AHL Norfolk Admirals

Admirals Enter Six Game Homestand on Hot Streak

February 4, 2008 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Norfolk Admirals News Release


NORFOLK, VA - The Norfolk Admirals will enter a six-game homestand on a six-game point streak by entertaining the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins and Binghamton Senators at Scope this week.

Last week, the Admirals won their first two games following the All-Star Break on the road in Binghamton and Wilkes-Barre. On Friday night, Paul Szczechura had three points and Radek Smolenak had a regulation goal and the winning shootout conversion as the Admirals defeated the Senators 4-3. On Saturday, third period power play goals by Szczechura and Smolenak led the Admirals to a 4-3 victory over the Penguins.

This week, the Admirals will have rematches against both the Penguins and Senators at Scope. On Wednesday night, Binghamton comes to Scope for a 7:15 matchup. Friday and Saturday night will feature 7:15 contests against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. This week also marks the inductions for the first class of the Admirals Hall of Fame. The induction dinner is on Thursday night and the inductees will also be honored during a pre-game ceremony on Friday night. The promotional schedule is busy this week - be sure to look at the "Upcoming Promotions" section below for more details.

EAST DIVISION STANDINGS

At 15-27-2-4, the Admirals are seventh in the East Division with 36 points. The East is led by the Philadelphia Phantoms (31-15-1-2, 65 pts). The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (27-17-0-2, 56 pts) are in second place, followed by the Hershey Bears (26-16-0-4, 56 pts) and Albany River Rats (27-21-0-2, 56 pts) who claim the third and fourth spots, respectively. The Binghamton Senators (22-18-4-4, 52 pts) are in fifth and Bridgeport Sound Tigers (24-23-1-0, 49 pts) in sixth.

THE ADMIRALS' WEEK AHEAD

Wed., Feb. 6 ... vs. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (Pittsburgh Penguins) ... 7:15 p.m.

Fri., Feb. 8 ... vs. Binghamton Senators (Ottawa Senators) ... 7:15 p.m.

Sat., Feb. 9 ... vs. Binghamton Senators (Ottawa Senators) ... 7:15 p.m.

ADMIRALS' LOG

- Norfolk has points in season-high six straight games (4-0-1-1).

- After going over seven weeks between road victories, the Admirals have now won their last three games away from Norfolk Scope Arena.

- Saturday's 4-3 victory at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton was the first regular season road win against the Penguins since February 14, 2004. In the 17 regular season games prior to Saturday's win, the Admirals had gone 0-11-0-2-4 at the Wachovia Arena at Casey Plaza.

- Radek Smolenak has goals in back-to-back games and points in seven straight games (3-4-7) dating back to January 18 vs. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.

- Junior Lessard in on a three-game point streak (1-3-4) since 01/26 vs. Albany and has points in five of eight games with Norfolk (3-4-7)

- Norm Milley has points in 11 of his last 14 games (6-7-13) since 12/27 vs. Philadelphia.

- Friday's win in Binghamton marked the first time the Admirals picked up standings points when trailing after one period.

- Greg Mauldin's penalty shot against Marc Denis on Friday in Binghamton marked the second time in AHL Admirals' history that a penalty shot had been awarded to Norfolk's opponent in overtime. Admirals goaltenders have stopped both shots.

ADMIRALS RBK/AHL PLAYER OF THE WEEK NOMINEE

Rookie Center Paul Szczechura garners his third straight Norfolk nomination for the Rbk AHL Player of the Week award. Szczechura was first star in both of the Admirals' games last week, compiling two goals and three assists for five points in a pair of Norfolk road victories. On Friday in Binghamton, he scored his first professional three-point game by taking part in every regulation goal (1-2-3) in a 4-3 shootout win against the Senators. On Saturday in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, he scored the go-ahead goal and assisted on the eventual game-winning goal in a 4-3 victory over the Penguins. Szczechura now has goals in five consecutive games (5G) and has points (6-6-12) in all eight games since joining Norfolk in a January 15 trade from Iowa (AHL). Szczechura's goal streak is the longest current streak in the AHL and is tied for the third longest this season. His point streak is the fifth-longest current streak in the AHL and trails only Norm Milley's nine-game point streak for the longest with the Admirals this season. He has more than tripled his season point total (8-9-17) since starting the season with five points (2G, 3A) in 29 games with Iowa.

NORFOLK LEADERS

Goals: Kyle Wanvig (14) Assists: Kyle Wanvig (24)

Points: Kyle Wanvig (38) Games: Karl Stewart (47)

PP goals: Justin Keller, Kyle Wanvig (7) SH goals: Several (1)

+/- Rating: Jay Leach (+7) PIM: Jay Rosehill (121)

GAA: Marc Denis (3.03) Spct: Jonathan Boutin (.901)

Wins: Jonathan Boutin (8) Losses: Jonathan Boutin (11)

GPI: Jonathan Boutin (25) Minutes: Jonathan Boutin (1365)

WILKES-BARRE/SCRANTON LEADERS

Goals: Chris Minard (20) Assists: Tim Brent (28)

Points: Tim Brent (37) Games: Mark Ardelan, Deryk Engelland (45)

PP goals: Chris Minard (10) SH goals: Ryan Lannon (1)

+/- Rating: Kurtis McLean (+12) PIM: Dennis Bonvie (122)

GAA: John Curry (2.02) Spct: Ty Conklin (.919)

Wins: Ty Conklin (11) Losses: Ty Conklin (7)

GPI: Ty Conklin (18) Minutes: Ty Conklin (1058)

BINGHAMTON LEADERS

Goals: Denis Hamel (21) Assists: Alexander Nikulin, Lawrence Nycholat (24)

Points: Josh Hennessy, Lawrence Nycholat (34) Games: Several (48)

PP goals: Denis Hamel (8) SH goals: Justin Mapletoft (7)

+/- Rating: Lawrence Nycholat (+8) PIM: Jeremy Yablonski (141)

GAA: Jeff Glass (2.50) Spct: Jeff Glass (.923)

Wins: Jeff Glass (13) Losses: Jeff Glass (11)

GPI: Jeff Glass (30) Minutes: Jeff Glass (1653)

TRANSACTIONS

January 30, 2008 ADD RW Kyle Wanvig - Returned on loan by Tampa Bay (NHL)

TICKETS ON SALE FOR THIS WEEK'S ADMIRALS HALL OF FAME INDUCTION DINNER

Tickets are now on sale to the general public for the Admirals Hall of Fame Induction Dinner, presented by the Virginian-Pilot. The Hall of Fame Induction Dinner will take place this Thursday evening, February 7 at the HITS at the Ballpark restaurant at Harbor Park. The dinner will consist of a buffet including Roast Beef Auju, Chicken Cordon Blue and Grilled Salmon over Pesto Linguine. Tickets are $50.00 per seat. Limited seats are available, so reserve your seat as soon as possible. Please call the Norfolk Admirals Office at (757) 640-1212 to reserve your seat today.

UPCOMING EVENTS/PROMOTIONS

Wednesday, February 6 (vs. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins)

- Baxter's Admirals College Night - The Admirals will set aside 100 discounted white level tickets for students with a valid college ID on each mid-week home game during the 2007-08 regular season. These tickets, which normally sell for $12, will be available for $8 for college students. These tickets will also get college students a 20% discount on their food at Baxter's Sports Lounge before and after the game that day. Baxter's Admirals College Night tickets will only be available for purchase at the Scope Box Office. Students of any age with College Night tickets will be permitted into Baxter's prior to game time. After the game, only students over age 21 with College Night ticket stubs will be permitted unless a parent or guardian accompanies them.

Friday, February 8 (vs. Binghamton Senators)

- Hall of Fame night - The Admirals will honor the first class of the Admirals Hall of Fame, presented by The Virginian-Pilot, during a pre-game ceremony. The first 2,500 fans through the gates will receive an Admirals Hall of Fame trading card set with cards of Founder Blake Cullen, Coach John Brophy, Player/Assistant Coach/General Manager Al MacIsaac and Player Rod Taylor.

Saturday, February 9 (vs. Binghamton Senators)

- Liberty Tax Service Shootout - During the first intermission, the mascot from Liberty Tax Service will shoot against Admirals Vice President and retired goaltender Mark Bernard. If the mascot wins the shootout, everyone in attendance will receive 30% off this year's tax preparation.

THIS WEEK ON THE IN MOTION PHYSICAL THERAPY ADMIRALS HOUR

Tune in to the In Motion Physical Therapy Admirals Hour on Thursday evening at 6:00 p.m. on ESPN Radio 1310 WGH-AM. The broadcast will originate from the Admirals Hall of Fame Induction Dinner at the HITS at the Park restaurant at Harbor Park.

ADMIRALS MEDIA GUIDES AVAILABLE

The Admirals are pleased to announce that the first ever Norfolk Admirals Media Guide is now available for purchase. With detailed information on the history of the AHL Admirals, biographies of current players, coaching staff and management, as well as a look at Norfolk's history against its opponents, an Admirals media guide is an excellent companion for any diehard fan while watching or listening to games. Admirals Media Guides are available for $15 at the Admirals Center Ice Souvenir Stand during games or at the Admirals Online Merchandise store at norfolkadmirals.com.

TICKETS

To purchase tickets to any Admirals game, you may visit the Scope Box Office weekdays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., visit any Ticketmaster outlet, call Ticketmaster at (757) 671-8100 or visit Ticketmaster online at www.ticketmaster.com.

Save money by purchasing Admirals season tickets, ten packs or group tickets! Stop by the Admirals' administrative offices at Scope or call (757) 640-1212 weekdays from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

ON THE RADIO/INTERNET

All games are broadcast on ESPN Radio 1310 WGH-AM. The games are also cybercast at SportsJuice.com. Go to SportsJuice.com, or click on the link at norfolkadmirals.com. Broadcasts begin 15 minutes prior to game time.

Games are also viewable through the Internet on a pay-per-view basis through B2 Networks for anyone with a high-speed cable modem, T1 or DSL broadband connection and Windows Media Player 9 or higher. Visit norfolkadmirals.com and click the B2 Networks banner to view all Admirals' home and away games.

Check out the Norfolk Admirals Statistics



American Hockey League Stories from February 4, 2008


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