AHL Norfolk Admirals

Admirals Split Two Games with AHL Leaders

Published on January 12, 2004 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Norfolk Admirals News Release


VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – Norfolk hosted the AHL-leading Bridgeport Sound Tigers for a pair of games last weekend, finishing with a win and a loss. On Saturday, January 10, the Admirals couldn't get the puck past Bridgeport goalie Wade Dubielewicz as they dropped a 1-0 decision to the first-place squad. The next evening, the Blue and Gold held the Sound Tigers to 14 shots and came out on top 3-2.

The Hershey Bears (Colorado Avalanche/Tampa Bay Lightning) make their final scheduled visit to Scope in 2003-04 on Wednesday, January 14 at 7:30 p.m. Following that game, the Admirals visit three venues in three nights. On Friday, January 16, Norfolk travels to Lowell to face the Lock Monsters (Carolina Hurricanes) at 7:00 p.m. The next evening finds the Blue and Gold in Binghamton for a 7:05 p.m. match up with the Senators (Ottawa Senators). The road trip concludes on Sunday, January 18 in Philadelphia with a 1:05 p.m. face off against the Phantoms (Philadelphia Flyers).

The Admirals are currently in sixth place in the East Division with record of 15-20-3-3 (38 points). They trail Bridgeport (24-8-5-2, 55 points), Philadelphia (22-13-4-1, 49 points), Hershey (19-13-8-3, 49 points), Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (17-14-4-4, 42 points) and Binghamton (16-16-4-2, 38 points), and are followed by Albany (10-17-5-3, 28 points).

THE WEEK AHEAD

Wednesday, January 14 ... Norfolk vs. Hershey Bears ... 7:15 p.m.

Norfolk is 2-4-1-0 against Hershey this season, with both wins coming at Scope. The Admirals hold a 17-11-5-2 edge in their all-time series versus the Bears. Hershey is 10th in the AHL on the power play (15.2) and 24th on the penalty kill (82.8). Eric Perrin leads the Bears in goals (16), assists (25), points (41) and power play goals (seven). He is fifth on the AHL scoring leaders list. Pascal Trepanier is third on the team with 4+21=25 points, and he shares the League lead in helpers by a blueliner with Norfolk 's Marty Wilford. Marc Busenburg's plus-12 rating is tops on the club while Trepanier's minus-8 rating is the lowest. Gavin Morgan's 85 PIM are most on the Bears. In net, Peter Budaj is 11-9-6 with a 2.75 GAA and a .919 spct. in 27 games, while Tom Lawson is 8-7-2 with a 2.08 GAA and a .939 spct. in 20 appearances. Lawson is 11th in the AHL in GAA and third in save percentage.

Friday, January 16 ... Norfolk @ Lowell Lock Monsters ... 7:00 p.m.

This is the first of four meetings between the teams this season. Norfolk is 3-2-3-0 all-time against Lowell. The Lock Monsters' power play unit leads the AHL (18.4) while their penalty killers are ranked 27th (80.4). Pavel Brendl is atop the team's scoring list with 17+16=33 points. Mike Zigomanis has the most helpers on Lowell with 23. Brennan Evans' plus-6 rating is best among current Lock Monsters while several players are tied with the lowest ratings at minus-7. Joey Tetarenko has seen the most time in the penalty box on the team with 65 PIM. The netminding duties are split by Patrick DesRochers (23 GPI, 9-12-1, 3.10 GAA, .902 spct.), Dany Sabourin (10 GPI, 4-5-1, 2.81 GAA, .907 spct.) and Brent Krahn (5 GPI, 1-3-0, 2.76 GAA, .916 spct.). DesRochers is among the top 10 goalies in losses.

Saturday, January 17 ... Norfolk@ Binghamton Senators ... 7:05 p.m.

The Admirals and B-Sens split their first two games this year. The Blue and Gold are 4-2-0-0 all-time against Binghamton. The B-Sens rank 19th in the League with the man-advantage (13.8) and 15th when shorthanded (85.7). Denis Hamel is the Senators' leader in goals (15), assists (16) and points (31). Chris Kelly owns the highest rating on the team at plus-11 while Greg Watson has the lowest rating at minus-6. Brian McGrattan has accumulated 170 PIM thus far this season, placing him second in the AHL in PIM. Between the pipes, Ray Emery is 11-10-3 with a 2.14 GAA and a .927 spct. in 25 appearances, and Billy Thompson is 5-8-1 with a 2.74 GAA and .905 spct. in 16 games.

Sunday, January 18 ... Norfolk @ Philadelphia Phantoms ... 1:05 p.m.

The Blue and Gold are 3-3-1-0 versus the Phantoms this year, and 18-13-2-2 in their all-time series. Philadelphia is fifth in the AHL on the power play (16.3) and 12th in shorthanded situations (86.9). Kirby Law has the most goals (16) and points (40) on the club. He shares the team lead in assists with Peter White (24 each). Law is tied for sixth on the AHL scoring leaders list with Manchester's Steve Kelly. The best plus/minus rating on Philadelphia belongs to White at plus-9 and the lowest rating is held by Jim Vandermeer at minus-6. Jim's brother, Peter, leads the Phantoms as well as the entire League with 248 PIM. Minding the cage are Antero Niittymaki (24 GPI, 10-7-4, 2.28 GAA, .918 spct.) and Neil Little (19 GPI, 12-7-0, 2.03 GAA, .915 spct.). Little's 2.03 GAA ranks him ninth in the AHL in that category.

UPCOMING GAMES/PROMOTIONS

Wednesday, January 14 (Hershey Bears)

* The last regular season appearance at Scope this season of division rival Hershey.

Friday, January 23 (Springfield Falcons)

* The first visit to Norfolk by Phoenix's farm club since 2001.

* 106.9 The Fox Night. Look for 106.9 The Fox's mascot to appear on the concourse.

Saturday, January 24 (Springfield Falcons)

* Pre-game Party at AJ Gator's. For just $15, receive a Blue Level ticket to that night's game, a voucher for two drinks and an hors d'oeuvre buffet at AJ Gator's, 344 Granby Street in Norfolk. Available at the Scope Box Office and all TicketMaster outlets. Special discounts available for season ticket holders through the Admirals' office.

* Chick-Fil-A Night with the Admirals. Details coming soon!

TEAM NOTEBOOK

* With a 3-2 win over Bridgeport on January 11, the Admirals improved to 4-1-0-1 all-time against the Sound Tigers.

* Norfolk's 1-0 loss to Bridgeport on January 10 was the fourth such decision against the Admirals this year. Entering this season, the Blue and Gold had lost by a 1-0 score only three times since joining the AHL in 2000.

* RW Pavel Vorobiev has eight points (three goals, five assists) over his last six games (since December 31).

* RW Matt Keith ended a streak of six games without a point (since December 28) when he scored the game winner against Bridgeport on January 11.

* D Tim O'Connell was signed to a professional tryout on January 9. He had been skating with the ECHL's Roanoke Express, and appeared in seven games earlier this year with Norfolk, registering one goal, three assists (four points) and 10 PIM at that time.

* Former Admiral Mark Bell notched two goals in the Chicago Blackhawks' 5-4 overtime loss to the Colorado Avalanche on January 11.

ON THE RADIO

All games are broadcast on the Admirals' Flagship Station, AM-1230 WJOI. The games are also cybercast on the World Wide Web at SportsJuice.com. Go to www.SportsJuice.com, or click on the link at www.norfolkadmirals.com. Pre-game broadcasts begin 15 minutes prior to game starting time.

TICKET INFORMATION

Tickets for all remaining contests on the Admirals' home schedule are available at the Scope Box Office, all TicketMaster outlets, charge-by-phone at (757) 671-8100 and online at www.ticketmaster.com. Pro-rated season tickets and group tickets are available through the Admirals' office. For more information, visit the club's website at www.norfolkadmirals.com or call the Admirals at (757) 363-1900.

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American Hockey League Stories from January 12, 2004


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