AHL Norfolk Admirals

3-0 Defeat Gives Admirals Fourth Straight Loss

October 26, 2014 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Norfolk Admirals News Release


HARTFORD, Conn. - Sunday afternoon at the XCEL Center was not kind to the Admirals. After three straight losses, the Admirals appeared to finally receive some good news before today's game in Hartford. The Anaheim Ducks re-assigned forward Chris Wagner to Norfolk in time for the 3 p.m. faceoff with the Wolf Pack. Wagner was called up to the NHL after leading the Admirals with four goals in the teams' first two games. His presence had been sorely missed especially after the Admirals lost both Max Friberg and Stefan Noesen to long-term injuries.

In the first period, Matt Bailey took an early interference penalty, which was the first test for an Admirals team struggling in their own zone. Thanks to a couple key saves from goalie Jason LaBarbera, Norfolk was able to successfully kill off the man advantage.

Immediately after the two teams' traded infractions, Hartford's Connor Allen found Danny Kristo alone at the blue line. The forward raced in on a breakaway and beat LaBarbera between the legs, putting the Wolf Pack up 1-0 at 9:22 of the first period. Neither team would find the back of the net for the rest of the period. The Admirals have yet to score the first goal of the game this season.

Ryan Bourque put home his third goal of the year on an innocent looking shot that somehow found its way to the back of the net. Bourque's goal, assisted by Mat Bodie and Dylan McIlrath, gave Hartford the 2-0 lead 3:22 into the second period. Moments later, Ryan Haggerty took exception to a check thrown by Norfolk's Nic Kerdiles and the two dropped the gloves in a spirited bout. It was Kerdiles' second fight in two games and third this season for the tenacious winger.

Following Saturday's game which was loaded with penalties, the Admirals continued to struggle with discipline this afternoon. After Kerdiles spent five minutes in the box, both John Kurtz and Josh Manson shared time in the sin bin. Brad Winchester was quick to follow as he spent two minutes in the box for tripping, creating two separate 5-on-3 power play chances for Hartford. Luckily for the Admirals, the penalty kill was successful both times, preserving a two-goal deficit heading into the third period.

The Admirals showed their first signs of life early in the game's final frame. The Norfolk offense sustained pressure in the Hartford zone for more than a minute, but goalie Mackenzie Skapski stood tall. Louis Leblanc took an interference penalty midway through the period and Hartford made the Admirals pay. Justin Vaive deflected a shot from the point as the power play unit gave the Wolf Pack a 3-0 lead 10:48 into the third period..

It was the first AHL start for Skapski between the pipes for Hartford. He faced pressure late as the Admirals pushed for offensive opportunities, but Skapski never faltered. The rookie stopped all 16 shots he faced, earning the shutout. The Admirals dropped all three games in their weekend road trip as they fell to Hartford, 3-0.

The Admirals return home for the "Zombie A-Hockey-Lypse" on Halloween night. They face the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, with puck drop set for 7:30 p.m. Saturday's game against the Penguins is slated for 7:15 p.m.

Three Stars:

1) HFD Mackenzie Skapski (16 saves)

2) HFD Danny Kristo (1G, 1A)

3) HFD Justin Vaive (1G)

NOTES ... Regulars Nathan McIver and Charlie Sarault were among the Admirals' healthy scratches ... Shots on goal favored Hartford, 29-16 ... Josh Manson finished the game with a -2 rating ... Nic Kerdiles led the Admirals with four shots on net and five penalty minutes ... Hartford went 1/6 with the man advantage while Norfolk finished 0/3.

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American Hockey League Stories from October 26, 2014


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