Admirals season ends in game six at Philadelphia
May 3, 2004 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Norfolk Admirals News Release
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. â After winning just one of three home games against the Phantoms last week, the Blue and Gold were knocked out of the Calder Cup 2004 Playoffs four games to two with a loss in Game Six at Philadelphia in their divisional semifinal series. The Phantoms jumped out to a three games to one lead in the best-of-seven series with a 3-1 win on Tuesday, April 27 and a 2-1 win in triple overtime on Wednesday, April 28, both at Scope.
Norfolk staved off elimination with a 2-1 home win on Friday, April 30. The Admirals' attempt to come back from an early 3-0 deficit on Saturday, May 1, fell short in a 3-2 loss at the Wachovia Center, giving Philadelphia the series victory.
The Phantoms (Philadelphia) will now face the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (Pittsburgh) in the East Division finals.
For the latest Calder Cup 2004 Playoffs standings and information, visit caldercup.com.
TEAM NOTEBOOK
* Norfolk's 2-1 win over Philadelphia in Game Five on April 30 was the first victory in franchise history when facing elimination in a playoff series. The Admirals had been 0-3 previously when facing elimination and are now 1-4 following the loss on May 1.
* Game Six on May 1 saw a number of franchise playoff records set: fewest PIM in a game by an opponent - zero PIM; fewest PIM in a game by both teams - six PIM; shortest game - two hours, one minute.
* The Blue and Gold have played seven playoff series in franchise history, winning three and losing four. They swept two playoff series, and have never been swept themselves. The squad has never played the maximum number of games possible in a playoff series.
Admirals post-season history:
2001 - defeated Cincinnati 3-1 in best-of-five series; lost to Hershey 4-1
in best-of-seven series
2002 - lost to Hershey 3-1 in best-of-five series
2003 - defeated San Antonio 3-0 in best-of-five series; lost to Houston 4-2
in best-of-seven series
2004 - defeated Binghamton 2-0 in best-of-three series; lost to
Philadelphia 4-2 in best-of-seven series
* Quintin Laing finished as Norfolk's leader in post-season goals (five), power play tallies (two) and points (six). Johnathan Aitken's four assists and 27 PIM were tops on the team in those categories. Laing, Aitken and Anton Babchuk all had plus-4 ratings during the playoffs, best on the squad.
* Among all AHL goaltenders in the playoffs, Michael Leighton is currently second in GAA (0.57) and spct. (.978) while Craig Anderson is eighth in GAA (1.84) and ninth in spct. (.934).
COMMUNITY NOTEBOOK
* The Admirals raised over $2,500 for the Bender Children's Trust Fund last week. Through norfolkadmirals.com and a silent auction at Scope, the team auctioned off the original Hampton Roads Admirals office sign autographed by Olaf Kolzig and the 1997-98 ECHL Champion Admirals, as well as a promotional poster for the movie "Miracle" autographed by Vladislav Tretiak. The winning bid on the sign was $1,050 and the winning bid for the poster was $250. Both items were generously donated by Admirals fans. Additional donations were raised at Scope through 50/50 raffles and collection jars.
Donations for the trust fund are still being accepted through: Bender Children's Trust c/o Cherry, Bekaert, and Holland, 222 Central Park Ave., Suite 1400, Virginia Beach, VA 23462.
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American Hockey League Stories from May 3, 2004
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- Russian loss puts U.S. in Final Round Quarterfinals - Providence Bruins
- Wolves Weekly - Chicago Wolves
- Admirals season ends in game six at Philadelphia - Norfolk Admirals
- Phantoms Weekly - Adirondack Phantoms
- 2002-2003 Jersey Auction - Albany River Rats
- Crunch Jersey Auction to End Monday, May 10 at 3 p.m. - Syracuse Crunch
- Wolves Meet Admirals in Round Two of Playoffs - Chicago Wolves
- Milwaukee advances - Hershey Bears
- Team U.S.A. falls in tough battle with Sweden - Providence Bruins
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