AHL Norfolk Admirals

Admirals Look to Build Momentum After Shutout

Published on January 21, 2008 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Norfolk Admirals News Release


NORFOLK, VA - After ending a five-game losing streak last Saturday by shutting out the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, the Norfolk Admirals look to build momentum this week with matches against East Division rivals Hershey and Albany.

On Tuesday morning, the Admirals' NHL parent club, the Tampa Bay Lightning, acquired right wing Junior Lessard from the Dallas Stars in exchange for defenseman and Admirals' captain Dan Jancevski. The Admirals also acquired center Paul Szczechura from the Iowa Stars (AHL) in exchange for future considerations. On Wednesday, Szczechura netted a goal in his Admirals debut, but the Bridgeport Sound Tigers scored three unanswered goals to defeat the Admirals 3-2 at Norfolk Scope Arena. On Friday night at Scope, Radek Smolenak's first AHL goal was not enough as the Admirals lost to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton 3-1. In the Saturday night rematch at Scope, Jonathan Boutin made 24 saves to lead the Admirals past the Penguins 4-0.

This week, the Admirals will play three games against East Division opponents. On Wednesday, Norfolk will travel to Hershey to attempt to solve goaltender Daren Machesney and quiet forward Joe Motzko in a matchup against the Bears. The Admirals will then return to Scope for a pair of contests against Keith Aucoin and the Albany River Rats. Game time on Friday and Saturday is 7:15 p.m.

EAST DIVISION STANDINGS

At 12-27-1-3, the Admirals are seventh in the East Division with 28 points. The East is led by the Philadelphia Phantoms (28-14-1-1, 58 pts). The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (24-15-0-2), Hershey Bears (24-16-0-2) and Albany River Rats (24-19-0-2) are tied at 50 points for the third spot with the Binghamton Senators (21-16-4-3, 49 pts) in fifth and Bridgeport Sound Tigers (20-22-1-0, 41 pts) in sixth.

THE ADMIRALS' WEEK AHEAD

Wed., Jan. 23 ... at Hershey Bears (Washington Capitals) ... 7:00 p.m.

Fri., Jan. 25 ... vs. Albany River Rats (Carolina Hurricanes) ... 7:15 p.m.

Sat., Jan. 26 ... vs. Albany River Rats (Carolina Hurricanes) ... 7:15 p.m.

ADMIRALS' LOG

- Paul Szczechura has points (1-2-3) in all three games since joining the Admirals.

- Junior Lessard scored a goal and an assist on Saturday night against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton for his first points as an Admiral.

- Right wing and alternate captain Norm Milley extended his point streak to eight games (5G, 3A) with an assist on Wednesday. It is the longest scoring streak of the season for Norfolk. Milley missed Norfolk's games on Friday and Saturday with a lower-body injury.

- Jonathan Boutin returned to action and stopped all 24 shots he faced for his third career AHL shutout on Saturday night against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. Marc Denis had played every minute of Norfolk's last eight games since being assigned on December 29. Boutin snapped a personal nine-game losing streak and helped to snap a team five-game losing streak with the victory.

- Saturday's shutout was the first for the Admirals since October 21, 2006. Norfolk had only one shutout during the 2006-07 season.

- Radek Smolenak scored the first two goals of his American Hockey League career this week against David Brown of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. His first came in a 3-1 loss on Friday and his second came in a 4-0 win on Saturday. Smolenak now has two goals in 40 career AHL games between Springfield in 2006-07 and Norfolk this season.

- Following the trade of captain Dan Jancevski, the Admirals utilized three alternate captains, with forward Karl Stewart joining Norm Milley and Jay Leach in wearing an 'A'

- With an assist on Wednesday, defenseman Andy Rogers picked up his first point as an Admiral.

- Bears goaltender Daren Machesney has beaten the Admirals in the past six games played between the clubs this season and has allowed one one goal in each of the past five games. This season, Machesney is 6-0-0 with a 1.17 goals-against average and .961 save percentage against Norfolk.

- Bears forward Joe Motzko is scoring two points per game against the Admirals this season (7 games, 7 goals, 7 assists, 14 points).

ADMIRALS RBK/AHL PLAYER OF THE WEEK NOMINEE

Center Paul Szczechura was acquired by the Admirals from the Iowa Stars on Tuesday. He made his presence known on the scoresheet with points in each of his first three games in an Admirals uniform. He netted a goal in his Norfolk debut on Wednesday against Bridgeport. He assisted on the Admirals' only goal on Friday against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and also set up a goal on Saturday against the Penguins. His good work in the faceoff circles and solid defensive game were a welcome addition to the Norfolk lineup. Prior to joining Norfolk, Szczechura had five points in 29 games with Iowa. In three games with Norfolk, the rookie has three points.

NORFOLK LEADERS

Goals: Kyle Wanvig (13) Assists: Kyle Wanvig (23)

Points: Kyle Wanvig (36) Games: Karl Stewart (42)

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

+/- Rating: Jay Leach (+5) PIM: Jay Rosehill (102)

GAA: Marc Denis ( 3.13) Spct: Jonathan Boutin (.901)

Wins: Jonathan Boutin (7) Losses: Jonathan Boutin (11)

GPI: Jonathan Boutin (23) Minutes: Jonathan Boutin (1240)

HERSHEY LEADERS

Goals: Grant Potulny (16) Assists: Joe Motzko (18)

Points: Joe Motzko (32) Games: Kyle Wilson (42)

PP goals: Joe Motzko (8) SH goals: Chris Bourque (2)

+/- Rating: Sami Lepisto (+14) PIM: Louis Robitaille (235)

GAA: Daren Machesney (2.25) Spct: Daren Machesney (.926)

Wins: Frederic Cassivi, Daren Machesney (12) Losses: Frederic Cassivi (11)

GPI: Frederic Cassivi (24) Minutes: Frederic Cassivi (1400)

ALBANY LEADERS

Goals: Brandon Nolan (18) Assists: Keith Aucoin (31)

Points: Keith Aucoin (39) Games: Jamie Johnson (45)

PP goals: Jerome Samson (9) SH goals: Aucoin, Blanchard, Dwyer (1)

+/- Rating: Casey Borer (+14) PIM: Tim Conboy (159)

GAA: Michael Leighton (2.14) Spct: Michael Leighton (.928)

Wins: Michael Leighton (13) Losses: Michael Leighton (14)

GPI: Michael Leighton (30) Minutes: Michael Leighton (1740)

TRANSACTIONS

January 14, 2008 DELETE F Mike Egener - Reassigned by Tampa Bay (NHL) to Mississippi (ECHL)

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

January 15, 2008 DELETE D Dan Jancevski - Recalled from loan by Tampa Bay (NHL)

ADD RW Junior Lessard - Loaned from Tampa Bay (NHL)

ADD F Paul Szczechura - Traded from Iowa (AHL)

PINK IN THE RINK A GREAT SUCCESS

The Norfolk Admirals and the Tidewater Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen "For the Cure" Foundation would like to thank everyone who participated in the January 12 Pink in the Rink. The largest crowd at Scope this season participated in events educated and raised awareness about breast cancer while also raising over $5,000 for Susan G. Komen. "Pink in the Rink was a great success," said Admirals Vice President Mark Bernard. "We look forward to growing our relationship with the Susan G. Komen Foundation and making this event even bigger in the years to come."

TICKETS ON SALE FOR ADMIRALS HALL OF FAME INDUCTION DINNER

Tickets are now on sale to the general public for the Admirals Hall of Fame Induction Dinner. The Hall of Fame Induction Dinner will take place on Thursday, 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

Friday, January 25 (vs. Albany River Rats)

- Norfolk Public Schools Night - Groups of parents, students and staff of Norfolk Public Schools may purchase $5 tickets for Friday's game through the Admirals group sales department. Tickets must be purchased by 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 24 to receive the discount. Please call (757) 640-1212 ext. 23 to purchase tickets or for more information.

Saturday, January 26 (vs. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins)

- Winter Hat Giveaway, Courtesy of Bank of the Commonwealth and Fox43 - The first 2,500 adults through the gates will receive a winter hat courtesy of Bank of the Commonwealth and Fox43. "Stewie" from the Fox43 hit series Family Guy will also be at the game.

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 welcome #35 Jonathan Boutin in the studio to take fans' calls.

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 January 21, 2008


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