AHL Norfolk Admirals

Admirals run point streak to five games with win over Senators

February 1, 2008 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Norfolk Admirals News Release


BINGHAMTON, NY - Paul Szczechura had three points and Radek Smolenak had a regulation goal and the winning shootout conversion as the Norfolk Admirals (14-27-2-4) defeated the Binghamton Senators (22-17-4-4) 4-3 on Friday night at the Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena.

The Senators got onto the board first just 3:01 into the first period. Brian Lee took a shot from the right point that was deflected over the shoulder of Admirals goaltender Marc Denis by Justin Mapletoft in the right faceoff circle.

The Admirals responded just 1:25 later. Paul Szczechura sent a pass from the bottom of the right circle across the slot to Radek Smolenak. Smolenak one-timed the pass behind Binghamton netminder Jeff Glass at 4:26 to knot the score at 1-1.

A Binghamton power play led to a second Senators' lead at 7:48 of the opening frame. Alexander Nikulin sent a shot from along the goal line to the right of Denis that slipped between Denis' legs and into the cage.

Szczechura tied the game at 2-2 with a wraparound goal at 11:26 of the second stanza. He skated down the right wing and swung behind the net before cutting back in front and tucking a shot between the post and the right skate of Glass.

Szczechura then set up Kyle Wanvig's go-ahead goal just under six minutes later. After stealing the puck in the right corner, Szczechura sent a pass across to the slot near the left hashmarks where Wanvig blasted a one-timer into the net at 17:23.

However, Ilya Zubov leveled the score at 3-3 just 13 seconds later when his shot from the right circle went through a screen and past Denis at 17:36.

After a scoreless third period, the teams played an exciting overtime period. In the extra session, Norfolk had a power play and Binghamton's Greg Mauldin had a penalty shot, but neither team was able to dent the twine as the game would require a shootout.

In the shootout, Smolenak scored in the bottom half of the fifth round to give Norfolk a 3-2 edge in the shootout and a 4-3 victory in the game. Adam Henrich and Junior Lessard also tallied in the shootout for the Admirals while Justin Mapletoft and Lawrence Nycholat converted for Binghamton.

Marc Denis (35 shots, 32 saves) earned the win. Jeff Glass (36 shots, 33 saves) was saddled with the shootout loss.

Norfolk was 0-3 on the power play. Binghamton was 1-4.

The Admirals will travel to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton for an afternoon tilt against the Penguins tomorrow. The puck drops at 3:05 p.m. Please note that the originally-scheduled B2 broadcast of the game at Baxter's Sports Lounge has been postponed due to technical difficulties.

The Admirals will return to Scope for a six-game homestand beginning on Wednesday against the Penguins at 7:15. Be sure to call (757) 640-1212 today to get your tickets to the Admirals Hall of Fame Dinner for Thursday. The Admirals will honor Blake Cullen, John Brophy, Al MacIsaac and Rod Taylor as the first class of the Admirals Hall of Fame. For more details, please visit norfolkadmirals.com.

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. To purchase Admirals season tickets, ten packs or group tickets, please stop by the Admirals' administrative offices at Scope or call (757) 640-1212 weekdays from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Three Stars:

1. Paul Szczechura - NOR

2. Radek Smolenak - NOR

3. Ilya Zubov - BNG

Notes: Norfolk now has points in five straight games (3-0-1-1), a season high ... Tonight's game was the fourth straight game for Norfolk that went past regulation (0-1-3) and the third of that stretch decided in a shootout (2-1). Prior to this stretch, Norfolk had never gone more than two games in a row past regulation in their AHL history ... Paul Szczechura now has points (5-5-10) in all seven games since joining Norfolk in a January 15 trade from Iowa (AHL) and has tripled the point total he had in 29 games prior to the trade (2-3-5) ... Radek Smolenak now has points in six straight games (3-4-7) dating back to January 18 vs. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton ... The Admirals won back-to-back road games for the first time this season ... Forwards Shawn Collymore and Chris Lawrence missed tonight's game due to injury, while forwards Rob Klinkhammer and Zbynek Hrdel and defenseman Justin Fletcher were healthy scratches ... Attendance: 3,458.

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