AHL Norfolk Admirals

Admirals Dent the Twine Early and Often in Springfield

Published on December 16, 2006 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Norfolk Admirals News Release


SPRINGFIELD, MA - After picking up three goals on their first three shots of the game, the Norfolk Admirals (18-6-4-1) cruised to a 5-2 victory over the Springfield Falcons (15-13-0-0) on Saturday night at MassMutual Center.

The Admirals got off to a lightning start in the first five minutes of the game. On the opening play of the game, Martin St. Pierre stole the puck in the neutral zone by the penalty boxes and skated into the Springfield zone. He passed the puck across the slot to Brandon Bochenski at the right faceoff circle. Bochenski sent a wrist shot past Falcons goaltender Karri Ramo stick side just 14 seconds into the game. The goal was the quickest to start a regular season game in Norfolk Admirals history.

Just over two minutes later, Reed Low sent Adam Burish on a partial breakaway on Ramo. Burish cut across the crease from left to right and sent a backhander through Ramo's leg pads at 3:58.

After scoring on their first two shots on the game, Matt Keith also found the back of the net on the Admirals' third shot. He collected a loose puck just inside the Springfield blue line and deked through the left faceoff circle before sending a forehand shot at the edge of the right circle past Ramo. The goal at 3:58 was Keith's first of the season.

Two second stanza power play goals and 14 saves by Corey Crawford gave Norfolk a 5-0 lead through two periods. Bochenski skated from the right circle to behind the goal line before passing the puck to a trailing Jonas Nordqvist, who sent a shot over Ramo's right shoulder at 8:53.

Bochenski assisted on another power play goal under three minutes later when a rebound from his shot ended up on the tape of St. Pierre. Bochenski and St. Pierre both collected their third points of the contest when St. Pierre's shot eluded Ramo glove side at 11:35 of the middle period.

A five-on-three power play goal ended Crawford's shutout bid 7:57 into the final frame when Norm Milley converted a backdoor play. Andy Delmore deposited the rebound of a Randy Rowe wraparound attempt past Crawford at 15:57 of the third period. However, those would be the only goals for the Falcons on the evening.

Crawford saw his streak of not allowing a five-on-five goal end at 362:38, but was solid in earning the victory with 37 saves on 39 shots. Ramo stopped 15 of Norfolk's 20 shots and picked up the loss.

Norfolk was 2-5 on the power play while Springfield was 1-7.

The Admirals close out their six-game road trip in Bridgeport tomorrow afternoon when they take on the Sound Tigers at 4:00.

Three Stars:

1. Brandon Bochenski - NOR

2. Martin St. Pierre - NOR

3. Corey Crawford - NOR

Check out the Norfolk Admirals Statistics

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American Hockey League Stories from December 16, 2006


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