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AHL Norfolk Admirals

Blue and Gold knock off P-Bruins and Wolf Pack

February 2, 2004 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Norfolk Admirals News Release


VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – The Admirals faced the top two squads in the Atlantic Division last weekend, coming away with a pair of victories. On Friday, January 30, Ajay Baines scored shorthanded and added an assist as Norfolk defeated second-place Providence 2-1. Against Hartford on January 31, Pavel Vorobiev had two lamplighters and one helper in the Admirals' 5-1 outburst over the Atlantic Division leaders.

The San Antonio Rampage (Florida Panthers) make their first appearances at Scope since the 2003 Calder Cup Playoffs on Friday, February 6 and Saturday, February 7. Face off is at 7:30 p.m. for both matches.

The Admirals are sixth in the East Division with record of 19-24-4-5 (47 points). They trail Bridgeport (27-11-6-3, 63 points), Philadelphia (28-14-5-1, 62 points), Hershey (24-18-8-3, 59 points), Binghamton (22-19-4-2, 50 points) and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (19-18-5-4, 47 points), and are followed by Albany (13-20-6-6, 38 points).

THE WEEK AHEAD

Friday, February 6 ... Norfolk vs. San Antonio Rampage ... 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, February 7 ... Norfolk vs. San Antonio Rampage ... 7:30 p.m.

The Admirals split their two previous match ups with the Rampage this season in Texas, dropping a 4-1 contest on December 19 before shutting out San Antonio 2-0 on December 20. These two contests wrap up the season series between the clubs. Norfolk is 2-3-0-1 all-time against San Antonio in regular season play, and is winless in two games played at Scope (0-1-0-1).

The Rampage are one of two teams without an overtime loss thus far this season (Grand Rapids). They have played the fewest games of any AHL club (43). Florida's farm club ranks 10th in the League on the power play (15.8) and 18th on the penalty kill (85.1). The Rampage have been outshot 1,410 to 1,142 (minus-268), the second-worst differential in the AHL (Providence, minus-313).

With Eric Beaudoin and Mike Green on recall to Florida, San Antonio is led in scoring by Denis Shvidki's 8+24 =32 points. His plus-seven rating is tops on the club, while Daryl Andrews has the lowest rating at minus-13. Lee Goren and Josh Olson share the team-lead in goals with 10 each. Former Admiral Jeff Paul leads the Rampage with 121 PIM. He has 1+6=7 points and a plus-2 rating in 35 games, while Kent Huskins, another former Norfolk defenseman, has 2+6=8 points, 30 PIM and a plus-3 rating in 42 appearances. Travis Scott has seen the bulk of time in net, posting a record of 16-16-5 with a 2.41 GAA and a .926 spct. in 38 outings.

He is tied for second in the League in wins (Marc Lamoth - GRA; Ilya Bryzgalov - CIN) and shares third in the League in losses with Jean-Marc Pelletier (SPR). Scott leads all AHL goalies in saves (1,119) and is second in minutes played with 2,237:36 (Johan Holmqvist - HOU, first - 2,281:46).

Backing up Scott, Simon Lejeunesse is 1-4-1 with a 3.93 GAA and a .877 spct. in eight games, and Marco Emond has appeared in one contest, allowing a goal on 10 shots in 14:44 of work.

UPCOMING GAMES/PROMOTIONS

Friday, February 6 (San Antonio Rampage)

* Everyone's a Kid Night. For this game, all tickets are being sold at the kid's ticket price of just $8.00. All seating is reserved and is available at the Scope Box Office, all TicketMaster outlets, charge-by-phone at 671-8100 or online at www.ticketmaster.com. (No other coupons or discounts may be combined with this offer.)

Saturday, February 7 (San Antonio Rampage)

* Florida's farm hands make their last regular season appearance at Scope at 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, February 11 (Lowell Lock Monsters)

* The Carolina Hurricanes' affiliate visit Hampton Roads for the first time this season at 7:15 p.m.

Saturday, February 13 (Lowell Lock Monsters)

* Big Rock Night. The first 1,000 ladies will receive a stone. One especially lucky lady will be holding a .58 carat diamond while the others will have cubic zirconias. Recipients should take their stones to Long Jewelers (2953 Virginia Beach Boulevard in Virginia Beach) to see if they have the diamond. Three fans will also win gift cards to Long Jewelers.

* 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.

TEAM NOTEBOOK

* Norfolk's meeting with Providence on January 30 was the first pairing of the clubs since February 7, 2001 in Rhode Island (1-0 Norfolk win). The Admirals' victory improved their all-time record versus the P-Bruins to 3-1-1-0, including a 2-0-1-0 mark at Norfolk Scope.

* The Admirals' five-goal performance against Hartford on January 31 (5-1 win) was only the second time this season the Blue and Gold lit the lamp five or more times in one game. They scored six goals on opening night (October 8) to down Wilkes-Barre 6-3.

* G Michael Leighton has allowed just one goal in each of his last three games (January 25 at Wilkes-Barre through January 31 versus Hartford). He is 2-0-1-0 with a 0.97 GAA and a .962 spct. in those games.

* LW Matt Ellison was recalled to Chicago on February 1. At the time of his recall, Ellison was first on Norfolk in goals (11) and second in scoring with 25 points (14 assists). The rookie skater picked up his first NHL career point with an assist in his NHL debut on February 1 at Montreal.

* D Scott Balan was reassigned to Florence (ECHL) on February 1. In 22 games with Norfolk, Balan had one point (an assist), 35 PIM and a plus-1 rating.

* The Blackhawks' contest against Montreal on February 1 was Brian Sutter's 1,000th regular season game as a head coach. Steve Sullivan scored twice and Kyle Calder had one goal, but the Hawks fell 6-4.

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 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. 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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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.

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