AHL Norfolk Admirals

Admirals Drop Two Games

Published on November 25, 2002 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Norfolk Admirals News Release


VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – Norfolk lost two straight games for the first time this season last week. After finishing off the Binghamton Senators 3-1 on Wednesday, November 20, the Admirals were handed their first shutout of the year, 2-0 on November 22 as the B-Sens rebounded. The next evening, the Blue and Gold faced off against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, surrendering four third period goals to drop the contest 5-3.

The Admirals square off in Cleveland against the Barons (San Jose Sharks) tonight at 7:00 p.m. The squad then finishes up a three-game road swing against the Penguins (Pittsburgh Penguins) on Wednesday, November 27 at 7:05 p.m. The Houston Aeros (Minnesota Wild), whose 29 points (14-4-1-0) currently tie them with the Admirals for most points in the AHL, make their first appearances at Scope on Friday, November 29 and Saturday, November 30 at 7:30 p.m. both nights.

Norfolk remains in first place in the South Division with 29 points (13-4-1-2). Hershey sits second with 23 points (10-4-2-1) followed by Philadelphia (7-9-1-2, 17 points) and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (7-10-1-1, 16 points).

THE WEEK AHEAD

Monday, November 25...Norfolk @ Cleveland Barons...7:00 p.m.

Cleveland is one of only four AHL clubs with a losing record (3-4-0-0) at home this season (Chicago, Saint John, Syracuse). The Barons rank 14th on the power play (16.10) and 25th in penalty killing (80.50). They have been out-shot in every period except for overtime this year. Niko Dimitrakos tops the squad with 7+11=18 points, is third in scoring among rookie skaters, and is tied for second in assists (Jeff Taffe, Springfield) among AHL rookies. Miroslav Zalesak's eight goals and Chad Wiseman's 12 helpers lead the Barons in those respective categories. Pat Rissmiller and Lynn Loyns are the only skaters with a positive plus/minus rating, each currently at plus-1. David Cloutier's minus-11 is the lowest rating on the club. The netminding tandem is comprised of Seamus Kotyk (8 GPI, 3-4-0, 3.23 goals against average, .899 save percentage) and Vesa Toskala (10 GPI, 3-6-0, 3.49 GAA, .888 spct.)

Wednesday, November 27... Norfolk @ Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins...7:05 p.m.

The Admirals and Penguins have split their four previous match ups this season, Wilkes-Barre having won the last two games. The Pens' 68 goals allowed are the most in the Western Conference. Wilkes-Barre ranks 18th on the power play (15.75) and 16th on the penalty kill (83.45). Michal Sivek leads the club in goals (seven) and points (16), and is tied with Tom Kostopoulos for most assists (nine). Ross Lupaschuk has the most points among Penguin defensemen (4+7=11 points). Matt Hussey's plus-4 is the highest rating on the Pens, while Lupaschuk's minus-15 is among the League's lowest ratings. Sebastien Caron has recorded the most saves among AHL goaltenders (447) and has the most losses in the League (nine). In 16 games, Caron is 6-9-1 with a 3.09 GAA and .901 spct. Robbie Tallas is 1-1-0 with a 5.99 GAA and a .824 spct. in three appearances in net.

Friday, November 29...Norfolk vs. Houston Aeros...7:30 p.m.

Saturday, November 30...Norfolk vs. Houston Aeros...7:30 p.m.

Houston's 14 wins and eight road victories lead the AHL. The Aeros are ranked 15th with the man-advantage (16.08) and ninth when shorthanded (85.38). Jean-Guy Trudel leads the club with 22 points (9+13) and sits eighth on the League scoring list. Cory Larose's 15 assists are most on Houston, and tie him for fifth-most helpers in the AHL. Curtis Murphy is the top-scoring defenseman on the team with 7+7=14 points. He is tied for seventh in scoring and has the most goals among all AHL blueliners.

Lawrence Nycholat's plus-12 rating is best on the Aeros and among the top ratings in the League. Between the pipes, Derek Gustafson is tied with several others for most wins with eight, and sits tied for 11th overall in GAA (2.40). In 10 appearances, he is 8-1-0 and has a .908 spct. Dieter Kochan has posted a 6-3-1 record with a 3.03 and .906 spct. in 10 games.

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS

Friday, November 29 (Houston Aeros)

* Family Four Pack Night - fans can receive four Blue Level tickets, four hot dogs and four soft drinks for $44.00. Available through the Scope Box Office and all TicketMaster outlets. (Day of game sales not applicable.)

Saturday, November 30 (Houston Aeros)

* Player portrait giveaway featuring G Craig Andersson to the first 3,000 fans, courtesy of the Tobacco Use Control Program (TUCP) (Player portrait #2 of eight).

* Northrop Grumman Newport News Shipbuilding Night - employees of NNS who show proper ID at the Scope Box Office or any TicketMaster outlet receive $2.00 off any ticket purchased.

Wednesday, December 4 (Milwaukee Admirals)

* Military Appreciation Night - fans who show a valid military ID at the Scope Box Office or TicketMaster outlets receive $3.00 of any ticket purchased.

* Toys For Tots - The U.S. Marines will be collecting new, unwrapped toys on the concourse. Friday, December 6 - Saturday, December 7 (Rochester Americans)

*Ornaments for The Joy Fund - For their annual Holiday Charity Event, the players' wives and girlfriends will be selling autographed ornaments for $10 outside Gate 14 at Scope to benefit The Joy Fund. Friday, December 6 (Rochester Americans)

* City of Virginia Beach Employee Appreciation Night - City of Virginia Beach employees who show proper ID (ID badge, paycheck stub) at the Scope Box Office or any TicketMaster outlet receive $2.00 off any ticket purchased in the Blue or White Level.

Saturday, December 7 (Rochester Americans)

*Medical Personnel Appreciation Night - members of the medical profession who show proper ID at the Scope Box Office or any TicketMaster outlet receive $2.00 off any ticket purchased in the Blue or White Level.

TEAM NOTEBOOK

* Norfolk's 2-0 loss to Binghamton on November 22 marked the first time the team had been shut out since March 2, 2002 (34 games). The Admirals had not been shut out at home since February 9, 2002 (1-0 versus Syracuse).

* In the Admirals' 5-3 loss at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on November 23, the 83 total shots in the game (Norfolk - 40, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton - 43) tied a franchise mark for most combined shots in one contest set November 2, 2001 against Chicago (Norfolk - 51, Chicago - 32). The Admirals' 40 shots taken and 43 shots allowed also tied season highs in both categories (40 shots taken November 2 versus Cleveland; 43 shots allowed October 27 at Hershey).

* RW Mike Peluso's franchise record 10-game points streak came to an end in Norfolk's 2-0 loss to Binghamton. He posted 4+10=14 point during the streak.

* When Peluso received a two-minute minor penalty for hooking against Binghamton on November 20, it marked the first time in 12 games, and only the second time this season that he was sent to the penalty box.

* D Steve McCarthy was recalled to the Chicago Blackhawks on November 24. He had skated in 18 games for Norfolk this season, recording one goal, six assists (seven points), 14 penalty minutes and a plus-3 rating.

ON THE RADIO

All games are broadcast on the Admirals' Flagship Station, WBVA 1450-AM "The Buzz". The games are also cybercast on the World Wide Web at SportsJuice.com. Go to www.SportsJuice.com, or click on the link at www.norfolkadmirals.com. Pre-game broadcasts begin 20 minutes prior to game starting time.

The Admirals Radio Show will not air this week due to the Thanksgiving holiday. It will return Thursday, December 5 when Pete Michaud will welcome special guests as he broadcasts from the Azalea Inn/Time Out Sports Bar & Grill, 2344 E. Little Creek Road in Norfolk from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.

TICKET INFORMATION

Tickets for all remaining contests on the Admirals' home schedule are available at the Scope Box Office, all TicketMaster outlets, charge-by-phone at (757) 671-8100 and online at www.ticketmaster.com. Season tickets as well as 10- and 20-Game Plans, Flex Vouchers and Group Tickets are available through the Admirals' office. For more information, contact the Admirals at (757) 363-1900 or visit the club's website at www.norfolkadmirals.com.

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American Hockey League Stories from November 25, 2002


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