AHL Norfolk Admirals

Admirals Look Forward To Returning Home

Published on March 3, 2008 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Norfolk Admirals News Release


NORFOLK, VA - The Norfolk Admirals have just one game remaining on their nine-game road trip before they return to Scope to battle the Philadelphia Phantoms on Friday night. They will return with a different look than when they departed on February 16 as the roster has seen significant changes due to injuries, trades and NHL call-ups.

Last week was a rough one for the Admirals as they continued their busy stretch of road games with a roster depleted by injuries and NHL call-ups. On Tuesday, Jay Leach netted a goal against his former teammates mere hours after practicing alongside them, as his Portland Pirates scored five unanswered goals to defeat the Admirals 5-1. On Friday, the Hartford Wolf Pack scored four power play goals en route to a 6-2 defeat of the Admirals. On Saturday, goals by Radek Smolenak and Karl Stewart would not be enough as the Admirals fell to the Lowell Devils 5-2. Yesterday, the Admirals staged a third period comeback that came up just one goal short in a 5-4 loss to the Worcester Sharks.

The road trip concludes on Wednesday night with a rematch against the Sharks in Worcester. The Admirals then return to Scope to host the Philadelphia Phantoms on Friday night. The first 2,500 fans through the gates will receive a set of Admirals trading cards courtesy of Konica Minolta and fans will also have the opportunity to meet two TNA wrestlers before the game. Please see below for more details.

EAST DIVISION STANDINGS

At 21-34-2-5, the Admirals are seventh in the East Division with 49 points. The East is led by the Philadelphia Phantoms (38-19-2-3, 81 pts). The Albany River Rats (35-24-1-3, 74 pts), Hershey Bears (32-19-1-5, 70 pts) and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (33-24-0-3, 69 pts) are currently in playoff positions seeded second, third and fourth, respectively. The Bridgeport Sound Tigers (33-26-1-1, 68 pts) and Binghamton Senators (27-26-5-4, 63 pts) sit in fifth and sixth spots, respectively.

THE ADMIRALS' WEEK AHEAD

Wed., Mar. 5 ... at Worcester Sharks (San Jose Sharks) ... 7:05 p.m.

Fri., Mar. 7 ... vs. Philadelphia Phantoms (Philadelphia Flyers) ... 7:15 p.m.

ADMIRALS ROSTER SEES SIGNIFICANT CHANGES

The Admirals' roster saw significant changes in the previous week due to injuries, trades and NHL call-ups.

- On Monday night, the Admirals' NHL parent club, the Tampa Bay Lightning, acquired AHL All-Star defenseman Alexandre Picard in a trade with the Philadelphia Flyers and assigned him to the Admirals. After playing one game on Tuesday in Portland, Picard was called up to the Lightning where he remains today.

- On Tuesday, the Lightning acquired forward Brandon Segal from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for defenseman Jay Leach. Segal, who had been with Portland, and Leach, who had been with Norfolk, simply switched locker rooms that afternoon as the Pirates and Admirals had a game that evening.

- On Wednesday, forward Junior Lessard was recalled by the Lightning and forwards Zbynek Hrdel and Marek Kvapil were re-assigned to Norfolk from the ECHL's Mississippi Sea Wolves.

- On Thursday, the Chicago Blackhawks loaned forward/defenseman David Koci to the Admirals and the Lightning loaned defenseman Justin Fletcher to the Rockford IceHogs. Also on Thursday, Norfolk's Clear Day Roster was set. The roster may be viewed at norfolkadmirals.com.

- In Norfolk's four games played last week, seven players missed time due to injury - forwards Adam Henrich, Justin Keller, Chris Lawrence, Norm Milley and Paul Szczechura and defensemen Andy Rogers and David Schneider.

ADMIRALS' LOG

- Admirals Equipment Manager Pete Henderson will participate in his 1800th professional game on Wednesday in Worcester. It will also be Henderson's 903rd career AHL game. He has the most pro experience among AHL equipment managers according to the Society for Professional Hockey Equipment Managers (SPHEM).

- Paul Szczechura finished the month of February tied for the most points among rookies in the American Hockey League with 14 points (7G, 7A) in 13 games (tied with Bridgeport's Trevor Smith).

- Jonathan Boutin's five-game winning streak and seven-game unbeaten streak (6-0-1) ended on Tuesday in Portland. The unbeaten streak was one game shy of the Norfolk franchise record. During the unbeaten streak, Boutin went 6-0-1 with a 1.32 goals-against average, .954 save percentage and two shutouts.

- F/D David Koci finished with one assist, nine penalty minutes and a +1 rating in his return to the Admirals on Friday in Hartford after being loaned by the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday. Koci's assist on Rob Klinkhammer's third period goal was his first point since an assist on January 13, 2007 with Norfolk vs. Albany.

- Justin Keller (1st, +11), Vladimir Mihalik (T-5th, +9) and Paul Szczechura (T-12th, +8) ranked in the top 15 plus/minus ratings during the month of February.

- Norm Milley is now tied with Kyle Wanvig for the team lead with 28 assists. He trails Wanvig by one goal and one point for the lead in those statistical categories, as well.

- On Friday in Hartford, Andrew Hutchinson (1G, 4A) became the fourth player to register five points against Norfolk in a single game - a franchise-record.

- Marc Denis assisted on a Blair Jones first period goal in Hartford on Friday. It was Denis' first point since an assist with the NHL's Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2005-06 season and was the ninth point (all assists) of his pro career (6 NHL, 3 AHL).

- Marek Kvapil's first period tally on Sunday was his first AHL goal since February 16, 2007 with the Springfield Falcons.

- Rookie forward Chris Lawrence registered an assist in his return to the lineup on Sunday in Worcester after missing 20 games with an upper-body injury.

- The Admirals are 2-5-0-1 on their nine-game road trip with one game remaining.

UPCOMING EVENTS/PROMOTIONS

Friday, March 7 (vs. Philadelphia Phantoms)

- Trading Card Night - The first 2,500 fans through the gates will receive a set of 30 Admirals trading cards, courtesy of Konica Minolta.

- TNA Wrestlers at Game - 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.

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 Voice of the Admirals" Pete Michaud will host the show with #12 Paul Szczechura as his guest. To call in with a question, please dial (757) 497-1310.

TRANSACTIONS OF THE LAST WEEK

February 25, 2008

ADD D Alexandre Picard - Loaned from Tampa Bay (NHL)

February 26, 2008

ADD RW Brandon Segal - Loaned from Tampa Bay (NHL)

DELETE D Jay Leach - Recalled from loan by Tampa Bay (NHL)

DELETE D Alexandre Picard - Recalled from loan by Tampa Bay (NHL)

February 27, 2008

DELETE RW Junior Lessard - Recalled from loan by Tampa Bay (NHL)

ADD RW Zbynek Hrdel - Reassigned from Mississippi (ECHL) by Tampa Bay (NHL)

ADD RW Marek Kvapil - Reassigned from Mississippi (ECHL) by Tampa Bay (NHL)

February 28, 2008

ADD LW David Koci - Reassigned by Chicago (NHL) from Rockford (AHL)

DELETE D Justin Fletcher - Reassigned by Tampa Bay (NHL) to Rockford (AHL)

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

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American Hockey League Stories from March 3, 2008


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