AHL Norfolk Admirals

Blue and Gold Snap Winless Skid

March 24, 2003 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Norfolk Admirals News Release


VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – The Admirals picked up four points in the standings last week, including a victory to end a franchise-mark nine-game winless streak. Despite outshooting the Monarchs 50-16, Norfolk was blanked by Manchester 3-0 in New Hampshire on March 19. The next evening, Marty Wilford lit the lamp with 15 seconds left in regulation to give the Admirals a 4-4 tie at Portland. The Mighty Ducks scored a power play goal in overtime to sink the Blue and Gold 3-2 on March 22. Casey Hankinson tallied a pair of goals as the Admirals thumped Cincinnati 4-1 on March 23.

The Philadelphia Phantoms (Philadelphia Flyers) make their final regular season appearance at Scope on Wednesday, March 26 at 7:15 p.m. Following that game, the Blue and Gold begin a three-game road swing, starting with a showdown against the Rochester Americans (Buffalo Sabres) on Friday, March 28 at 7:35 p.m.. The squad visits the Binghamton Senators (Ottawa Senators) on March 29 for a 7:05 p.m. face off. The road tilt concludes in Philadelphia on Sunday, March 30 with a 5:05 p.m. contest against the Phantoms.

Norfolk remains in first place in the South Division with 82 points (33-23-11-5), just one point ahead of Hershey (33-24-13-2, 81 points). Wilkes-Barre/Scranton is in third (32-31-5-5, 74 points) and Philadelphia sits in fourth (30-30-6-6, 72 points).

THE WEEK AHEAD

Wednesday, March 26...Norfolk vs. Philadelphia Phantoms...7:15 p.m.

Sunday, March 30...Norfolk @ Philadelphia Phantoms...5:05 p.m.

The Admirals hold a 5-3-0-0 advantage in the season series, including a 3-1-0-0 mark at Philadelphia. The Phantoms are the third most-penalized club in the AHL, averaging 25.6 PIM per game (1,842 PIM total). They are ranked 24th on the power play (14.52) and 14th when shorthanded (84.37). Mark Greig tops the squad in goals (29), assists (40), points (69) power play tallies (13) and game-winning goals (eight), and is in the top 10 in points in the AHL. John Slaney is next on the Phantoms' scoring list with 7+30=37 points, and he ranks among the top-scoring defensemen in the League. Kirby Law's plus-10 rating is best on the team. Peter Vandermeer's minus-11 rating is the lowest, and he leads Philadelphia and the entire AHL with 303 PIM. Between the pipes, Antero Niittymaki is 13-20-2 with a 2.67 GAA and a .901 spct. in 37 appearances.

Friday, March 28...Norfolk @ Rochester Americans...7:35 p.m.

This is the final match up between the teams this year, with Rochester holding a 2-1-0-0 edge in the season series. Norfolk's lone win came on November 11 in Rochester. The Amerks have allowed 19 shorthanded goals, the most in the League. They are 26th in the AHL with the man-advantage (13.91), but are ranked fourth in penalty killing (86.21). Rochester is fourth in the League in penalties (1,837 PIM, 24.8 per game). Paul Gaustad currently leads the Amerks with 49 points (13+36). He is seventh in scoring and second in assists among all League rookies. Peter Ratchuk has the most points of any Rochester blueliner (10+20=30 points). Andrew Peters has seen the most time in the penalty box of all current Amerks (210 PIM). Denis Hamel's plus-9 rating is best on the club at present, while Peters and Ryan Jorde are tied for the lowest rating at minus-18 each. The goaltending tandem is comprised of Ryan Miller (41 GPI, 18-17-5, 2.44 GAA, .917 spct.) and Tom Askey (16 GPI, 3-8-4, 3.28 GAA, .891 spct.). Miller is sixth in GAA among active League goalies.

Saturday, March 29...Norfolk @ Binghamton Senators...7:05 p.m.

This game will wrap up the season series between the clubs, with Norfolk leading the series 2-1-0-0, including a win in the only other contest at Binghamton on November 9. The Senators lead the East Division with 88 points (39-25-8-2), and their 39 wins are third-most in the Eastern Conference (Hamilton - 48, Providence - 42). Their power play unit is 11th in the AHL (17.01), while their penalty killers are 12th (84.91). Rookie Antoine Vermette leads the B-Sens in goals (34), points (59, 25 assists) and power play goals (13). He is second in points and first in goals among League rookie skaters, and his 34 tallies are third-most overall in the AHL. Brian Pothier's 40 helpers are first on the team and most among AHL defensemen. He is tied with several others for third in scoring (7+40=47 points) among League blueliners. Dennis Bonvie's 263 PIM are most on the team and place him fifth in the League in PIM. Christoph Schubert leads the B-Sens with a plus-13 rating, while Josh Langfeld and Radim Bicanek have the lowest plus/minus ratings at minus-8 each. In net for Binghamton are Andrew Allen (5 GPI, 2-1-0, 1.92 GAA, .940 spct.), Mathieu Chouinard (4 GPI, 2-0-0, 1.98 GAA, .932 spct.) and Jeremy Symington (5 GPI, 3-1-1, 2.32 GAA, .922 spct.).

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS

Wednesday, March 26 (Philadelphia Phantoms)

* Bobblehead Giveaway - The first 2,500 fans receive a bobblehead of Admirals Captain Ajay Baines, courtesy of First Virginia Bank.

* Player Portrait Giveaway (#8 of 8) - The first 3,000 fans receive a player portrait featuring Admirals Captain Ajay Baines, courtesy of the Tobacco Use Control Project (TUCP).

Wednesday, April 2 (Hershey Bears)

* Bahamas Trip Giveaway - One lucky fan will win a trip for two to the Bahamas (airfare and accommodations), courtesy of TradeStaff & Company.

* Fan Appreciation Night - Throughout the game, lucky ticket holders selected at random will win a variety of prizes from the Admirals, the Blackhawks and their sponsorship family.

* Shirts Off Our Backs - At the conclusion of the game, lucky ticket holders selected at random will win the game-worn jerseys right off the players' backs.

TEAM NOTEBOOK

* With a 4-1 victory over Cincinnati on March 23, Norfolk snapped a franchise-record nine game winless streak (0-3-5-1 from March 8 through March 22).

* The Admirals' 3-2 overtime loss to Cincinnati on March 22 was their fifth of the season, tying a team mark for OT losses set in 2000-2001.

* G Michael Leighton ended a five-game winless streak (0-3-2, March 9-22) with a victory versus Cincinnati on March 23.

* F Casey Hankinson has 10 points (seven goals, three assists) in his last 11 games.

* C Brett McLean has notched 3+2=5 points over the last five contests including goals in three straight games.

* D Ryan Gaucher tallied his first two goals as an Admiral on March 22 and March 23.

* The Chicago Blackhawks recalled LW Igor Radulov on Sunday, March 23, and made his NHL debut against Pittsburgh.

ON THE RADIO

All games are broadcast on the Admirals' Flagship Station, WBVA 1450-AM "The Buzz". 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 20 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. Flex Vouchers and Group Tickets are available through the Admirals' office. 2003-2004 Season Tickets are also on sale now through the Admirals' office. For more information, contact the Admirals at (757) 363-1900 or visit the team's website at www.norfolkadmirals.com.

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American Hockey League Stories from March 24, 2003


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