AHL Norfolk Admirals

Admirals Earn Point In Binghamton To Close Out 2009

December 31, 2009 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Norfolk Admirals News Release


NORFOLK, Va. - Matt Lashoff's third period game-tying goal allowed the Norfolk Admirals (15-18-2-0) to earn a point by forcing overtime. However, defenseman Chris Lee scored 1:31 into overtime to give the Binghamton Senators (15-14-3-1) a 3-2 decision on Thursday night at the Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena in the Admirals' last contest of the 2009 calendar year. The Admirals play game two of a three-game trip on Saturday night against the Adirondack Phantoms. They return to Scope to host the Syracuse Crunch on Friday and Saturday, January 8-9.

The Senators took a 1-0 lead just 19 seconds in to the contest. Brandon Svendsen intercepted an Admirals pass in the left circle of the Norfolk zone, skated into the slot and sent a backhand shot through the leg pads of goaltender Dustin Tokarski.

The Admirals tied the game at one goal apiece 10:49 into the second stanza. Martins Karsums found his own rebound in the slot and sent a shot from between the hashmarks over the outstretched glove hand of Binghamton goaltender Chris Holt for Karsums' fourth goal of the season.

However, the game was not tied long, as the Senators capitalized on a five-on-three power play less than two minutes later. Binghamton captain Denis Hamel sent a slap shot from the high slot through a screen and past Tokarski at 13:14 for a 2-1 Senators lead.

The Admirals knotted the score at 2-2 midway through the third period. Holt left his crease to play a dump-in behind the net. However, the puck hit a stanchion and stopped in the restricted zone for goaltenders in the left corner. While Holt attempted to get back into the crease, one of his teammates attempted to clear the puck out of the zone. However, Matt Lashoff picked off the pass in the high slot and sent a slap shot into the net at 9:36 for his second goal of the season.

The Senators sent 13 shots on Tokarski in the third period but the rookie netminder turned all of them aside as Norfolk forced overtime and earned a point in the standings.

After four more big saves to begin the extra session, defenseman Brian Lee beat Tokarski 1:31 into overtime to give Binghamton the victory. Lee accepted a drop pass in the high slot and skated through the right circle, eluding a sliding defender before sending a forehand shot from below the faceoff dot past Tokarski's glove for the game-winning goal.

Dustin Tokarski (41 shots, 38 saves) was saddled with the loss. Chris Holt (38 shots, 36 saves) earned the victory.

Norfolk was 0-5 on the power play. Binghamton was 1-7.

The Admirals are in the midst of a three-game road trip and will face the Adirondack Phantoms in the second game of that trip Saturday night at 7:00 p.m.

The next home action for the Admirals will be a pair of games against the Syracuse Crunch on Friday and Saturday, January 8-9. Friday is All Faith Night with special discounted group tickets available for organizations of all faiths.

Saturday is Special Olympics Night and 2010 Pro Sports Calendar Giveaway Night. Discounted fundraising tickets are available through the Admirals website with proceeds going to Special Olympics of Virginia. Plus, a limited amount of 2010 Pro Sports Calendars featuring the Admirals and Norfolk Tides will be given away at the gates.

For a complete schedule and details of the promotions, please visit norfolkadmirals.com or call (757) 640-1212.

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 1-800-745-3000 or visit Ticketmaster online at ticketmaster.com. Don't miss a minute of the action by purchasing your 2009-10 season tickets today. 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.com anytime!

Three Stars:

1. Brian Lee - BNG

2. Chris Holt - BNG

3. Denis Hamel - BNG

*NOTES*... Norfolk has lost four consecutive games, tying the longest losing streak of the season... The Admirals played their first overtime contest in nine games... Norfolk had won four straight overtime contests before tonight's game. The Admirals fell to 4-2 in overtime/shootout decisions this season... RW Martins Karsums has points in four of his last seven games (3G, 4A). He was named to Team Latvia for the 2010 Olympics earlier in the week... D Matt Lashoff scored his second goal of the season and has points in back-to-back games (1G, 1A)... Brandon Bochenski remains tied with Casey Hankinson for the most goals in AHL Admirals history with 76... Former Admirals Michael Leighton and Shawn Thornton will participate in tomorrow's Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic at Fenway Park, as Leighton is a goaltender for the Philadelphia Flyers and Thornton is a forward for the Boston Bruins... Scratches: D Kevin Quick, F Dana Tyrell... Attendance: 4,414.

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American Hockey League Stories from December 31, 2009


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