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AHL Norfolk Admirals

Blue and Gold Win Three on the Road

January 5, 2004 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Norfolk Admirals News Release


VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – The Admirals reached a season-high five-game winning streak as they claimed victory in the first three of four road contests last week. Sparked by a pair of Pavel Vorobiev goals, Norfolk finished out 2003 with a 3-2 win at Albany on December 31. The New Year began with a bang for the Admirals, as they shut out Binghamton 4-0 in their first match of 2004 on January 2. Norfolk won its fifth consecutive game when the Blue and Gold outlasted the League-leading Sound Tigers 2-1 on January 3. The team's winning-streak came to an end when the Admirals fell in Hartford, 5-2 on January 4.

First place Bridgeport (New York Islanders) comes to Norfolk for back-to-back games this weekend. The Admirals and Sound Tigers face off at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, January 10 and again on Sunday, January 11 at 4:00 p.m.

The Admirals have climbed to fifth place in the East Division with 36 points (15-20-3-3). They trail Bridgeport (23-7-5-2, 53 points), Hershey (17-13-7-3, 44 points), Philadelphia (19-13-4-1, 43 points), and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (15-14-4-3, 37 points), and are followed by Binghamton (15-15-3-2, 35 points) and Albany (10-15-5-3, 28 points).

THE WEEK AHEAD

Saturday, January 10 ... Norfolk vs. Bridgeport Sound Tigers ... 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, January 11 ... Norfolk vs. Bridgeport Sound Tigers ... 4:00 p.m.

The Blue and Gold and the Sound Tigers split a pair of 2-1 games in Bridgeport thus far this season. Norfolk is now 3-0-0-1 all-time against the Islanders' farm club. The Sound Tigers hold the best record in the AHL and had a franchise-record 20-game unbeaten streak (17-0-3-0) earlier this season. They have allowed the fewest goals in the League (60) and are the least-penalized AHL team (481 PIM, 13 PIM per game). Bridgeport's special teams rank seventh on the power play (15.5) and first in penalty killing (91.2). Jeff Hamilton leads the Sound Tigers in scoring with 25+17=42 points. He is first in the AHL in goals, power play tallies (13), game-winning goals (nine) and shots (151), and is tied with Miroslav Zalesak (CLV) for second in scoring (First - Pavel Rosa, MCH). Hamilton's plus-14 rating is also tops on the Sound Tigers. Eric Manlow has 20 helpers to top the squad. Rob Collins' minus-3 rating is lowest on the club. Brandon Smith is the top-scoring defenseman on Bridgeport with 3+16=19 points. His 16 helpers place him among the top AHL blueliners in assists. Graham Belak has the most PIM on the team with 90 PIM. Minding the cage, AHL Rookie of the Month for December Wade Dubielewicz is 11-3-1 with a 1.26 GAA and a .949 spct. in 15 appearances while Dieter Kochan is 12-4-4 with a 1.71 GAA and a .939 spct. in 20 games. They are first and third, respectively, in the AHL in GAA and second and third, respectively, in spct. Kochan is tied with several others for third in the League in wins.

UPCOMING GAMES/PROMOTIONS

Saturday, January 10 (Bridgeport Sound Tigers)

* Trip for two giveaway. The Admirals will once again be giving away a trip for two to one lucky fan, courtesy of TradeStaff & Company. Sunday, January 11 (Bridgeport Sound Tigers)

* Family Fun Pack Night. For $11.00, receive a Blue Level ticket, a hot dog and a soft drink. Available at the Scope Box Office and all TicketMaster outlets. Must be purchased in advance. Not available the day of the game.

* Post-game skate and autograph session. Fans can bring their ice skates and a limited number of skates will be available to rent following the game. Players will also be available for autographs for those who do not skate.

Wednesday, January 14 (Hershey Bears)

* The last regular season appearance at Scope this season of division rival Hershey.

TEAM NOTEBOOK

* Norfolk saw a five-game winning streak come to an end with a 5-2 loss at Hartford on January 4. The streak, which began December 27 versus Philadelphia, included the only consecutive wins of the season for the Admirals. The team's three road victories (December 31 at Albany through January 3 at Bridgeport) also marked the only time this year Norfolk was unbeaten in consecutive road games.

* RW Pavel Vorobiev scored twice and chipped in an assist in the Blue and Gold's 3-2 win at Albany on December 31. It was the first three-point performance by an Admiral this year since the season opener on October 8. That game saw three or more points tallied by C Brett McLean (3+2), D Marty Wilford (four assists) and F Matt Ellison (2+1).

* On December 31, the Blackhawks reassigned forwards Igor Radulov and Mikhail Yakubov to Norfolk. In his first game with the Admirals this year, Radulov lit the lamp twice in Norfolk's 4-0 win at Binghamton on January 2. Yakubov has registered a point (2+1=3 points total) in each of his three games since being reassigned.

* Chicago reassigned D Burke Henry to the Admirals on January 3.

* RW Shawn Thornton picked up nine PIM last week, giving him 1,845 AHL career PIM. He currently sits seventh on the AHL all-time PIM list, 71 PIM behind sixth place Mike Stevens (1,916 PIM from 1985-94).

* D Tim O'Connell was released from his PTO following the Admirals' game at Hartford on January 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

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. Pro-rated season tickets and 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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