AHL Norfolk Admirals

Admirals soar past Falcons

November 23, 2007 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Norfolk Admirals News Release


NORFOLK - Rob Klinkhammer had a goal and two assists and the Norfolk Admirals (7-10-0-2) netted four first period goals to defeat the Springfield Falcons (10-6-1-3) 4-2 on Friday night at Norfolk Scope.

For the second consecutive night, the Admirals kept the lamp lit behind their opponent's goalie to start the game. Karl Stewart opened scoring at 5:12 with a mid-air redirection. Justin Keller sent a pass from the right corner toward the net that was deflected upwards by a Falcons defender. Stewart followed the puck and redirected it past Springfield goaltender Jeff Deslauriers for his second goal in as many games.

The lead doubled just 30 seconds later as Jeff Campbell also scored for the second straight night. Campbell executed a give-and-go between the left dot and the left corner with Rob Klinkhammer and emerged with the puck across the slot. He sent a backhander past Deslauriers from the right hashmarks at 5:42.

Klinkhammer made it 3-0 Norfolk with his first professional goal at 11:30. He took a shot from the right point that was deflected by a Springfield defender on its way through Deslaurier's pads. The goal chased Deslauriers, who ranked among the top ten AHL goaltenders in goals-against average entering the game.

The scoring barrage picked up where it left off just 16 seconds later - this time victimizing new Falcons netminder Devan Dubnyk. Klinkhammer sent a pass from the left point to Chris Lawrence near the right hashmarks. Lawrence backhanded a shot five-hole at 11:46.

The Falcons closed the gap to 4-2 with late first period and mid second period goals. Falcons scoring leader Patrick Thoresen chipped a shot over Norfolk netminder Jonathan Boutin's right shoulder after a partial breakaway with just 18 seconds remaining in the first period. At 7:43 of the second stanza, Tim Sestito snuck a shot from the left circle through a screen and Boutin's pads.

However, Boutin battened down the hatches from there, stopping 16 third period shots to cement a 4-2 Norfolk victory.

Boutin earned the victory stopping 30 of 32 shots. Jeff Deslauriers (9 shots, 6 saves) got the loss through 11:30 of play. Devan Dubnyk (16 shots, 15 saves) did not factor into the decision in 46:33 of play.

The Admirals were 0-1 on the power play. Springfield was 0-2.

The Admirals conclude a four-game homestand tomorrow night with a rematch against the Falcons. The puck drops at Scope at 7:15. The first 2,500 fans through the gates will receive an ice scraper courtesy of AAA. Also, Admirals fans are encouraged to bring new stuffed toys to throw onto the ice after the Admirals score their first goal in support of the annual Toy Toss. The toys collected will be included in Z104's "Stuff the Bus" promotion and will be donated to Toys for Tots. 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.




American Hockey League Stories from November 23, 2007


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