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Norfolk Admirals

Admirals Run Into Hot Goaltender in Home Opener Loss to Monarchs

October 9, 2009 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Norfolk Admirals News Release


NORFOLK, Va. - Jonathan Bernier made 41 saves to propel the Manchester Monarchs (2-0-0-0) past the Norfolk Admirals (0-2-0-0) 2-1 the in the Admirals' home opener on Friday night at Norfolk Scope Arena.

After a scoreless opening frame, the visitors dented the twine just 1:20 into the second period. Bud Holloway forced a turnover in the right corner and passed the puck to teammate Oscar Moller behind Admirals goaltender Riku Helenius. Moller sent a pass to the left circle where defenseman Drew Bagnall sent a one-timer into the net for a 1-0 Manchester lead.

The Manchester lead doubled midway through the final frame. Oscar Moller had a partial breakaway on Helenius and sent a shot from the left faceoff circle that deflected off the Admirals netminder and under his leg pads at 13:43.

Moments after an apparent Brandon Bochenski goal was disallowed because the puck was kicked into the net, Bochenski made good with a legitimate goal at 16:02. He passed the puck from the bottom of the right circle toward the right point where Mike Lundin was stationed. Lundin skated along the blueline toward the high slot and drew Manchester's defenders to him. He then fired a pass back to an open Bochenski at the goalmouth. Bochenski sent a shot top-shelf past Monarchs netminder Jonathan Bernier for his first marker of the season.

However, the Admirals were unable to find the equalizer despite throwing 16 shots at Bernier in the final frame.

Riku Helenius (23 shots, 21 saves) took the loss. Jonathan Bernier (42 shots, 41 saves) earned the victory.

Norfolk was 0-7 on the power play. Manchester was 0-4.

The Admirals and Monarchs will square off again tomorrow night at Scope. Following that game, the Admirals will hold a public skating session for fans to skate with their favorite Admirals. For complete details, please visit norfolkadmirals.com.

Three Stars:

1. Jonathan Bernier - MCH

2. Drew Bagnall - MCH

3. Brandon Bochenski - NOR

*Notes* ... The Admirals are now 0-11 on the power play in their first two games of the 2009-10 season ... Norfolk fell to 5-4-1-0-0 in home openers since joining the American Hockey League ... With an assist on Bochenski's goal tonight, Blair Jones recorded his 98th career point as an Admiral and tied Shawn Thornton and Pavel Vorobiev for tenth on the all-time Norfolk (AHL) Admirals scoring list. Jones is only two points away from becoming the tenth player to record 100 points in his AHL Admirals career ... With a goal in Hershey last Saturday and an assist tonight, Jones is the only Admiral with multiple points thus far this season ... Scratches: F Tommy Goebel, F Chris Lawrence, D Scott Jackson, G Jaroslav Janus ... Attendance: 4,002.

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