AHL Norfolk Admirals

Admirals Sink Pirates 5-1

Published on February 24, 2008 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Norfolk Admirals News Release


PORTLAND, ME - Jonathan Boutin made 29 saves and Radek Smolenak netted two goals as the Norfolk Admirals (21-30-2-5) routed the Portland Pirates (25-25-4-4) 5-1 on Sunday afternoon at the Cumberland County Civic Center. The Admirals have now earned five of a possible eight points in the first four games (2-1-0-1) of their nine-game road trip and have points in 13 of their last 16 games (10-3-1-2) overall.

Junior Lessard gave the Admirals a 1-0 lead for the second consecutive game. Mario Scalzo took a wrist shot from the top of the right circle that Lessard tipped past Portland goaltender J.P. Levasseur for a power play goal at 7:17.

The Pirates briefly knotted the score at 1-1 just as a five-on-three Portland power play expired 6:29 into the second stanza. Petteri Wirtanen found the rebound of a Bobby Ryan shot in a goalmouth scramble and put it behind Admirals goaltender Jonathan Boutin for a five-on-four power play goal.

However, the Admirals re-claimed the lead just 1:21 later. Norm Milley crossed the Portland blue line and sent a slap shot that eluded a surprised Levasseur at 7:50.

Norfolk's lead grew to 3-1 less than six minutes later. Paul Szczechura sent a shot that Levasseur stopped. Jay Rosehill found the rebound and sent a backhander that Levasseur also stopped, but Rosehill then spun around and sent the second rebound through the legs of the goaltender at 13:26 of the second stanza.

The Admirals started the third period by stretching their lead to three goals. Mario Scalzo intercepted a Portland pass at his own blue line and sent a pass up the ice to Radek Smolenak. Smolenak cut across the left circle and briefly lost the puck in the slot while players collided with Levasseur in the crease. Smolenak re-collected the puck and stashed it into the net just 15 seconds into the final frame.

Smolenak's second goal of the period wrapped up scoring late in the third period. Smolenak sent a shot from the left circle that sailed over Levasseur's right shoulder at 16:42 of the final frame.

Jonathan Boutin (30 shots, 29 saves) earned the win. Boutin has won five straight games and is unbeaten in his last seven games (6-0-1). J.P. Levasseur (22 shots, 17 saves) picked up the loss.

Norfolk was 1-4 on the power play. Portland was 1-7.

The Admirals and Pirates will re-engage on Tuesday night at 7:05 p.m. as the Admirals play game five of their nine-game road trip.

The Admirals return to Scope on March 7 against the Philadelphia Phantoms. 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. Radek Smolenak - NOR

2. Jonathan Boutin - NOR

3. Paul Szczechura - NOR

Notes: The four-goal margin of victory marked the first Norfolk road victory that was not by one goal this season ... The Admirals now have wins in five of their last seven road games (5-1-0-1) ... Jonathan Boutin is 6-0-1 in his last seven games - one win/shootout loss shy of tying Norfolk's AHL franchise record unbeaten streak (8 games held by Corey Crawford, Craig Anderson and Michael Leighton) ... During his unbeaten streak, Boutin has a 1.32 goals-against average and .954 save percentage with two shutouts ... Paul Szczechura has points in six of his last seven games (4-3-7) and 16 of his last 18 games (11-10-21) ... Junior Lessard has points in five of seven games (2-4-6) ... Radek Smolenak points in four of five games (3-2-5) ... Norm Milley has points in four of his last six games (5-4-9) ... Justin Keller has points in four of six games (1-6-7) ... Mario Scalzo has points in four of six games (1-4-5) ... Vladimir Mihalik was +3 in his second consecutive game. He is now +6 on the season and is a team-best +16 rating in his last 17 games ... Defenseman Kevin Quick made his professional debut ... Forward Chris Lawrence and defenseman Andy Rogers missed the game due to injury while forward Adam Henrich and defenseman David Schneider were healthy scratches ... Attendance: 6,566.

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American Hockey League Stories from February 24, 2008


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