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AHL Norfolk Admirals

Admirals Extend Road Unbeaten Streak to Nine Games

February 10, 2003 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Norfolk Admirals News Release


VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – After falling to San Antonio at home, 5-1 on February 5, the Admirals traveled to the Midwest for three games, finishing with a win and two ties to set a new franchise mark for consecutive road games without a loss (nine; 7-0-2-0 since 12/29 at Hershey). On Friday, February 7, a pair of Garry Valk goals led the Blue and Gold to a 3-1 win at Grand Rapids. The next evening, Norfolk and Milwaukee scored five times apiece, as the Admirals tied the Admirals 5-5. In the Windy City on February 9, Shawn Thornton found the twine twice as the Blue and Gold skated to a 3-3 draw with the Chicago Wolves.

The San Antonio Rampage (Florida Panthers) return to Scope on Wednesday, February 12 for a 7:15 p.m. match up. The Portland Pirates (Washington Capitals) make their only appearances in Norfolk on Friday, February 14 and Saturday, February 15. The puck drops at 7:30 each night.

Norfolk remains in first place in the South Division with 67 points (29-15-6-3), seven points ahead of Hershey (24-17-11-1, 60 points). Wilkes-Barre/Scranton is third (24-23-4-3, 55 points) and Philadelphia sits in fourth place (22-23-3-3, 50 points).

THE WEEK AHEAD

Wednesday, February 12...Norfolk vs. San Antonio Rampage...7:15 p.m.

The Rampage hold a 2-1 edge in the season series, having most recently defeated the Admirals 5-1 at Scope on February 5. San Antonio's 16 road losses are second only to Cleveland (18) in the Western Conference. The Rampage rank 22nd on the power play (14.23) and eighth in penalty killing (85.57). They have been out-shot by their opponents 1,755 to 1,609 including an 81 shot deficit during the second period (621-540). Former Admiral Jim Campbell tops the club in assists (29) and points (38, nine goals). Mike Green's 16 lamplighters are most on the squad, and he is second in points (37) and tied for second in helpers with Jeff Toms (21).

Sean Gagnon's plus-8 is the highest rating among current Rampage skaters. Rocky Thompson has the most PIM with 180 PIM, and has the lowest rating on the club at minus-11. Brendan Walsh has 138 PIM in just 25 games. Splitting time in net are Wade Flaherty (25 GPI, 8-12-4, 2.96 GAA, .911 spct.) and Chris Mason (30 GPI, 15-10-4, 2.18 GAA, .930 spct.). Mason is tied with Grand Rapids' Marc Lamothe for fourth in the AHL in GAA. He is third among League goalies in save percentage. Friday, February 14...Norfolk vs. Portland Pirates...7:30 p.m.

Saturday, February 15... Norfolk vs. Portland Pirates...7:30 p.m.

The Blue and Gold are 2-1-1-0 all-time versus the Pirates, including a 1-0-1-0 mark against them last season. Portland has out-scored its opponents 155 to 127 despite being out-shot 1,808 to 1,551. The Caps' farm club is ranked seventh in penalty killing (86.00) and fourth with the man-advantage (19.10). They have allowed just three shorthanded goals this year. Trent Whitfield leads the Pirates in scoring with 19+26=45 points.

His four shorthanded tallies are most on the team. Graham Mink's 19 lamplighters tie him with Whitfield for most on the squad. Peter Ferraro is second in points with 44 (15+29), and he has the most helpers of any Portland skater. Todd Rohloff's plus-18 rating is highest on the team, with Josef Boumedienne (plus-14), Whitfield, Ferraro and Mink (plus-13 each) close behind him. Mel Angelstad and Dwayne Zinger have the lowest ratings at minus-4 each. Boumedienne and Angelstad top the Pirates in penalty minutes with 100 PIM and 94 PIM, respectively. Maxime Ouellet has seen the bulk of action in net, posting a record of 18-9-3 with a 2.10 GAA and .939 spct. in 31 games. Rastislav Stana is 4-7-0 with a 2.89 GAA and .917 spct. in 11 games. Ouellet leads all current League netminders in GAA, spct. and shutouts (seven), and he is third in the AHL in wins.

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS

Wednesday, February 12 (San Antonio Rampage)

* Player portrait giveaway featuring Mikhail Yakubov to the first 3,000 fans, courtesy of the Tobacco Use Control Project (TUCP) (Player portrait #5 of eight).

Friday, February 14 (Portland Pirates)

* Couples Night - One lucky couple will win a night's stay at the Ramada Plaza Hotel plus dinner at Gus' Mariner Restaurant in Virginia Beach, courtesy of the Admirals.

Saturday, February 15 (Portland Pirates)

* Trading Card Giveaway - The first 2,500 fans will receive a 2002-2003 set of Admirals trading cards, courtesy of the Tobacco Use Control Project (TUCP).

TEAM NOTEBOOK

* Norfolk's 3-1 win at Grand Rapids on February 7 was its seventh consecutive road victory, setting a new franchise mark. It was also the second-longest road winning streak in the AHL this year (13, Hamilton 11/27 to 1/19).

* The Blue and Gold improved to 17-5-3-1 away from Scope this season. Only Hamilton (19-5-2-1) and Houston (18-7-2-1) have more road victories, and only Grand Rapids (15-4-3-2), Manchester (12-4-3-3) and Hamilton have as few or fewer road losses than Norfolk.

* During their three-game road trek this past weekend, the Admirals were five for 18 on the power play (27.8).

* D Marty Wilford is riding a five-game points streak (1+7=8 points since January 31 vs. Chicago). He is currently tied with Houston's Curtis Murphy and Manchester's Tomas Zizka for third in points among AHL defensemen, and is tied with Portland's Chris Hajt for fourth in goals, and tied with several others for fifth in assists among League blue liners.

* RW Mike Peluso snapped a drought of 11 games without a goal (since January 10 vs. Bridgeport) when he scored against Chicago on February 9.

* RW Shawn Thornton ended a streak of 14 games without scoring (since December 18 at San Antonio) when he lit the lamp twice at Chicago February 9.

* F Casey Hankinson has eight points (three goals, five assists) over his last seven games.

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 air Thursday, February 13 from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m., when Pete Michaud welcomes Michael Leighton as his special guest when he broadcasts live from the Azalea Inn/Time Out Sports Bar & Grill, 2344 E. Little Creek Road in Norfolk.

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. Family Four Packs and AJ Gator's pre-game party packages are available at Scope's Box Office and all TicketMaster outlets. Flex Vouchers and Group Tickets are available through the Admirals' office. For more information, contact the Admirals at (757) 363-1900 or visit the team's website at www.norfolkadmirals.com.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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