AHL Norfolk Admirals

Admirals Look To Close Out 2007-08 Home Schedule On Strong Note

Published on March 31, 2008 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Norfolk Admirals News Release


NORFOLK, VA - The Admirals look to conclude the home portion of their 2007-08 schedule on a strong note this week with games on Friday and Saturday nights at Scope.

Last week, the Admirals wrapped up their eight-game homestand with three games at Scope. On Wednesday night, three Hershey power play goals were the difference as the Bears defeated the Admirals 4-1. The Manchester Monarchs shut out the Admirals 4-0 on Friday night. Bracken Kearns netted two power play goals to lead the Admirals past the Monarchs 4-3 in the rematch on Saturday night.

The Admirals will start this week on the road in Philadelphia on Wednesday night. The game will be another B2 Night at Baxter's Sports Lounge on Granby Street (see below for more details). On Friday and Saturday night, the Albany River Rats will invade Scope for the final two home games of the 2007-08 season. Both games start at 7:15 p.m. Saturday night is AAA Member Night with AAA members receiving $3 off any Red Level Ticket at the Scope Box Office. Saturday night is also Fan Appreciation Night. The Admirals will give away hundreds of prizes to the best fans in the AHL.

EAST DIVISION STANDINGS

At 26-41-2-5 (59 pts), the Admirals sit in seventh place in the AHL's East Division. The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (44-26-0-3, 91 pts) took over the division lead last week and have a one-point edge over the Philadelphia Phantoms (42-25-3-3, 90 pts). The Albany River Rats (40-27-3-4, 87 pts) and Hershey Bears (38-30-1-5, 82 pts) are third and fourth and are currently in position for the Calder Cup Playoffs. On the outside looking in are the Binghamton Senators (33-28-8-5, 79 pts) and Bridgeport Sound Tigers (37-31-1-3, 78 pts).

THE ADMIRALS' WEEK AHEAD

Wed., Apr. 2 ... at Philadelphia Phantoms (Philadelphia Flyers) ... 7:05 p.m. ... B2 Night at Baxter's

Fri., Apr. 4 ... vs. Albany River Rats (Carolina Hurricanes) ... 7:15 p.m.

Sat., Apr. 5 ... vs. Albany River Rats (Carolina Hurricanes) ... 7:15 p.m. ... Fan Appreciation Night, AAA Member Night

ADMIRALS' LOG

- C Andrew Fournier (Plymouth, OHL) and F Jamie Bates (Quinnipiac University, ECAC) made their professional debuts with the Admirals last week versus Manchester after signing Amateur Tryout Contracts. Bates netted an assist in his pro debut on Saturday.

- With the addition of Fournier and Bates, 51 different players have now appeared in Norfolk's lineup with 50 players seeing action - both new franchise records.

- RW Kyle Wanvig (20-31-51), C Blair Jones (14-23-37), LW Justin Keller (13-21-34), F Adam Henrich (14-17-31), LW Radek Smolenak (15-10-25) and F/D Jay Rosehill (3-3-6) have all recorded the highest single-season point totals of their AHL careers while goaltender Jonathan Boutin has recorded the most wins (12) and shutouts (2) in his AHL career.

- LW Radek Smolenak has goals in eight of his last 15 games (10G).

- RW Chris Lawrence scored his first goal since November 30 at Albany (25 games) on Saturday vs. Manchester.

- Norfolk has been out-shot in 19 consecutive games by a 713-448 margin (-265).

ANNUAL MDA JERSEY AUCTION BREAKS $200,000 MARK

Thanks to the generosity of their fans, the Norfolk Admirals were able to raise $26,850 for the Muscular Dystrophy Association on Saturday night in their annual MDA Jersey Auction, presented by PAPCO. Over the past eight seasons, the Admirals have raised a total of $213,960 for MDA through the annual jersey auction. For more details, please visit norfolkadmirals.com.

ADMIRALS PLAYER OF THE WEEK NOMINEE

Forward Bracken Kearns typically makes important contributions to the Admirals that do not show up on the scoresheet such as penalty killing, shot blocking and winning faceoffs. It was because of these intangibles that the Norfolk coaching staff chose the undrafted third-year pro to wear an alternate captain's 'A' on his jersey beginning last Friday.

Last week, Kearns contributed those intangibles and added three points to lead Norfolk in scoring. On Wednesday night versus Hershey, his breakout pass led to a Radek Smolenak goal in a 4-1 loss to the Bears. On Saturday against Manchester, he scored two power play goals - including the game-winner - in a 4-3 victory over the Monarchs. Saturday marked Kearns' first AHL power play goals and first AHL multi-goal game in his 127th career AHL game.

Kearns, the son of former Vancouver Canucks defenseman Dennis Kearns, now has points in seven of his last 13 games (4-6-10). He led Norfolk in scoring during their recently-concluded eight-game homestand with six points (2-4-6).

SPECIAL NOTICE ABOUT ADMIRALS RADIO BROADCASTS

Please note that the final five Admirals games of the season will be broadcast on 100.5 MAX-FM. The games that will be affected are:

- Friday, April 4 vs. Albany

- Saturday, April 5 vs. Albany

- Wednesday, April 9 at Albany

- Friday, April 11 at Binghamton

- Saturday, April 12 at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton

SPECIAL PARKING NOTICE

The Monticello Avenue Garage and Monticello Lot have been closed due to construction. Please park at nearby facilities including St. Paul's Lot, Scope Garage, Brambleton Lot, Freemason St. Garage, York St. Garage, and MacArthur Center North and South Garages. For more information, please contact Norfolk's Division of Parking at 664-6222 or visit www.norfolk.gov/parking.

UPCOMING EVENTS/PROMOTIONS

Wednesday, April 2 (AT Philadelphia Phantoms)

- B2 Night at Baxter's - Join your fellow Admirals fans at Baxter's Sports Lounge in Downtown Norfolk on Wednesday night for another Admirals B2 Night at Baxter's. Watch the Admirals square off against Scott Munroe, Stefan Ruzicka and the rest of the Philadelphia Phantoms on the big screen starting at 7:05 p.m. For more details, please visit norfolkadmirals.com. Saturday, April 5 (vs. Albany River Rats)

- AAA Member Night - AAA Members receive $3 off any red level seat. Tickets must be purchased at the Scope Box Office. Must present AAA card to receive the discount. Limit of five tickets per member.

- Fan Appreciation Night - Admirals Fan Appreciation Night will take place in the home finale on Saturday, April 5. There will be hundreds of prizes given out to the best fans in the American Hockey League!

THIS WEEK ON THE IN MOTION PHYSICAL THERAPY ADMIRALS HOUR

Tune in to the final In Motion Physical Therapy Admirals Hour of the season this week. Please note that this week's show will air on Wednesday evening at 6:00 p.m. on ESPN Radio 1310 WGH-AM. "The Voice of the Admirals" Pete Michaud will host the show and will be joined for part of the show by Tampa Bay Lightning Director of Player Personnel Bill Barber. Due to technical difficulties, the Admirals will be unable to accept any phone questions or comments. However, you may email your questions to pete@norfolkadmirals.com.

NORFOLK LEADERS

Goals: Kyle Wanvig (20) Assists: Kyle Wanvig (31)

Points: Kyle Wanvig (51) Games: Brandon Segal (70)

PP goals: Kyle Wanvig (8) SH goals: Norm Milley, Karl Stewart (2)

+/- Rating: Vladimir Mihalik (+9) PIM: Jay Rosehill (172)

GAA: Marc Denis (3.09) Spct: Marc Denis (.905)

Wins: Jonathan Boutin (12) Losses: Jonathan Boutin (17)

GPI: Jonathan Boutin (36) Minutes: Jonathan Boutin (1950)

PHILADELPHIA LEADERS

Goals: Jared Ross (21) Assists: Jared Ross (36)

Points: Jared Ross (57) Games: Denis Gauthier (72)

PP goals: Jonathan Matsumoto (10) SH goals: Darroll Powe (4)

+/- Rating: Bartulis, Gauthier, Kane (+10) PIM: Triston Grant (153)

GAA: Scott Munroe (2.30) Spct: Scott Munroe (.918)

Wins: Scott Munroe (17) Losses: Scott Munroe (8)

GPI: Scott Munroe (35) Minutes: Scott Munroe (1719)

ALBANY LEADERS

Goals: Brandon Nolan (22) Assists: Keith Aucoin (37)

Points: Jamie Johnson (55) Games: Jamie Johnson (74)

PP goals: Jerome Samson (12) SH goals: Pat Dwyer (3)

+/- Rating: Casey Borer (+19) PIM: Tim Conboy (189)

GAA: Michael Leighton (2.02) Spct: Michael Leighton (.933)

Wins: Michael Leighton (26) Losses: Michael Leighton (23)

GPI: Michael Leighton (54) Minutes: Michael Leighton (3208)

TRANSACTIONS OF THE LAST WEEK

March 25, 2008 DELETE G Jonathan Boutin - Recalled from loan by Tampa Bay (NHL)

ADD G Ryan Munce - Reassigned by Tampa Bay (NHL) from Mississippi (ECHL)

March 26, 2008 ADD G Jonathan Boutin - Returned on loan by Tampa Bay (NHL)

DELETE G Marc Denis - Recalled from loan by Tampa Bay (NHL)

March 28, 2008 ADD C Andrew Fournier - Signed to Amateur Tryout Contract (ATO)

March 29, 2008 ADD F Jamie Bates - Signed to Amateur Tryout Contract (ATO)

March 30, 2008 ADD G Marc Denis - Returned on loan by Tampa Bay (NHL)

DELETE G Ryan Munce - Reassigned by Tampa Bay (NHL) to Mississippi (ECHL)

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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