AHL Norfolk Admirals

Admirals Close Out 2007 with Loss in Wilkes-Barre

Published on December 31, 2007 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Norfolk Admirals News Release


WILKES-BARRE, PA - The Norfolk Admirals (10-22-1-2) mounted a third period comeback but were unable to draw even, as they closed the books on the 2007 calendar year with a 6-3 defeat to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (20-12-0-1) on Monday night at the Wachovia Arena at Casey Plaza. The Admirals have now lost nine games in a row.

Wilkes-Barre's leading scorer, Tim Brent, scored the game's first goal when his wrist shot from the top of the left circle eluded Admirals goaltender Marc Denis' glove at 4:38. The lead doubled late in the opening period. Alex Goligoski sent a pass from the left corner slot to Chris Minard in the right circle. Minard one-timed the puck past Denis at 17:06 for a 2-0 lead after one period.

The Admirals' deficit grew to three goals 4:21 into the second stanza. Goligoski sent a shot from the left point that was deflected past Denis by Nathan Smith at the bottom of the left circle.

Under a minute after Denis denied a Connor James penalty shot attempt, the Admirals got on the board with a Norm Milley goal. Bracken Kearns stripped a Wilkes-Barre pass along the right half-wall in the Penguins zone and sent a pass to Milley in the right circle. Milley sent a shot that deflected off of Penguins netminder David Brown's right arm and into the net at 9:41.

However, James found the back of the net after sneaking past the Norfolk defense and receiving a long pass from Mark Ardelan at the Admirals blueline. James sent a shot from between the hashmarks that sailed over Denis' left leg at 16:34.

The Admirals mounted a comeback with two quick goals in the first five minutes of the final frame. Rob Klinkhammer skated into the zone along the right wing, deked around a defender while crossing the slot, and sent a shot from the left hashmarks that beat Brown's glove at 3:31.

Just over a minute later, the Admirals found themselves on a power play. Norfolk captain Dan Jancevski sent a slap shot from the top of the left circle glove-side high at 4:35 of the third period.

However, a Minard power play goal at 8:45 and a Jonathan Filewich deflection goal at 16:42 sealed the Admirals' fate.

Marc Denis (26 shots, 20 saves) was saddled with the loss in his Admirals debut. David Brown (21 shots, 18 saves) got the victory.

Norfolk was 1-3 on the power play. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton was 1-4.

The Admirals will kick off the 2008 calendar year with a pair of home matches against the Bridgeport Sound Tigers on Friday and Saturday night at Scope. Both games begin at 7:15 p.m. There is still time to take advantage of the "Home After the Holidays" ticket offer. There are nine home games at Scope in January - including eight games on Fridays or Saturdays. If you buy tickets to those eight games, we'll give you the one Wednesday game free! Purchase tickets at the Scope Box Office or for more information visit norfolkadmirals.com.

To purchase tickets to any Admirals game, you may visit the Scope Box Office weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., visit any Ticketmaster outlet, call Ticketmaster at (757) 671-8100 or visit Ticketmaster online at www.ticketmaster.com. To purchase Admirals season tickets, ten packs or group tickets, please stop by the Admirals' administrative offices at Scope or call (757) 640-1212 weekdays from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.




American Hockey League Stories from December 31, 2007


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