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AHL Norfolk Admirals

All-Stars Shine as Admirals Win in Wilkes-Barre

January 4, 2012 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Norfolk Admirals News Release


WILKES-BARRE, Penn. - After being named to the AHL All-Star roster earlier today, Cory Conacher and Trevor Smith both notched three-point games as the Norfolk Admirals (21-11-0-2) upended the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (18-11-1-4), 5-1, on Wednesday night at Mohegan Sun Arena.

Norfolk has recorded standings points in each of its last six games (5-0-0-1) to move back into a tie for first place in the AHL's East Division with the Hershey Bears. The Admirals will return to Scope this weekend to face off against the Albany Devils on Friday and Saturday nights.

Conacher extended his AHL lead in goal scoring with his 20th and 21st goals of 2011-12 while Smith recorded three assists. Richard Panik, Radko Gudas and Mike Angelidis also scored for Norfolk while Dustin Tokarski stopped 20 of 21 shots for his 14th win of the season.

The Admirals charged out to a 3-0 lead before the first period was nine minutes old. Panik opened scoring just 3:25 into the contest with his fifth goal of the season. Jean-Philippe Cote sent a shot from the left point that bounced off Penguins goaltender Brad Thiessen. However, Panik found the rebound in the bottom of the left circle and backhanded a shot past Thiessen's right leg.

Just over a minute later, Conacher doubled the Norfolk lead. Pierre-Cedric Labrie sent a pass from the right half wall to Conacher at the top of the right circle. Conacher sent a snap shot over the stick-side shoulder of Thiessen at 4:31.

The visitors took a 3-0 lead on Gudas' fifth goal of the season less than four minutes later. Conacher sent a pass to the right point, and Gudas sent a floating wrist shot through a screen and past Thiessen at 8:25.

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton got on the board 2:16 into the second period. Former Admirals captain Ryan Craig sent a shot that Tokarski stopped. However, the rebound landed in the crease, and Nick Peterson shoveled it past Tokarski and into the net to cut Norfolk's lead to 3-1.

The Admirals iced their victory with a pair of third period power play goals. Conacher netted his second goal of the contest 11:34 into the final frame while Norfolk enjoyed a five-on-three power play. Mike Kostka sent a slap shot from the high slot through traffic. Conacher found the rebound in the high slot and sent it past Thiessen for his AHL-leading 21st goal of 2011-12.

Angelidis then closed out scoring at 19:00. Jeff Dimmen sent a shot from the point that Angelidis deflected past Thiessen for his sixth goal of the season.

Dustin Tokarski (14-7-0) turned aside 20 of 21 shots for the victory. Brad Thiessen (11-9-2) made 19 saves on 24 shots for the defeat.

Norfolk was 2 for 5 on the power play. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton was 0 of 4.

The Admirals return to Norfolk Scope Arena Friday and Saturday nights as they host the Albany Devils in a pair of matchups. Game time for Friday's contest with the Devils is set for 7:30 p.m.

Individual tickets for all regular season games start at just $12. Tickets are available now at the Scope Box Office, all Ticketmaster Outlets, charge-by-phone at 1-800-745-3000 and online at ticketmaster.com.

Don't miss a minute of the action by purchasing your 2011-12 season tickets today. Season tickets start at just $350 while 10-Packs are available for as little as $110. Stop by the Admirals' Administrative Offices at Scope, call (757) 640-1212 weekdays from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. or visit norfolkadmirals.com anytime!

Three Stars:

1. Cory Conacher - NOR

2. Trevor Smith - NOR

3. Richard Panik - NOR

NOTES ... Mark Barberio, Cory Conacher and Trevor Smith were named to the Eastern Conference roster for the 2012 AHL All-Star Classic earlier today ... Smith (0g, 3a) registered his fifth three-point game of the season while Conacher (2g, 1a) recorded his third three-point game of the season ... Norfolk is undefeated in regulation in its last six games (5-0-0-1). It is the longest Norfolk point streak since March 9 - 23, 2011 (also 5-0-0-1) ... The Admirals are now 3-0-0-0 at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton this season, marking just the third time they have won three consecutive games at the Mohegan Sun Arena in franchise history ... Eleven different players recorded points in tonight's contest ... Mike Kostka is on a five-game point streak (2g, 4a) ... Did not play: Richard Petiot, Kevin Quick, Alexandre Picard, Ondrej Palat.

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