AHL Norfolk Admirals

Admirals' Gutsy Comeback Falls Just Short in Worcester

Published on March 2, 2008 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Norfolk Admirals News Release


WORCESTER, MA - The Norfolk Admirals (21-34-2-5) entered Sunday afternoon's contest against the Worcester Sharks (24-26-4-4) with seven players missing from their Clear Day roster due to injury or call-up to the NHL and it showed through the first forty minutes at the DCU Center with a four-goal deficit. However, the Admirals battled back with a gutsy third period comeback that came up one goal short in a 5-4 setback at the DCU Center.

The Admirals briefly took a 1-0 lead with a power play goal just 1:40 into the game. Mario Scalzo sent a shot from the right point that was deflected by Marek Kvapil past Worcester goaltender Thomas Greiss for Kvapil's first goal of the season.

Worcester scored the next five goals in the game. Mike Iggulden pulled the Sharks even at 10:02 with his first goal of the game. Graham Mink then gave Worcester the lead by redirecting a Tom Cavanagh pass for a power play goal at 15:45. Nate Raduns netted another power play goal to give the Sharks a 3-1 lead at the first break.

Iggulden netted his second and third goals of the contest in the second stanza. He gave Worcester a 4-1 lead at 2:20 and then completed the hat trick at 12:26 for a four-goal lead heading into the final frame.

Bracken Kearns started the Norfolk comeback attempt early in the third period while the Admirals skated shorthanded. He sent a shot from the left circle that was stopped by Greiss with the rebound going behind the net. Kearns picked up the rebound and skated along the goal line in the right corner before sending a shot off Greiss and into the net at 4:52.

Adam Henrich scored a similar goal at 11:51, emerging from behind the net at the left post and sweeping it off Greiss and into the cage. Chris Lawrence assisted on the play.

The Admirals closed the gap to one goal on the power play and with goaltender Jonathan Boutin, who stopped all 13 third period shots he saw, pulled for an extra attacker. Blair Jones sent a wrist shot from the high slot that went through traffic and past Greiss with just 33 seconds left.

However, they were unable to find the equalizer as the Sharks held on for a 5-4 win.

Jonathan Boutin (32 shots, 27 saves) picked up the loss. Thomas Greiss (22 shots, 18 saves) got the win.

Norfolk was 2-2 on the power play. Worcester was 2-5.

The Admirals will conclude their nine-game road trip with a rematch against the Sharks in Worcester on Wednesday night.

The Admirals return to Scope on Friday against the Philadelphia Phantoms. The first 2,500 fans through the gates will receive a team trading card set courtesy of Konica Minolta. In addition, TNA Wrestlers "Showtime" Eric Young and "Maple Leaf Muscle" Petey Williams will be on hand to sign autographs on the concourse from 6:15 - 6:45 p.m.

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 (757) 671-8100 or visit Ticketmaster online at www.ticketmaster.com. To purchase Admirals season tickets, ten packs or group tickets, please stop by the Admirals' Administrative Offices at Scope or call (757) 640-1212 weekdays from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Three Stars:

1. Mike Iggulden - WOR

2. Brennan Evans - WOR

3. Adam Henrich - NOR

Notes: The Admirals fell to 2-5-0-1 on their road trip with one game remaining ... Bracken Kearns and Adam Henrich ended the game with a goal and an assist each. Kearns led the Admirals with six shots ... Marek Kvapil's first period tally was his first AHL goal since February 16, 2007 with the Springfield Falcons ... Forward Chris Lawrence returned to the lineup after missing 20 games with an upper-body injury. Lawrence had an assist on Adam Henrich's third period goal ... Mike Iggulden netted the second hat trick against the Admirals this season (Hershey's Joe Motzko on 11/07/07) ... Forwards Justin Keller, Norm Milley and Paul Szczechura and defensemen Andy Rogers and David Schneider all missed the game due to injury ... Attendance: 4,549.

Check out the Norfolk Admirals Statistics

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American Hockey League Stories from March 2, 2008


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