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AHL Norfolk Admirals

Admirals Edge Penguins for First Win of 2015

January 6, 2015 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Norfolk Admirals News Release


WILKES-BARRE, Penn. - The Norfolk Admirals began their four-game road swing on a positive note, triumphing over the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, 2-1, Tuesday evening at the Mohegan Sun Arena.

For the third consecutive game, the Admirals got off to a good start against their opponent. Only 6:47 into the first period, assists-leader Brendan Bell released a slapper from the left point. John Kurtz deflected the shot on the way, but goaltender Jeff Zatkoff rejected the shot with a pad. However, the rebound ricocheted back into the slot on Charlie Sarault's stick and the center took advantage, banging in the puck to give the Admirals a 1-0 lead.

The lead lasted through nearly two periods before Penguins rookie Jean-Sebastien Dea knotted up the game. With Kevin Gagne in the box on a debatable holding call, winger Carter Rowney ripped a shot from the high slot. Netminder Jason LaBarbera stopped both Rowney's shot and Sahir Gill's rebound, but Dea shoveled it into the net from the doorstep. Dea's goal came at 16:24, and the two teams headed into the third period in a 1-1 tie.

The Admirals were determined to regain the lead, and it came quickly into the final frame. All-Star Chris Wagner forced a Wilkes-Barre/Scranton turnover deep in the Penguins' zone and dished a pass to an oncoming Max Friberg in the left circle. Friberg avoided a defenseman, deked around Zatkoff and filled the open net behind the falling goaltender. Wagner received the sole assist at 5:44, putting the Admirals up 2-1.

Although Wilkes-Barre/Scranton pulled Zatkoff with a minute left and spent much of that time in Norfolk's zone, the Admirals clamped down and emerged with a 2-1 victory.

Zatkoff stopped 21 of 23 shots, while LaBarbera stopped 23 of 24 shots for his fourth victory of the year.

The Admirals went 0-for-2 on the power play, and the Penguins went 1-for-3 with the man-advantage.

Norfolk continues its four-game road swing on Friday, taking on Wilkes-Barre/Scranton this Friday before traveling to Hershey for a back-to-back on Saturday and Sunday.

Three Stars:

1) NOR #17 Charlie Sarault (1 G)

2) WBS #9 Jean-Sebastien Dea (1 G)

3) NOR #14 Max Friberg (GWG)

NOTES ... Brendan Bell has an assist in four of his last five games ... Max Friberg has nine points in his last 10 games ... Chris Wagner has four points in four games against the Penguins this year ... It was the Admirals' first road win since December 2 at Charlotte ... The Admirals average 10 fewer shots per game against the Penguins (21.5) than any other opponent (31.6) ... Tonight's game was the 19th one-goal game of the season for Norfolk (10-6-1-2) and also the Admirals' shortest game this season... Jean-Sebastien Dea's goal was the first second-period goal by the Penguins the Admirals have allowed this year.

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