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 Norfolk Admirals

Admirals Score Early, But Bears Win Washington AHL Showcase

December 6, 2012 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Norfolk Admirals News Release


WASHINGTON, D.C. - Brandon McMillan scored just 10 seconds into the game, but the Norfolk Admirals (9-12-0-0) fell to the Hershey Bears (10-11-1-0), 2-1, in the Washington AHL Showcase, presented by GEICO, on Thursday night in front of 18,506 people at a sold out at Verizon Center in Washington, D.C.

Norfolk netminder Frederik Andersen (6-6-0) stopped 28 of 30 shots in the setback. The Admirals killed all eight Hershey power plays, increasing their streak of opponent power plays killed to 30 over the last four-plus games.

The Admirals will visit the Binghamton Senators on Saturday night before returning to Scope on December 14th and 15th against the Bridgeport Sound Tigers.

Norfolk wasted little time starting the scoring in the contest. Rod Pelley won the opening faceoff to Sami Vatanen, who sent it to McMillan entering the attacking zone. McMillan sent a shot from the top of the left circle past Bears goaltender Braden Holtby just 0:10 into the contest for his second goal of the season.

Hershey tied the game at 1-1 midway through the first period. Zach Hamill sent a pass from the right circle to Evan Barlow in the left circle. Barlow sent a wrist shot past Andersen at 13:54 to tie the game at 1-1.

Neither team found the back of the net in the second period, as Holtby turned aside 11 Norfolk shots and Andersen stopped seven Hershey shots.

The Bears took the lead early in the third period. Ryan Potulny sent a slap shot from the right circle past Andersen at 4:26.

The Admirals were unable to get the equalizer past Holtby (8-7-0), who stopped eight Norfolk shots in the third period and 26 of 27 shots in the contest.

Norfolk was 0-for-6 on the power play. Hershey was 0-for-8.

Saturday's game against the Binghamton Senators from the Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena begins at 7:05 p.m. It can be heard on 102.1-FM, 1490-AM, 1021TheGame.com and viewed on AHLLive.com.

The Admirals return to Scope on Friday and Saturday, December 14th and 15th, against the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. Friday night's game is the Admirals' annual Toy Toss. Admirals fans are asked to bring new stuffed toys to that game to throw onto the ice after the Admirals score their first goal. Toys will be collected for the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots.

Also, the first 2,000 fans through the gates will receive the first set of 2012-13 Admirals trading cards, courtesy of Michael and Son Services and JPM Financial Services/John's Tax Service.

Saturday night is Norfolk's annual Pucks 'n' Paws Night to benefit the Virginia Beach SPCA and Chesapeake Humane Society. Discounted tickets are available - including tickets to bring your small or medium-sized dog to the game. For more details or to buy tickets, visit norfolkadmirals.com/groups.

Also on Saturday, the Admirals will hold their second post-game skate of the season where fans can skate at Scope with their favorite Admirals following the game. A limited number of skates will be available or fans may bring their own skates.

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.

Three Stars:

1. Ryan Potulny - HER

2. Evan Barlow - HER

3. Braden Holtby - HER

NOTES ... Norfolk has killed 30 consecutive opponent power plays over their last five games dating back to a Chad Kolarik power play goal on November 24th at Connecticut ... Hershey has not scored a power play goal in 19 chances over the three games played between the teams this season ... Norfolk has not allowed more than two goals in a contest in the last three games ... Brandon McMillan's goal 10 seconds into the contest was the fastest to start a game in the American Hockey League since Chicago Wolves player Tim Miller scored nine seconds into the game on March 11, 2011, vs. Peoria ... The fastest goal scored in AHL Admirals history was by Zenon Konopka eight seconds into a game against the Manchester Monarchs at Norfolk Scope Arena on January 9, 2009 ... Tonight's crowd of 18,506 was the eleventh-largest crowd to see a regular season game in American Hockey League history (the seventh-largest crowd for a game played indoors) ... The largest regular season crowd Norfolk had previously played in front of in AHL Admirals history was 14,926 on February 9, 2003, against the Chicago Wolves at Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois ... Did not play: Nate Guenin, Matt Smaby, Nick Schaus, Jay Rosehill.


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