AHL Norfolk Admirals

Admirals Close Out Home Schedule with a Bang

Published on April 5, 2008 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Norfolk Admirals News Release


NORFOLK, VA - A three-goal explosion in the third period highlighted a night of fast action and hard hitting as the Norfolk Admirals (27-43-2-5) closed out their 2007-08 home schedule with a 5-2 victory over the Albany River Rats (42-28-3-4) on Saturday night. A season-high crowd of 6,627 at Norfolk Scope saw Paul Szczechura score twice and both Justin Keller and Brandon Segal net a goal and an assist.

Norfolk stormed out to a 2-0 lead after twenty minutes of hockey. Brandon Segal broke in two-on-one with Radek Smolenak to set up the first goal. Segal skated in along the right wing and sent a shot along the ice that beat Albany netminder Michael Leighton stick-side at 13:35.

A strange bounce led to the Admirals' second tally. Bracken Kearns sent a shot from the slot that bounced off the end boards behind the net, caromed back toward the crease, bounced off of Leighton's glove and went into the net at 17:09.

The River Rats charged back in the second period, needing just 11 seconds to draw within one goal of Norfolk. Kiel McLeod sent a centering pass from behind the net to the slot where Joey Mormina sent a shot past Admirals goaltender Marc Denis.

A deflection led to Albany's second goal midway through the second stanza. Steve Ward sent a shot from the right point that appeared to be headed for the left corner. However, Nicolas Blanchard deflected the shot from the slot into the net at 8:12. The teams headed for the locker rooms tied at 2-2 after two periods.

The Admirals seized control of the game early in the final frame, starting with the go-ahead goal 2:32 into the period. Justin Keller took the puck from the right wing behind the net and squeezed a wraparound, backhanded shot at the left post between the legs of Leighton for a 3-2 Norfolk lead.

Paul Szczechura re-established the Norfolk two-goal lead just over two minutes later. Blair Jones sent a shot from the high slot that bounced off Keller in the low slot and into Leighton. The Albany netminder could not find the rebound, but Szczechura did by tucking a backhander past Leighton's left leg and into the net at 4:20. Szczechura tacked on an empty netter with 53 seconds remaining to cement a 5-2 Admirals victory.

Marc Denis (29 shots, 27 saves) earned the victory. Michael Leighton (31 shots, 27 saves) got the loss.

Norfolk was 1-3 on the power play. Albany was 0-5.

The Admirals will round out the 2007-08 schedule with three road contests next week: at Albany on Wednesday, at Binghamton on Friday and at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Saturday. All three games will be broadcast on 100.5 MAX-FM.

The games on Friday in Binghamton and Saturday in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton will also be Admirals B2 Nights at Baxter's. Watch both games on the big screen at Baxter's Sports Lounge on Granby Street in Downtown Norfolk starting at 7:05 p.m. For more details, please 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.

Please note that all remaining 2007-08 Admirals games will be broadcast on 100.5 MAX-FM.

Check out the Norfolk Admirals Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



American Hockey League Stories from April 5, 2008


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.

OurSports Central