AHL Norfolk Admirals

Helenius Stares Down Tigers in Norfolk Win

Published on February 15, 2009 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Norfolk Admirals News Release


BRIDGEPORT, Ct. - Riku Helenius made 41 saves in regulation and denied all three shooters in the shootout as his Norfolk Admirals defeated the Bridgeport Sound Tigers 2-1 on Sunday afternoon at the Arena at Harbor Yard.

Brandon Segal tied the game for Norfolk (21-25-2-5) in the second period and sealed the victory with Norfolk's third conversion in the fourth round of the shootout.

Bridgeport (30-17-3-2) received 36 saves through regulation from goaltender Nathan Lawson before he allowed goals to Paul Szczechura, Zenon Konopka and Segal in the shootout.

The Sound Tigers took a 1-0 lead 18:03 into the first period when Trevor Smith's slap shot from the top of the left faceoff circle snuck through traffic and past Helenius for a four-on-three power play goal.

Segal tied the game 9:04 into the second stanza on a puck-handling gaffe by Lawson. The Bridgeport netminder went behind the net to corral a dump-in and appeared to experience miscommunication with a teammate over who should play the puck out of the zone. Segal stole the puck near the right post and chipped a shot into the net for a power play goal.

Helenius made two key glove saves on Smith in the third period to keep the score tied at 1-1.

Szczechura led off the shootout with two dekes before sending a shot past Lawson's left leg. After Brandon Bochenski rung a shot off the crossbar, Zenon Konopka sent a wrist shot over Lawson's right leg and Segal sealed the deal with a wrist shot past Lawson's glove. After Ben Walter lost the handle on the puck in the first round, Helenius denied Tomas Marcinko in the second round with a glove save and Trevor Smith with a blocker save in the third round.

Riku Helenius (42 shots, 41 saves) earned his second win of the season. Nathan Lawson (37 shots, 36 saves) took the shootout loss.

Norfolk went 1-6 on the power play. Bridgeport was 1-4.

The Admirals will continue a quick four-game road trip with a Tuesday night rematch with the Sound Tigers. The puck drops in Bridgeport at 7:00.

The Admirals will return to Scope next Friday and Saturday to battle the Binghamton Senators. On Friday night, the team will induct Mark Bernard and Victor Gervais into the Admirals Hall of Fame, presented by the Virginian-Pilot. On Saturday, the Admirals Alumni Game will take place at 3:00 p.m. For more details, please visit norfolkadmirals.com.

To purchase tickets to any Admirals game, you may visit the Scope Box Office weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., visit any Ticketmaster outlet, call Ticketmaster at (757) 671-8100 or visit Ticketmaster online at www.ticketmaster.com. Don't miss a minute of the action by purchasing your 2009-10 season tickets today. Season tickets start at just $42 per month! 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. Riku Helenius - NOR

2. Nathan Lawson - BRI

3. Brandon Segal - NOR

Check out the Norfolk Admirals Statistics

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American Hockey League Stories from February 15, 2009


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