AHL Norfolk Admirals

Blue and Gold Stay Atop Western Conference

Published on December 2, 2002 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Norfolk Admirals News Release


VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – The Admirals finished the week at 2-1-0-1 to maintain the top record in the AHL's Western Conference. At Cleveland on November 25, the Blue and Gold fell to the Barons 6-3. The squad then faced Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, where three unanswered goals in the third period lifted the Admirals to a 5-4 victory over the Penguins. The Houston Aeros visited Scope on November 29 and 30, with Norfolk coming out on top 5-4 in the first game and dropping the second contest 2-1 in overtime.

The Milwaukee Admirals (Nashville Predators) make their lone appearance at Scope this season on Wednesday, December 4 at 7:15 p.m. On Friday, December 6 and Saturday, December 7, the Rochester Americans (Buffalo Sabres) make their only trip to Norfolk this year. The puck drops at 7:30 p.m. for both games.

Norfolk sits in first place in the South Division with 34 points (15-5-1-3). Hershey is second with 28 points (12-5-3-1) with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton third at 8-11-2-2 (20 points) and Philadelphia fourth at 8-11-1-2 (19 points).

THE WEEK AHEAD

Wednesday, December 4...Norfolk vs. Milwaukee Admirals...7:15 p.m.

The Admirals split their two contests against the Admirals last season, each squad winning on home ice. Following a 6-0-4-1 start this year, Milwaukee has won just once in its last eight games (9-5-6-2, 26 points overall). The team has allowed at least three goals in each of its last six contests, and five or more goals in four of them. Milwaukee ranks seventh on the power play (18.33) and 19th on the penalty kill (82.57). Darren Haydar tops the club in scoring with 11+13=24 points and a plus-12 rating. He is first in goals scored and plus/minus rating among League rookies, and third in points and assists. Haydar is also tied for 10th overall in scoring in the AHL.

Greg Classen is riding a seven-game points streak (3+8=11 points) and is third on the team with 20 points (seven goals, 13 assists). Peter Smrek leads all Milwaukee defensemen with 13 points (2+11) and a plus-9 rating. Nathan Perrott has the most penalty minutes on the club with 71 PIM. Jan Lasak has seen the bulk of time in net, posting an 8-4-5 record, 3.04 goals against average and .898 save percentage in 18 games. He is second in the League with 1,044 minutes and 465 saves. Chris Madden completes the goaltending tandem with a 1-3-1 record, 3.08 GAA and .890 spct. in eight appearances.

Friday, December 6...Norfolk vs. Rochester Americans...7:30 p.m.

Saturday, December 7...Norfolk vs. Rochester Americans ...7:30 p.m.

The Blue and Gold won their previous match up this season against the Amerks, 4-2 at Rochester on November 11. The Americans have just one win in 10 road games thus far. They are tied with Milwaukee for most games ending in a draw this year (six). Rochester's power play unit is ranked 25th in the AHL (11.97) while its penalty killers are ranked seventh (86.58). The Amerks have been out-scored 27-14 in the third period. Jason Botterill leads Rochester with 13 goals and six power play goals, and is tied with Norm Milley for most points on the team (19; Botterill, 13+6, Milley, 6+13).

Radoslv Hecl has the best rating on the Amerks at plus-2, while Doug Janik has the lowest rating at minus-12. Sean McMorrow tops the club with 105 PIM and has the third-most PIM in League. His 13 major penalties give him the AHL-lead in that category. Between the pipes, Ryan Miller is 5-9-2 with a 2.48 GAA and .912 spct. in 16 appearances. He is among the top 15 among AHL netminders in GAA and tied for second with Lowell's Jean-Marc Pelletier in losses. Tom Askey has posted a 1-2-3 record with a 2.69 GAA and .913 spct. in seven contests.

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS

Wednesday, December 4 (Milwaukee Admirals)

* Military Appreciation Night - fans who show a valid military ID at the Scope Box Office or TicketMaster outlets receive $3.00 of any ticket purchased.

* Toys For Tots - The U.S. Marines will be collecting new, unwrapped toys on the concourse which will be donated to the Salvation Army for distribution to underprivileged children this holiday season.

Friday, December 6 - Saturday, December 7 (Rochester Americans)

*Ornaments for The Joy Fund - For their annual Holiday Charity Event, the players' wives and girlfriends will be selling autographed ornaments for $10 outside Gate 14 at Scope to benefit The Joy Fund.

Friday, December 6 (Rochester Americans)

* City of Virginia Beach Employee Appreciation Night - City of Virginia Beach employees who show proper ID (ID badge, paycheck stub) at the Scope Box Office or any TicketMaster outlet receive $2.00 off any ticket purchased in the Blue or White Level.

Saturday, December 7 (Rochester Americans)

*Medical Personnel Appreciation Night - members of the medical profession who show proof of employment at the Scope Box Office or any TicketMaster outlet receive $2.00 off any ticket purchased in the Blue or White Level.

Saturday, December 13 (Hershey Bears)

*Third Annual Toy Toss - fans are encouraged to bring new plush toys to the game and toss them onto the ice following the Admirals' first goal. The toys will be donated to the Ronald McDonald House and the Children's Hospital of the Kings Daughters (CHKD).

TEAM NOTEBOOK

* With seven points last week (two goals, five assists), C Brett McLean moved into third place on the Admirals' scoring list with 6+13=19 points on the season. He is tied with RW Mike Peluso for the second-best rating on Norfolk at plus-8.

* Along with teammate McLean, RW Shawn Thornton is riding a four-game points streak dating back to November 25 at Cleveland. Thornton tallied five points (four goals, one assist) over his last four games.

* The Admirals scored five goals in a game for the first time this season when they defeated the Penguins 5-4 on November 27. They followed that performance by netting five goals against Houston in a 5-4 victory on the 29th.

* After failing to record a win in three straight outings, G Michael Leighton picked up a pair of victories last week (November 27 at Wilkes-Barre; November 29 vs. Houston) to give him nine wins, tying him for the League lead.

* LW Igor Radulov scored a hat trick in Norfolk's 5-4 victory over Houston on November 29. It was the rookie's first pro hat trick, and only the second in team history. (Blair Atcheynum, January 9, 2001 vs. Syracuse).

* Norfolk has played back-to-back games against one team four times this season (Philadelphia, November 7-8; Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, November 15-16; Binghamton, November 20 and 22; Houston, November 29-30). In each instance, the Admirals won the first contest and lost the second.

* The Admirals' 33 third period goals are the most of any AHL club, and they have out-scored their opponents 33-17 in the third stanza, the largest third period differential in the League.

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.

The Admirals Radio Show will air Thursday, December 5 when Pete Michaud welcomes Shawn Thornton and Matt Henderson as his special guests when he broadcasts live from the Azalea Inn/Time Out Sports Bar & Grill, 2344 E. Little Creek Road in Norfolk from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.

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. Season tickets as well as 10- and 20-Game Plans, Flex Vouchers and Group Tickets are available through the Admirals' office. For more information, contact the Admirals at (757) 363-1900 or visit the club's website at www.norfolkadmirals.com.

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American Hockey League Stories from December 2, 2002


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