Sports stats



AHL Norfolk Admirals

Admirals Close Home Schedule with 4-2 Win Before Sellout Crowd

April 17, 2015 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Norfolk Admirals News Release


NORFOLK, Va. - The Norfolk Admirals bade their fans goodbye for the last time as an AHL franchise with a 4-2 win over Lehigh Valley on Friday night in front of a sellout audience of 8,701 at Scope Arena.

Most of the first period passed without fanfare, until the 16:13 mark as the puck caromed behind the Admirals' net and onto the stick of Oliver Lauridsen. The defenseman walked the edge of the circle and attempted a wrister, but flubbed the shot. However, points-leader Nick Cousins picked up the abbreviated effort and sunk it past Ryan Faragher to put the Phantoms up, 1-0.

Just 2:01 later, Ty Loney tied up the contest. Antoine Laganiere controlled the puck in his own zone and sent a stretch pass up ice. Loney brought it in and snapped a shot from the left ring as he raced past the blue line. Rob Zepp got a piece of it with his glove, but mishandled and the puck trickled back into the net. Mark Fistric earned the secondary assist, prompting the clubs to a first intermission tied at 1-1.

The Admirals broke the stalemate less than two minutes into the middle frame with Petr Straka serving a double-minor for high-sticking. Andrew O'Brien and Louis Leblanc had a give-and-go between the wall and the point, before Leblanc fed Dave Steckel in the center. The captain blasted in a hard shot that fooled Zepp at 1:19 for a 2-1 Norfolk lead.

Stefan Noesen extended the Admirals' advantage to 3-1 at 14:47 of the period on another power play. Shea Theodore corralled the puck at the blue line and faked a slap shot, then passed it to Mike Sgarbossa in the corner. Sgarbossa quickly set up Noesen for a one-timer that sailed past Zepp.

Lehigh Valley cut the lead to 3-2 late in the period while on a four-minute power play of their own. Mark Alt patrolled the blue line and passed the puck to Scott Laughton in the right circle. Laughton closed in and deked around Mark Fistric before elevating a shot above Faragher's glove. Brett Hextall registered the secondary assist at 18:35.

The Admirals' power play succeeded for a third time with seven minutes remaining in the third period. Theodore brought the puck into the offensive zone at the left wall, protecting it from the oncoming Lehigh Valley defense. Theodore weaved his way into the crease and stuffed the puck past Zepp, giving the Admirals a 4-2 advantage. Max Friberg and Brandon Montour assisted on the tally, and Norfolk skated to the 4-2 victory.

Zepp made 40 saves on 44 shots tonight, while Faragher stopped 23 of the 25 attempts he faced. Lehigh Valley went 1-for-5 on the power play, and Norfolk was 3-for-5.

The Admirals complete the 2014-15 season tomorrow evening in Wilkes-Barre at 7:05 p.m. when they take on the Penguins.

Three Stars:

1) NOR #39 Dave Steckel (1 G)

2) NOR #34 Shea Theodore (1 G, 1 A)

3) NOR #14 Max Friberg (1 A)

NOTES ... Tonight was Antoine Laganiere's 100th game with the Admirals, as well as Nic Kerdiles' first appearance since February 13 against Syracuse ... This was the first time the Admirals had scored three power play goals in one game this season ... Dave Steckel has two goals in four games after scoring just one in the 32 contests prior ... Laganiere now has five points in his last seven games (4 g, 1 a) ... Andrew O'Brien's assist was his first point since February 27 ... Shea Theodore has four points in his last two outings and eight points in his eight games this year.

Check out the Norfolk Admirals Statistics

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

American Hockey League Stories from April 17, 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