AHL Norfolk Admirals

Admirals split two with Aeros

March 22, 2004 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Norfolk Admirals News Release


VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – Facing the defending Calder Cup Champions this past weekend, the Blue and Gold split their two pairings with Houston. On Saturday, March 20, Matt Ellison's 14th goal of the season was the difference as the Admirals edged the Aeros 3-2. The next night, Houston scored four times in the second period en route to a 5-3 win over Norfolk.

The Manchester Monarchs (Los Angeles Kings) make their lone appearance in Hampton Roads this season on Friday, March 26 at 7:30 p.m. The Bridgeport Sound Tigers (New York Islanders) face off twice with the Admirals at Scope this weekend. The puck drops at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 27 and at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 28.

The Admirals are fourth in the East Division with a record of 32-30-4-5 (71 GP, 73 points). They trail Philadelphia (70 GP, 39-24-6-1, 85 points), Bridgeport (70 GP, 36-21-9-4, 85 points) and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (71 GP, 30-27-8-6, 74 points). Binghamton (71 GP, 32-30-7-2, 73 points), Hershey (71 GP, 30-29-8-4, 72 points) and Albany (71 GP,. 17-34-11-9, 54 points) are behind Norfolk in the standings.

THE WEEK AHEAD

Friday, March 26 ... Norfolk vs. Manchester Monarchs ... 7:30 p.m.

Manchester won the previous match up this season, 5-0 on November 2. The Admirals are now 2-5-2-0 all-time versus the Kings' farm club. The Monarchs sit second to Hartford (37-20-11-2, 87 points) in the Atlantic Division with 83 points (36-22-6-5). They are 18th in the AHL on the power play (14.1) and 11th on the penalty kill (86.2). Pavel Rosa leads Manchester as well as the League in scoring with 31+43=74 points. He is among the top five in goals and assists, first in shots (273) and second in the AHL with a plus-31 rating (Curtis Murphy, MIL - plus-37). Noah Clarke's 49 points (24+25) place him third on the Monarchs in scoring, and first among rookie skaters. He also ranks among the top five freshmen in tallies and helpers. Bryan Muir leads all AHL defensemen in points (45) and assists (36). George Parros has the lowest rating on the club at minus-9. Joe Rullier's 171 PIM are most on Manchester. In net, Adam Hauser is 18-13-6 with a 1.93 GAA and a .926 spct. in 38 games, Mathieu Chouinard is 10-5-0 with a 2.16 GAA and a .918 spct. in 20 appearances and Milan Hnilicka is 6-7-0 with a 2.47 GAA and a .908 spct. in 14 outings. Hauser is tied with Dieter Kochan (BRI) for fifth in the League in GAA.

Saturday, March 27 ... Norfolk vs. Bridgeport Sound Tigers ... 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, March 28 ... Norfolk vs. Bridgeport Sound Tigers ... 4:00 p.m.

Norfolk is 3-1-0-1 against Bridgeport this year, and 5-1-0-1 in the squads' all-time series. The Sound Tigers remain the least-penalized team in the League with 989 PIM (14.13 PIM per game). The club's power play unit is 20th in the AHL (13.2) while their penalty killers are first (90.1). Jeff Hamilton has 37+24=61 points to lead Bridgeport in scoring. He is first in the League in goals and game-winners (14), second in power play tallies (18; Jason Pominville, ROC - 21) and ninth in points. Eric Manlow tops the club in assists (26) and plus/minus rating (plus-15). Martin Kariya owns the lowest rating at minus-12. Graham Belak is the team-leader in penalty minutes with 167 PIM. Between the pipes are Wade Dubieliwicz (32 GPI, 20-8-4, 1.42 GAA, .944 spct.) and Dieter Kochan (37 GPI, 16-15-5, 1.93 GAA, .931 spct.). They are first and tied for fifth in the AHL, respectively, in GAA, and are second and eighth, respectively, in save percentage.

UPCOMING GAMES/PROMOTIONS

Friday, March 26 (Manchester Monarchs)

* Thundersticks giveaway. The first 4,000 fans will receive a pair of Thundersticks, courtesy of Coca-Cola and Gotti's Grinders.

* TicketMaster Two-fer. Until 4:00 p.m. the day of the game, purchase Blue or White level tickets as two for the price of one. (This offer may not be combined with other coupons or discounts.)

Saturday, March 27 (Bridgeport Sound Tigers)

* MDA Jersey Auction. Following the game, bid on the Admirals' game-worn jerseys. Proceeds to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA).

Sunday, March 28 (Bridgeport Sound Tigers)

* Scout Night. Local scout troops can purchase discounted tickets through the Tidewater Council Service Center until Wednesday, March 24.

* Family Fun Pack Game. Receive a Blue level ticket, hot dog and soft drink for just $11.00. Available at the Scope Box Office and all TicketMaster outlets. (Must be purchased in advance. Not available the day of the game. This offer may not be combined with other coupons or discounts.)

* Final Never a Wasted Ticket date for season ticket holders. Requests for unused season ticket exchanges must be made by 12:00 p.m. on Friday, March 26.

TEAM NOTEBOOK

* RW Bobby Russell was released from his PTO today. He is expected to report to Trenton (ECHL).

* Over their last six games (since March 7 vs. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton), the Admirals have taken at least 30 shots while holding the opposition to 25 shots or fewer each time. Norfolk has outshot its foes 201-128, but is 2-4-0-0 during that stretch.

* Houston's 5-3 win over the Admirals on March 21 was the first time in 11 contests (since February 20 at Lowell) that an opponent scored more that two goals against the Blue and Gold.

* The Aeros' four second stanza goals on March 21 were the most allowed in one period by Norfolk this year. The franchise-mark for most goals allowed in a period is five, set by Rochester on December 7, 2002.

* The Admirals held Houston to just one shot in the third period on March 21, the fewest allowed in one stanza this season, and tying the team record set several times before.

* The Blue and Gold are ninth in the League in goals against (2.35 per game) and first in shots against (24.82).

* D Marty Wilford picked up his team-leading 33rd assist on Sunday, his first point in six games (since March 5). He is tied with Rochester's David Cullen for second in helpers among AHL blueliners.

* C Ajay Baines' goal Sunday was his first tally in 12 matches (since February 18). He shares the team-lead in goals with LW Matt Ellison (14 each).

* C Tyler Arnason and G Michael Leighton each had a busy weekend for the Blackhawks. Arnason tallied a hat trick, including the game-winner, and Leighton stopped 32 shots in Chicago's 4-3 overtime win over Vancouver on March 19. Against Phoenix on March 21, Arnason scored his 21st goal of the season and Leighton made 39 saves, including nine in overtime, as the Blackhawks tied the Coyotes 2-2.

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

Individual tickets for the five 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. Group tickets and Calder Cup 2004 Playoff Packages are on sale through the Admirals' office. For more information, visit the club's website at www.norfolkadmirals.com or call the Admirals at (757) 363-1900.

Check out the Norfolk Admirals Statistics



American Hockey League Stories from March 22, 2004


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central