AHL Norfolk Admirals

Admirals Cruise into Holiday Break

Published on December 20, 2010 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Norfolk Admirals News Release


NORFOLK, Va. - After earning three of a possible four points at home last week against the Albany Devils, the Norfolk Admirals are cruising into the holiday break with standings points in each of their last eight games. The Admirals will return to the ice on Sunday evening with their first meeting of the season against the rival Hershey Bears.

Last Friday at Scope, new captain Chris Durno registered a pair of assists, but the Admirals fell to the Devils 4-3 in overtime. The home team exacted revenge the next day as James Wright notched two goals and two assists in a 5-1 victory over Albany at Scope.

The Admirals will enjoy the holiday break before returning to the ice on Sunday evening in Hershey, Pennsylvania, as they battle the Bears for the first time in 2010-11 at 5:00 p.m. They will return to Norfolk on Tuesday and Thursday, December 28 and 30, to battle the Charlotte Checkers at Scope.

EAST DIVISION STANDINGS

At 18-6-5-1 (42 pts.) the Admirals are in second place in the East Division. The Admirals trail the division-leading Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (23-7-0-0, 46 pts.) by four points. The Charlotte Checkers (17-10-1-3, 38 pts.), Hershey Bears (17-12-0-1, 35 pts.), Binghamton Senators (14-13-2-2, 32 pts.), Syracuse Crunch (11-15-1-3, 26 pts.), Albany Devils (12-17-0-0, 24 pts.), and Adirondack Phantoms (6-23-2-0, 14 pts.) wrap-up the division.

THE ADMIRALS' WEEK AHEAD

Sun., Dec. 26 ... at Hershey Bears (Washington Capitals) ... 5:00 p.m.

NORFOLK NOTES:

- The Admirals have standings points in eight straight games (6-0-2-0) and in 13 of their last 15 games (11-2-2-0).

- Goaltender Cedrick Desjardins was recalled by the Tampa Bay Lightning this morning. Desjardins is tied for fourth in the AHL with 12 wins in 18 games.

- On Friday, Chris Durno was named 2010-11 Norfolk team captain. Mitch Fritz and Mathieu Roy (home games) and Mike Angelidis and Scott Jackson (road games) have been named alternate captains.

- On Saturday, Matt Fornataro scored his tenth goal of the season, tying his AHL career high for goals in a single season (Worcester in 2008-09). Fornataro ranks second in goals with the Admirals in 2010-11.

- Ty Wishart has assists in five straight games (6A).

- Norfolk is one of only four AHL teams that is undefeated in regulation when leading after the first period (9-0-2-0) and is one of only two AHL teams to have a winning record when trailing after the first period (5-2-1-0).

- Norfolk is averaging 649 more fans per home game this season as compared to the average attendance through the third week of December last season (3,237 in 2009-10; 3,886 in 2010-11).

- Norfolk Scope has enjoyed five Admirals games with over 4,000 fans through the third week of December so far this season (11 games). Last season, the Admirals posted only one game with an attendance over 4,000 through the third week of December (14 games).

- Please note that due to Washington Redskins football, the broadcast of the Admirals' game at Hershey on Sunday, December 26, will not be available on 102.1-FM or 1490-AM. However, you may still access the game online at http://1021TheGame.com and http://ahllive.com.

ADMIRALS FAMILY FUN PACK/STUDENT RUSH NIGHT

The Admirals return to Scope on Tuesday and Thursday, December 28 and 30. Both nights are Admirals Value Nights at Norfolk Scope! Family Fun Packs, presented by SunTrust, include four discounted Red Level Tickets for just $48 plus four free hot dogs, four free popcorns and four free sodas. Fans get all of that for just $48 - that's a savings of $37!

Student Rush Nights provide $8 White Level Tickets (normally $12) for high school and college students with a valid current high school or college ID. In addition, when you buy a Student Rush Night Ticket, you get a buy-one, get-one free offer for the next Student Rush Night.

Family Fun Packs are available at the Scope Box Office, all Ticketmaster Outlets, charge-by-phone at 1-800-745-3000 or online at Ticketmaster.com. Student Rush Night Tickets are available ONLY at the Scope Box Office after 2:00 p.m. on the day of the game.

LIL' KINZ GIVEAWAY COURTESY OF VIRGINIA ZOO

On Tuesday, December 28, the first 500 children age 12 and under through the gates will receive a Lil' Kinz courtesy of the Virginia Zoo.

ADMIRALS MINI STICK GIVEAWAY COURTESY OF BON SECOURS IN MOTION PHYSICAL THERAPY

On Thursday, December 30, the first 500 children age 12 and under through the gates will receive an Admirals Mini Stick courtesy of Bon Secours In Motion Physical Therapy.

ADMIRALS PLAYER OF THE WEEK

James Wright: 2GP, 3G, 2A, 5PTS

James Wright led the Admirals offensively last week with three goals and two assists in a pair of games against the Albany Devils at Scope. On Friday, Wright opened scoring by putting in the rebound of a Matt Fornataro shot in a 4-3 overtime loss to the Devils. On Saturday, Wright set a career high with two goals and two assists for four points in a 5-1 win over the Devils.

Wright is now in a five-way tie for the Admirals scoring lead with 24 points. His nine goals are tied for third on the team while his 15 assists are tied for second on the club.

THIS WEEK ON THE ADMIRALS HOUR RADIO SHOW

Tune in to the Admirals Hour at 4:00 p.m. on "The Game" 102.1-FM, 1490-AM and 1021TheGame.com. "The Voice of the Admirals" Pete Michaud will be joined by Admirals Head Coach Jon Cooper and other special guests. To call in to the show, dial (757) 490-2750.

NORFOLK LEADERS

Goals: Johan Harju (14)

Assists: Marc-Antoine Pouliot (16)

Points: Harju, Jones, Pouliot, Szczechura, Wright (24)

Games: Several (30)

PP goals: Johan Harju, Paul Szczechura (3)

SH goals: James Wright (2)

+/- Rating: Radko Gudas (+16)

PIM: Pierre-Cedric Labrie (86)

GAA: Cedrick Desjardins (2.63)

Spct: Dustin Tokarski (0.900)

Wins: Cedrick Desjardins (12)

Losses: Dustin Tokarski (6)

GPI: Cedrick Desjardins (18)

Minutes: Cedrick Desjardins (1097)

HERSHEY LEADERS

Goals: Andrew Gordon (16)

Assists: Lawrence Nycholat (20)

Points: Andrew Gordon (31)

Games: Andrew Joudrey (30)

PP goals: Andrew Gordon (9)

SH goals: Jay Beagle (4)

+/- Rating: Andrew Gordon (+16)

PIM: Patrick Wellar (55)

GAA: Braden Holtby (2.06)

Spct: Braden Holtby (0.926)

Wins: Braden Holtby, Dany Sabourin (7)

Losses: Dany Sabourin (8)

GPI: Dany Sabourin (15)

Minutes: Dany Sabourin (842)

TRANSACTIONS

December 16, 2010

ADD F Johan Harju - Returned on loan from Tampa Bay (NHL)

December 20, 2010

DELETE G Cedrick Desjardins - Recalled from loan by Tampa Bay (NHL)

TICKETS

Individual tickets for all regular season games start at just $12. Tickets are available now at the Scope Box Office, all Ticketmaster Outlets, charge-by-phone at 1-800-745-3000 and online at ticketmaster.com.

Take advantage of great savings on Admirals tickets with our 10-Packs and group tickets. 10-Packs are available for as little as $110 and allow you to pick the games you want. Group tickets start at $10 for groups of 25 or more people. Stop by the Admirals' Administrative Offices at Scope, call (757) 640-1212 weekdays from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. or visit norfolkadmirals.comanytime for more details or to purchase your tickets!

ON THE RADIO/INTERNET

Admirals games air live on "The Game" 102.1-FM, 1490-AM and online at 1021TheGame.com. AHL Live will also carry online video of every Admirals game on a pay-per-view or season pass basis. Log in to watch or get more information about AHL Live's online video features at ahllive.com.

Check out the Norfolk Admirals Statistics

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American Hockey League Stories from December 20, 2010


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