AHL Norfolk Admirals

Admirals Look to Right the Ship Friday and Saturday At Scope

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


NORFOLK, VA - The Norfolk Admirals will look to reverse a seven-game winless streak this Friday and Saturday when they take on the Rockford IceHogs at Scope.

Last Wednesday, Paul Szczechura scored two goals and Juraj Simek tied the game with 1:33 left in regulation to force overtime as the Admirals erased their second deficit of the third period. However, Norfolk fell in overtime to the Philadelphia Phantoms 5-4 at Scope. Despite out-shooting their opponent 29-18 on Friday night at Scope, the Norfolk Admirals were shut out by the Portland Pirates 4-0. In the Saturday night rematch with the Pirates, Brandon Segal netted two goals and Paul Szczechura registered two assists. However, the Admirals fell to Portland 5-3.

The Admirals will conclude a five-game home stand on Friday and Saturday nights at Scope against the Rockford IceHogs (AHL affiliate of the Chicago Blackhawks). As the Admirals were affiliates of the Blackhawks through the 2006-07 season, there will be several former Admirals making their return to Scope for the first time. In addition, Friday night is Military Appreciation Night and Saturday night is Red Cross Night at the Admirals. Please see below for more information on these special events.

EAST DIVISION STANDINGS

At 1-6-1-2, the Admirals are ranked seventh in the East Division with five points. The East is led by the Hershey Bears (8-3-0-1, 17 pts). They are followed by the Bridgeport Sound Tigers (7-3-0-1, 15 pts), Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (5-3-0-1, 11 pts), Binghamton Senators (4-3-1-1, 10 pts), Philadelphia Phantoms (5-5-0-0, 10 pts) and Albany River Rats (2-5-1-1, 6 pts).

THE ADMIRALS' WEEK AHEAD

Fri., Nov. 7 ... vs. Rockford IceHogs (Chicago Blackhawks) ... 7:15 p.m.

Sat., Nov. 8 ... vs. Rockford IceHogs (Chicago Blackhawks) ... 7:15 p.m.

UPCOMING EVENTS/PROMOTIONS

Friday, November 7 (vs. Rockford IceHogs)

- Military Appreciation Night - The Admirals honor the military with the first of two Military Appreciation Nights. All members of the military can receive red level tickets for just $8 through the Scope Box Office or through the Admirals Group Sales Office. To purchase tickets for groups of 25 or more, please contact Admirals Director of Group Sales Charlie Colon at (757) 640-1212 ext. 23 or email Charlie at charlie@norfolkadmirals.com.

Saturday, November 8 (vs. Rockford IceHogs)

- American Red Cross Night at the Admirals - The Admirals will honor and raise funds for the Red Cross through Red Cross Night at the Admirals. Discounted tickets are available online through Tuesday, November 4, through MyRedCross.net with a portion of the proceeds going to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. The Admirals will also honor volunteers who supported the Gustav and Ike hurricane relief efforts during pre-game ceremonies.

ADMIRALS' LOG

- Norfolk has killed eleven consecutive opponent power plays.

- Norfolk held Portland without a power play goal in their two-game set (0-9). The Pirates had entered the set with the fourth-best power play in the AHL.

- Brandon Segal's two-goal performance on Saturday versus Portland was his second such game of the season, tying an AHL career high. Segal leads Norfolk with six goals and is ranked second with 11 points.

- Radek Smolenak is the only player in the AHL ranked in the top 35 of both points (9, T-31) and penalty minutes (60, T-3rd).

- Smolenak is well on his way to setting a new personal high for penalty minutes in a season. He already has 60 penalty minutes in just ten games this season. Last season, he set a career high with 108 penalty minutes in 56 games.

- The Admirals have out-shot their last three consecutive opponents after not doing so for their first seven games of the season.

- On Friday, the Rockford IceHogs will become the first Western Conference team to play at Scope since the Houston Aeros defeated Norfolk 3-1 on December 31, 2004, ending a stretch of 151 consecutive regular season home games played against Eastern Conference opponents.

- The IceHogs, current AHL affiliate of the Chicago Blackhawks, have seven former Admirals on their roster as of November 3 - Bryan Bickell, Michael Blunden, Corey Crawford, Jake Dowell, Jordan Hendry, Rob Klinkhammer and Jack Skille. In addition, Rockford General Manager Mark Bernard was Norfolk's Vice President and Assistant General Manager in 2006-07 and 2007-08, and Rockford Assistant Coach Ted Dent was a Norfolk assistant coach in 2006-07. The Admirals were the Blackhawks' AHL affiliate from 2000-01 to 2006-07.

- Former Admirals forward Kris Versteeg ranks second in NHL scoring by rookies with ten points (2G, 8A) in eleven games for the Blackhawks. Versteeg is one of 11 former Admirals to have skated for the Blackhawks so far this season.

NORFOLK STREAKS AND TRENDS

Player Streak/Trend Totals Streak Start

Brandon Segal Points in 8 of last 10 games 6G, 5A 10/10 vs. HER

Radek Smolenak Points in 7 of last 9 games 4G, 5A 10/11 vs. HER

Paul Szczechura Points in 6 of last 10 games 5G, 8A 10/10 vs. HER

ADMIRALS AMONG THE LEAGUE LEADERS:

- Points: Paul Szczechura (13, T-5th), Brandon Segal (11, T-16th)

- Goals: Brandon Segal (6, T-11th), Paul Szczechura (5, T-19th)

- Assists: Paul Szczechura (8, T-8th)

- Penalty Minutes: Radek Smolenak (60, T-3rd)

- Shorthanded Goals: Paul Szczechura (1, T-2nd)

- Shots: Paul Szczechura (39, T-6th), Brandon Segal (36, T-10th)

- Games Played: Karri Ramo (8, T-6th)

- Minutes Played: Karri Ramo (493, 5th)

- Saves: Karri Ramo (239, 3rd)

ADMIRALS RBK/AHL PLAYER OF THE WEEK NOMINEE

Center Paul Szczechura continued his strong scoring pace with a pair of multiple point games last week. On Wednesday versus Philadelphia, he showed his versatility in a three-point night with an even strength goal, a shorthanded goal and an assist on a power play goal. After being held off the score sheet on Friday night against Portland, Szczechura charged back on Saturday night with a pair of assists against the Pirates - including one on a play that briefly tied the game early in the third period. Szczechura's five points last week tied for the most by any AHL player over that period of time.

Szczechura leads Norfolk is tied for fifth in the AHL scoring race with 13 points (5G, 8A). In ten games played, he has five multiple-point performances. He is currently on pace for 104 points between 40 goals and 64 assists this season.

TRANSACTIONS OF THE PAST WEEK

None

NORFOLK LEADERS

Goals: Brandon Segal (6) Assists: Paul Szczechura (8)

Points: Paul Szczechura (13) Games: Several (10)

PP goals: Wyatt Smith (2) SH goals: Paul Szczechura (1)

+/- Rating: Brandon Segal (+4) PIM: Radek Smolenak (60)

GAA: Karri Ramo (3.89) Spct: Karri Ramo (.882)

Wins: Karri Ramo (1) Losses: Karri Ramo (5)

GPI: Karri Ramo (8) Minutes: Karri Ramo (493)

ROCKFORD LEADERS

Goals: Petri Kontiola (5) Assists: Tim Brent (7)

Points: Petri Kontiola (10) Games: Several (10)

PP goals: Petri Kontiola (4) SH goals: Tim Brent (1)

+/- Rating: Rob Klinkhammer (+6) PIM: Andrew Archer (31)

GAA: Antti Niemi (1.80) Spct: Antti Niemi (.942)

Wins: Antti Niemi (4) Losses: Antti Niemi (2)

GPI: Antti Niemi (6) Minutes: Antti Niemi (367)

THIS WEEK ON THE ADMIRALS HOUR

Tune in to the Admirals Hour on Thursday evening at 6:00 p.m. on ESPN Radio 1310 WGH-AM. "The Voice of the Admirals" Pete Michaud will be joined in the studio by Admirals General Manager Mike Butters. If you have a question for the show, please call (757) 497-1310 during the show or email keith@norfolkadmirals.com prior to 2:00 on Thursday afternoon.

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 (757) 671-8100 or visit Ticketmaster online at www.ticketmaster.com. Don't miss a minute of the action by purchasing your 2008-09 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 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 AHL Live. Visit norfolkadmirals.com and click the AHL Live banner on the left side of the site to view all Admirals' home and away games.

Check out the Norfolk Admirals Statistics

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American Hockey League Stories from November 3, 2008


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