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AHL Norfolk Admirals

Admirals Look To Right Ship This Week Against Penguins And Crunch

January 4, 2010 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Norfolk Admirals News Release


NORFOLK, Va. - The Norfolk Admirals will look to get back on track this week when they visit the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins on Wednesday and host the Syracuse Crunch at Norfolk Scope Arena on Friday and Saturday.

The Admirals kicked off last week with a hard-fought 5-3 loss to the Hershey Bears on Tuesday in front of a season-high crowd of 5,017 people at Scope. On New Year's Eve, Matt Lashoff's third period goal forced overtime but the Admirals fell in the extra session to the Senators 3-2 in Binghamton. On Saturday, Juraj Simek netted a pair of goals, but the Admirals fell to the Phantoms 3-2 in Adirondack.

The Admirals are in the midst of a stretch of 13 games against East Division opponents. That will continue on Wednesday night at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and at Scope on Friday and Saturday nights against Syracuse. Friday night is All-Faith Night and Saturday night is Special Olympics Night, presented by SunTrust, and 2010 Pro Sports Calendar Giveaway Night, presented by Independent Lighting. Please see below for more details.

EAST DIVISION STANDINGS

At 15-19-2-0 (32 points), the Admirals are in sixth place in the American Hockey League's East Division. The East is led by the Hershey Bears (27-8-0-2, 56 pts). They are followed by the Albany River Rats (19-15-1-2, 41 pts), Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (19-15-1-1, 40 pts), Adirondack Phantoms (16-16-2-0, 34 pts) and Binghamton Senators (15-15-3-1, 34 pts). The Syracuse Crunch (12-19-3-3, 30 pts) round out the division in seventh.

THE ADMIRALS' WEEK AHEAD

Wed., Jan. 6 ... at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (Pittsburgh Penguins) ... 7:05 p.m.

Fri., Jan. 8... vs. Syracuse Crunch (Columbus Blue Jackets) ... 7:15 p.m.

Sat., Jan. 9... vs. Syracuse Crunch (Columbus Blue Jackets) ... 7:15 p.m.

ADMIRALS' LOG

- A season-high crowd of 5,017 witnessed the Admirals game at Norfolk Scope Arena last Tuesday versus Hershey. It was the largest midweek home game crowd at Scope in more than three years.

- Norfolk has lost a season-high five consecutive games (0-4-1-0).

- After going the first 28 games of the season without multiple power play goals in a game, the Admirals have scored multiple power play goals in three of their last seven games. The Norfolk power play is 7/27 (25.9%) in that span.

- Brandon Bochenski tied the AHL Admirals career goal-scoring record with his 76th career goal last Tuesday versus Hershey. Bochenski's goal came in his 138th game with Norfolk. He tied Casey Hankinson, who had 76 goals in 219 career games from 2000 - 2003.

- The goal was also Bochenski's 33rd career power play goal, extending his AHL Admirals record.

- Bochenski was named a starter to the PlanetUSA AHL All-Star team on Wednesday.

- Bochenski was recalled by the Admirals' NHL parent club, the Tampa Bay Lightning, on Saturday.

- RW Martins Karsums was named to Team Latvia for the 2010 Winter Olympics on Tuesday. He joins defensemen Duncan Keith (Canada), Lasse Kukkonen (Finland) and Brent Seabrook (Canada) as the four current/former Admirals participating in the Olympics in Vancouver next month.

- Mark Parrish (5G, 4A) had a six-game point streak end last week, tying a Norfolk season high.

- Parrish missed Saturday's game in Adirondack after the birth of his second child, Turner Gene Parrish, on Thursday night. Mother Nichole Parrish and baby Turner are both doing well.

- Juraj Simek registered his first career multiple-goal game on Saturday at Adirondack with two goals. He has goals in four of his last six games (5G) and has tied his career high with nine goals in 35 games this season (he had nine tallies in 63 games with Norfolk last season).

- Defenseman Lukas Krajicek has points and assists in three of his last four games (0G, 3A).

- Forward Matt Syroczynski has points in two of his last three games (1G, 2A).

- Goaltender Jaroslav Janus was signed to a three-year, entry-level contract by the Admirals' NHL parent club, the Tampa Bay Lightning, on Friday and was assigned to Norfolk. Janus was selected as the top goaltender during the 2009 World Junior Championship tournament by attending media for his work with Slovakia.

ADMIRALS PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Juraj Simek: 3GP, 3G, 0A, 3PTS

Juraj Simek led Norfolk with three goals last week. On Tuesday vs. Hershey, Simek's third period power play goal brought the Admirals to within a goal of tying the Bears in an eventual 5-3 setback. After going scoreless on Thursday at Binghamton, Simek recorded his first professional multiple-goal game by scoring both goals in Norfolk's 3-2 loss at Adirondack.

With his three goals this week, Simek has tied his career high with nine goals in a season. The third-year pro has nine goals and nine assists in 35 games for the Admirals this season. He is tied for third on Norfolk in scoring and is third in goals. His eight power play points are tied for the most on the team and his three power play goals are the second-most on the club.

ALL-FAITH NIGHT

Are you looking for a fun night out for your group? Join the Admirals during All-Faith Night on Friday, January 9. Expect an evening of high-speed, hard-hitting, action-packed entertainment at a discounted price. Special $10 Red Level Tickets are available for groups of all faiths through the Admirals Group Sales Office. Simply call (757) 640-1212 to reserve your tickets. Please note that the discounted tickets are only available for advance purchase. Please contact the Admirals for deadline information.

For more details, please visit norfolkadmirals.com.

SPECIAL OLYMPICS NIGHT

Help support our local Olympic athletes on Saturday, January 9 during Special Olympics Night, presented by SunTrust. Tickets are available for just $10 with proceeds benefiting Special Olympics of Virginia. The event will feature in-game demonstrations by local Olympians, a ceremonial puck drop, an honor guard, raffle prizes, a Dream Team and much more. Bring your family and friends and join us for an evening of action-packed entertainment while supporting our local Olympic athletes! Please note that the discounted tickets are only available for advance purchase. Please contact the Admirals for deadline information.

For more details, please visit norfolkadmirals.com.

2010 PRO SPORTS CALENDAR GIVEAWAY

A limited amount of 2010 Pro Sports Calendars will be given away at the gates on Saturday, January 9 courtesy of Independent Lighting. The calendars run from December 2009 to October 2010 and include the game and promotional schedules for both the 2009-10 Norfolk Admirals and 2010 Norfolk Tides. The calendars feature action photography of both the Admirals and Tides.

THIS WEEK ON THE ADMIRALS HOUR RADIO SHOW

Please note this week's special date for the Admirals Hour - Friday evening at 6:00 p.m. on ESPN Radio 94.1-FM. "The Voice of the Admirals" Pete Michaud will broadcast the show from 6:00 - 6:45 p.m. at Norfolk Scope prior to the game against the Syracuse Crunch. The STIHL Icebreaker Pregame Show will begin at 7:00 p.m. on STAR 1310-AM. Due to technical difficulties, we will be unable to accept phone calls during the show.

SCOUTING REPORT

The Admirals will once again focus on East Division opponents this week as they visit the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins on Wednesday night in Pennsylvania and return to Virginia to host the Syracuse Crunch at Scope on Friday and Saturday nights.

The Admirals will visit the Wachovia Arena at Casey Plaza for the third time this season as they face the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins for the fourth time in 2009-10. Despite trailing the third-place Penguins in the division standings, the Admirals hold a 2-1-0-0 edge in the season series. Goaltender Dustin Tokarski has allowed only one goal in the two games he has played against the Penguins this season (2-0-0, 0.50, .982). Dustin Jeffrey (10G, 28A, 38PTS) leads the Baby Pens in assists and points. Goaltender John Curry has been a workhorse for the Penguins, going 15-12-1 with a 2.46 GAA and .909 SV% in 28 of Wilkes-Barre/Scranton's 36 games. Former Admirals with the Penguins include Wyatt Smith (8G, 14A), Ben Lovejoy (4G, 6A) and Wade Brookbank (2G, 3A, 81 PIM). The Penguins have won six of their last eight games - including a 5-3 decision in their last game on Saturday at home against the Rochester Americans. They do not play again until meeting Norfolk on Wednesday.

On Friday and Saturday at Scope, the Syracuse Crunch visit Norfolk for the final two times in 2009-10. The Crunch occupy seventh place in the division but hold a 2-1-0-0 edge over the Admirals in the season series between the clubs. Norfolk won the last meeting 6-1 at Syracuse on November 7. Riku Helenius (1-0-0, 1.00, .952) and Jaroslav Janus (0-1-0, 1.01, .950) both have allowed only one goal to the Crunch in one game played. Syracuse is one of only three AHL teams that does not have a double-digit goal-scorer, as Jared Aulin and Alexandre Picard pace the club with nine goals each. Dan Fritsche leads the Crunch with 20 points (8G, 12A). Kevin Lalande (8-9-2, 3.18, .901) has started the last four games for Syracuse. The Crunch have points in four of their past five games (2-1-1-1) including a 2-1 shootout loss at Hartford in their last game played on Sunday. Syracuse does not play again before traveling to Norfolk this weekend.

NORFOLK LEADERS

Goals: Brandon Bochenski (16)

Assists: Brandon Bochenski (16)

Points: Brandon Bochenski (32)

Games: Adam Hall, Vladimir Mihalik (36)

PP goals: Brandon Bochenski (6)

SH goals: Paul Szczechura (1)

+/- Rating: Blair Jones, Kevin Quick (+8)

PIM: Matt Lashoff (51)

GAA: Jaroslav Janus (2.03)

Spct: Jaroslav Janus (.927)

Wins: Dustin Tokarski (10)

Losses: Dustin Tokarski (11)

GPI: Dustin Tokarski (21)

Minutes: Dustin Tokarski (1260)

WILKES-BARRE/SCRANTON LEADERS

Goals: Luca Caputi (13)

Assists: Dustin Jeffrey (28)

Points: Dustin Jeffrey (38)

Games: Luca Caputi, Brian Strait (36)

PP goals: Luca Caputi (8)

SH goals: Dustin Jeffrey (2)

+/- Rating: Dustin Jeffrey, Mark Letestu (+12)

PIM: Wade Brookbank (81)

GAA: John Curry (2.46)

Spct: John Curry (.909)

Wins: John Curry (15)

Losses: John Curry (12)

GPI: John Curry (28)

Minutes: John Curry (1683)

SYRACUSE LEADERS

Goals: Jared Aulin, Alexandre Picard (9)

Assists: Pascal Pelletier (13)

Points: Dan Fritsche (20)

Games: Trevor Frischmon (37)

PP goals: Tom Sestito (4)

SH goals: Derek MacKenzie (2)

+/- Rating: Tomas Kana (+4)

PIM: Jon Mirasty (150)

GAA: Kevin Lalande (3.18)

Spct: Kevin Lalande (.901)

Wins: Kevin Lalande (8)

Losses: Dan LaCosta (12)

GPI: Kevin Lalande (22)

Minutes: Kevin Lalande (1171)

TRANSACTIONS OF THE PAST WEEK

January 1, 2010 ADD G Jaroslav Janus - Loaned by Tampa Bay (NHL)

ADD C Matt Fornataro - Signed to Professional Tryout Contract (PTO)

January 2, 2010 DELETE RW Brandon Bochenski - Recalled from loan by Tampa Bay (NHL)

January 3, 2010 DELETE D Ethan Graham - Released from Professional Tryout Contract (PTO)

TICKETS

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 1-800-745-3000 or visit Ticketmaster online at ticketmaster.com. Don't miss a minute of the action by purchasing your 2009-10 season tickets today. Stop by the Admirals' Administrative Offices at Scope, call (757) 640-1212 weekdays from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. or visit norfolkadmirals.com anytime!

ON THE RADIO/INTERNET

All eighty regular season games will air live on STAR 1310-AM and will stream online free of charge at star1310.com. AHL Live will carry online video of every Admirals game on a pay-per-view or season pass basis. Fans can log in to watch or get more information about AHL Live's online video features at ahllive.com.

Check out the Norfolk Admirals Statistics



American Hockey League Stories from January 4, 2010


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