AHL Norfolk Admirals

Admirals Rebound to Defeat Devils 5-1

Published on December 18, 2010 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Norfolk Admirals News Release


NORFOLK, Va. - James Wright scored twice and added two assists as the Norfolk Admirals (18-6-5-1) defeated the Albany Devils (12-17-0-0), 5-1, on Saturday night at Norfolk Scope Arena. The Admirals' next game takes place on December 26 in Hershey, Pennsylvania, with the first matchup of 2010-11 against the Bears.

Matt Fornataro, Mark Barberio and Pierre-Cedric Labrie also scored for Norfolk while Cedric Desjardins stopped 26 of 27 shots for the win.

The Admirals opened scoring 6:36 into the game on Fornataro's tenth goal of the season. While on the power play, Barberio sent a shot from the high slot. Fornataro deflected the shot from the top of the crease between the blocker and right leg of Albany goaltender Mike McKenna.

Norfolk's lead doubled less than five minutes later. Paul Szczechura entered the attacking zone with speed along the left wing. He sent a pass to Barberio at the right point. Barberio cut across to the slot, deking to elude the poke check of an Albany defender before sending a forehand wrist shot through traffic and past the glove of McKenna at 11:11.

Wright's first goal of the season put Norfolk ahead 3-0 with 3:30 remaining in the first period. While playing shorthanded, the Admirals cleared the puck into the Devils zone. McKenna passed the puck to an Albany defender at the bottom of the right circle, but the defender fell down and the puck slid free. Wright recovered the puck and scored on his second rebound attempt by wrapping the puck inside the post behind McKenna's right leg.

Michael Swift cut Norfolk's lead to 3-1 midway through the second period. Kory Nagy was the beneficiary of a neutral zone turnover and sent a pass from the right circle to Swift in the slot. Swift sent a shot over the blocker of Desjardins at 8:07.

The Admirals reclaimed their three-goal lead with Wright's second marker of the game. On the power play, Wright executed a give-and-go with Kevin Quick along the right half wall before passing the puck to Paul Szczechura in the slot. While Szczechura shot the puck off McKenna's left leg, Wright drove to the net and buried the rebound at 15:59.

The Admirals then went up 5-1 just under three minutes later with their second shorthanded goal of the game. Wright sent a shot from the right circle that hit the post behind McKenna's right leg. Pierre-Cedric Labrie backhanded the carom into the net for his fourth goal of the season at 18:57.

Neither team scored in the third period.

Cedrick Desjardins (27 shots, 26 saves) earned his twelfth win of the season. Former Admiral Mike McKenna (47 shots, 42 saves) was saddled with the loss for the Devils.

Norfolk was 2-8 on the power play. Albany was 0-5.

The Admirals' next game takes place on December 26 in Hershey, Pennsylvania, with the first matchup of 2010-11 against the Bears. The puck drops at 5:00 p.m. Due to Washington Redskins football there will not be a radio broadcast of the game on 102.1-FM or 1490-AM. However, you can follow all of the action online at 1021TheGame.com and AHLLive.com.

The Admirals return to Scope on Tuesday and Thursday, December 28 and 30, to battle the Charlotte Checkers at 7:15 p.m. Both games will feature Admirals Family Fun Packs and Student Rush Nights. In addition, fans will receive Lil' Kinz lions courtesy of The Virginia Zoo on Tuesday and Admirals Mini Sticks courtesy of Bon Secours In Motion Physical Therapy on Thursday.

Family Fun Packs, presented by SunTrust, include four discounted Red Level Tickets for just $48 plus four free hot dogs, four free popcorns and four free sodas. Fans get all of that for just $48 - that's a savings of $37!

Student Rush Nights provide $8 White Level Tickets (normally $12) for students with a valid current high school or college ID. In addition, when you buy a Student Rush Night Ticket, you get a buy-one, get-one free offer for the next Student Rush Night.

Family Fun Packs are available at the Scope Box Office, all Ticketmaster Outlets, charge-by-phone at 1-800-745-3000 or online at Ticketmaster.com. Student Rush Night Tickets are available ONLY at the Scope Box Office after 2:00 p.m. on the day of the game.

Individual tickets for all regular season games start at just $12. Tickets are available now at the Scope Box Office, all Ticketmaster Outlets, charge-by-phone at 1-800-745-3000 and online at ticketmaster.com.

Don't miss a minute of the action by purchasing your 2010-11 season tickets today. Season tickets start at just $350 while 10-Packs are available for as little as $110. 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!

Three Stars:

1. James Wright - NOR

2. Mark Barberio - NOR

3. Paul Szczechura - NOR

NOTES ... The Admirals have standings points in eight straight games (6-0-2-0) and in 13 of their last 15 games (11-2-2-0) ... With his tenth goal of the season, Matt Fornataro tied his AHL career high for goals in a single season, matching the ten he scored with Worcester in 2008-09 ... Ty Wishart has assists in five straight games (6A) ... Scratches: Levi Nelson, Tim Marks, Mathieu Roy, Mitch Fritz, Troy Milam.

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