sharks on Friday and Saturday, being outscored 9-5 over the two games. Sunday ' s matinee, however, went in the visitors ' favor, as a goal by Max Friberg with 45 seconds left sealed the contest. The Admirals are currently tied for 13th in the East and sit five points back of the Phantoms and Devils for 11th. With Nic Kerdiles out (upper-body), Max Friberg and Stefan Noesen have helped replace the scoring, combining for six points in the last four games. Stefan Noesen has shown no signs of residual effects or tentativeness since returning from injury, putting up four points in six contests this month and attempts to extend a two-game goal streak. Charlie Sarault had an excellent weekend as well, burying a goal against Worcester and Bridgeport. With John Gibson and Jason LaBarbera in Anaheim, the Admirals turn to rookie Ryan Faragher. Faragher has played in four games for Norfolk this season, and earned his first AHL win on Sunday in a 27-save performance. The familiarity of Scope Arena should help alleviate the penalty kill hiccups suffered over the weekend; the Admirals are first in the AHL at home when a man down, with an 89.7% success rate.

Providence comes into Norfolk on a two-game skid, having fallen to Hershey in overtime on Sunday evening, despite outshooting the Bears 15-3 in the third period. Fortunately for the Admirals, Providence is currently without four of its top 10 leading scorers: the most recent casualty is Ryan Spooner, who potted two goals in Friday ' s win over Lehigh Valley then skated for Boston on Sunday. Alexander Khokhlachev holds down the fort, though, compiling 35 points in 42 games and seven in his last eight. Ben Youds is also a player to keep an eye on, as the defenseman marked four points in six games in February. The Admirals will likely face Jeremy Smith in net, who has been solid for the Bruins with a 2.08 goals-against average that ranks sixth in the AHL, and .931 save percentage which ranks fourth. Providence is mediocre on special teams as the visitors, coming in at 22nd on the power play (13.9%) and 16th on the penalty kill (83.6%).

PROVIDENCE LEADERS

Goals: Alexander Khokhlachev (13)

Assists: Alexander Khokhlachev (22)

Points: Alexander Khokhlachev (35)

Games: Justin Florek, Tyler Randell (54)

PP Goals: Seth Griffith, Alexander Khokhlachev, Ethan Werek (4)

SH Goals: Tyler Randell (2)

+/- Rating: Chris Casto (8)

PIM: Tyler Randell (67)

GAA: Jeremy Smith (2.08)

Spct: Jeremy Smith (.931)

Wins: Jeremy Smith (14)

Losses: Malcolm Subban (14; 4 in OT)

GPl: Jeremy Smith (26)

Minutes: Jeremy Smith (1560:05)

**UPCOMING EVENTS AND PROMOTIONS**

Friday, February 27 vs. Providence

- American Cancer Society Night

ACS Night benefits ACS by donating a percentage of ticket sales to the organization

- Faith and Family Night

February 27 is our annual Faith and Family Night at Scope! Church groups can purchased reduced price Red-Level tickets for $11 per person through the Admirals' Administrative Office. The Clearview Church Band performs during Party on the Plaza at Scope starting at 6 p.m. before the game.

Saturday, February 28 vs. Providence

- Virginia Beach Education Foundation Night

Support Virginia Beach City Public Schools by purchasing $13 Red Level tickets with $4 from each ticket sale donated to the foundation. Visit the Virginia Beach Education Foundation page at vbschools.com for more information.

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

• Discuss this story on the American Hockey League message board...

American Hockey League Stories from February 24, 2015


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.

Other Recent Norfolk Admirals Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central