AHL Norfolk Admirals

Admirals and Phantoms Defeat Each Other on the Road

Published on December 8, 2003 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Norfolk Admirals News Release


VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – The Admirals and Phantoms faced each other in a home-and-home series last weekend, with each team claiming a victory at the other's home arena. On Friday, December 5, Ajay Baines scored a pair of power play goals and Steve Passmore made 29 saves as the Blue and Gold shut out the Phantoms 2-0 in Philadelphia. The next evening, the Phantoms' Ben Stafford scored with just under 30 seconds left in regulation to give his squad a 3-2 win at Scope.

Norfolk plays host to three teams this week. The Worcester IceCats (St. Louis Blues) make their lone appearance of the season in Hampton Roads on Wednesday, December 10 at 7:15 p.m. The Hershey Bears (Colorado Avalanche/Tampa Bay Lightning) return to Scope for a 7:30 p.m. match up on Friday, December 12. On Saturday, December 13, the Admirals square off against the Philadelphia Phantoms (Philadelphia Phantoms) at 7:30 p.m.

The Admirals are currently sixth in the East Division with 22 points (8-13-3-3). They trail Bridgeport (14-3-5-1, 34 points), Hershey (14-6-4-2, 34 points), Philadelphia (13-9-3-1, 30 points), Binghamton (11-9-2-2, 26 points) and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (9-9-3-2, 23 points), and are followed by Albany (6-10-4-2, 18 points).

THE WEEK AHEAD

Wednesday, December 10...Norfolk vs. Worcester IceCats...7:15 p.m.

The Admirals are 0-3-0-0 all-time against the IceCats including a 4-0 loss in Worcester on November 8. The IceCats have played better on the road this year, posting a 6-3-3-0 mark in opposing venues while going just 5-6-2-0 at home (11-9-5-0, 27 points overall). Worcester is tied with Bridgeport for the fourth-best power play unit in the League (17.2) while the club's penalty killers are 14th in the AHL (86.5). The Blues' farm team is fourth overall in shots per game (31.88) and third in shots allowed per game (26.64) behind Hartford (24.33) and Norfolk (26.04). Marc Brown tops the squad with 7+11=18 points. Mike Glumac shares the team lead in goals with Brown, and with 16 points (nine assists), Glumac is tied with Milwaukee's Timofei Shishkanov for fourth among AHL rookie scorers. Several players have 11 helpers for the most assists on the IceCats. The highest plus/minus rating on Worcester belongs to Jay McClement at plus-6 while the lowest rating of minus-6 is held by Steve McLaren and Johnny Pohl. McLaren's 112 PIM are most on the team and third-most in the AHL. Reinhard Divis has seen the bulk of time in net, posting a 9-8-5 record with a 2.38 GAA and a .910 spct. in 22 outings. He is among the top five goalies in the League in wins. Curtis Sanford is 2-1-0 with a 3.69 GAA and a .851 spct. in five games, while Levente Szuper has made three appearances, recording no decisions, a 4.53 GAA and a .821 spct.

Friday, December 5...Norfolk vs. Hershey Bears ...7:30 p.m.

Norfolk has just one win in six tries against the Bears this year (1-4-1-0). Hershey continues to jockey for the first position in the East Division with Bridgeport, and is currently tied in points with the Sound Tigers (34 each). The Bears' eight road victories (8-2-2-0) are most in the Eastern Conference. They are 17th in the AHL on the power play (13.6) and 24th when shorthanded (82.8). Eric Perrin leads the club in assists (16) and points (23, seven goals). He is among the top 10 in the League in points, and the top five in helpers. Pascal Trepanier has 1+15=16 points to place him third among AHL defensemen in scoring (Bryan Muir, MCH, 6+16=22 points; Marty Wilford, NOR, 2+16=18 points). He is also third in assists by a blueliner to Muir and Wilford. Marc Busenberg's plus-10 rating is best on the Bears, while Bruce Richardson's minus-9 rating is the lowest. Tom Lawson is 6-2-0 with a 2.25 GAA and a .938 spct. in 10 appearances. Peter Budaj has posted a record of 8-6-4 with a 2.65 GAA and a .920 spct. in 18 games.

Saturday, December 13...Norfolk vs. Philadelphia Phantoms...7:30 p.m.

The clubs are 2-2-1-0 against each other this season. The Phantoms lead the AHL with 736 penalty minutes, 28.31 PIM per game, 203 minor penalties and 42 major penalties. Their power play unit is sixth in the League (16.8) while their penalty killers are 18th (85.3). Kirby Law is the team's scoring leader with 11+14=25 points, and he is tied with Jeff Hamilton (BRI) for third in the League in scoring. Former Admiral Peter White has the most assists on the club (16). White has 22 points (six goals) while Mike Peluso, another former Norfolk skater, has 8+7=15 points. Kirk Furey has a plus-8 rating, the best among active Phantoms, while Wade Skolney has the lowest rating at minus-6. Peter Vandermeer's 176 PIM are most on Philadelphia as well as in the entire AHL. The goaltending tandem is comprised of Antero Niitymaki (16 GPI, 6-5-3, 2.17 GAA, .921 spct.) and Neil Little (12 GPI, 7-5-0, 2.09 GAA, .916 spct.). They are both among the top 15 goalies in the League in GAA.

UPCOMING GAMES/PROMOTIONS

Wednesday, December 10 (Worcester IceCats) - Friday, December 12 (Hershey Bears)

* Pucks for Joy. The Admirals players' wives and girlfriends will once again be selling wrapped autographed pucks to benefit The Joy Fund. The special pucks will be available outside Gate 14 at Scope while they last. Friday, December 12 (Hershey Bears) - Saturday, December 13 (Philadelphia Phantoms)

*Appearing at Scope both nights will be that jolly ol' elf himself, Santa. Fans can have a picture taken with St. Nick for just $1.00. (A part of the proceeds will benefit local charities.)

* Caribbean Trip Giveaway. One lucky fan will win a trip for two to the Caribbean, courtesy of TradeStaff & Company. Fans can register to win outside Gate 14. Saturday, December 13 (Philadelphia Phantoms)

* Fourth Annual Toy Toss. For the fourth straight year, the Blue and Gold will feature a toy toss. Fans can bring a new plush toy to the game and toss it onto the ice following the Admirals' first goal. The toys will be donated to the Ronald McDonald House and the Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters (CHKD). Teddy bears will also be available for purchase at Scope that evening to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation. (If the Admirals don't score, the Toy Toss will take place after the game once the players exit the ice.)

* Pre-game Party at AJ Gator's. For just $15, receive a Blue Level ticket to that night's game, a voucher for two drinks and an hors d'oeuvre buffet at AJ Gator's, 344 Granby Street in Norfolk. Available at the Scope Box Office and all TicketMaster outlets. Special discounts available for season ticket holders through the Admirals' office.

TEAM NOTEBOOK

* Norfolk has scored the most road power play goals in the AHL (14) and leads the League in road power play percentage (18.7). The Blue and Gold are ranked 16th at home on the power play (13.7) and are tied with Cleveland for seventh overall in the AHL (16.7).

* The Admirals are tied with Hershey for most shots taken by an East Division team (822).

* With a 2-0 victory at Philadelphia on December 5, the Admirals improved to 1-1-1-0 on the Phantoms' home ice this season and 9-5-1-2 all-time in the City of Brotherly Love.

* Norfolk's 3-2 loss to Philadelphia at Scope on December 6 evened the season series at one game apiece in Hampton Roads. The Admirals are now 8-7-1-0 all-time when hosting the Phantoms.

* Brandin Cote lit the lamp twice against the Phantoms on December 6, including Norfolk's first shorthanded goal of the season. Cote has three tallies in his last three games (since November 29).

* Mikhail Yakubov, who scored a goal in his NHL debut with Chicago on November 28, has a three-game assist streak (three assists) with the Blackhawks since December 3.

ON THE RADIO

All games are broadcast on the Admirals' Flagship Station, AM-1230 WJOI. The games are also cybercast on the World Wide Web at SportsJuice.com. Go to www.SportsJuice.com, or click on the link at www.norfolkadmirals.com. Pre-game broadcasts begin 15 minutes prior to game starting time.

TICKET INFORMATION

Tickets for all remaining contests on the Admirals' home schedule are available at the Scope Box Office, all TicketMaster outlets, charge-by-phone at (757) 671-8100 and online at www.ticketmaster.com. Pro-rated season tickets and group tickets are available through the Admirals' office. 10- and 20-Game Plans are available through Friday, December 12. For more information, visit the club's website at www.norfolkadmirals.com or call the Admirals at (757) 363-1900.

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American Hockey League Stories from December 8, 2003


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