AHL Norfolk Admirals

Home Sweet Home On The Horizon For Admirals

March 10, 2008 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Norfolk Admirals News Release


NORFOLK, VA - Last week, the Admirals concluded their nine-game road trip with a shutout victory and returned home to defeat the division-leading Philadelphia Phantoms in their first home game in three weeks. This week, the Admirals will take on the Phantoms and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins on the road before beginning an eight-game homestand with a pair of games against the Portland Pirates at Scope this weekend.

Last Wednesday, Matt Smaby netted his first goal of the year and Marc Denis made 32 saves as Norfolk shut out the Worcester Sharks 4-0 to close out their nine-game road trip. On Friday, Blair Jones and Radek Smolenak had a goal and an assist each and Denis made 42 saves as the Admirals sunk the East Division-leading Philadelphia Phantoms 4-2 in front of over 5,400 fans at Norfolk Scope.

The Admirals will complete a stretch of 11 of 12 games on the road with contests in Philadelphia on Tuesday night (B2 Night at Baxter's) and in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Wednesday night. They then kick off a stretch of eight-straight and 10 of 11 games at Norfolk Scope with contests against the Portland Pirates on Friday and Saturday nights.

EAST DIVISION STANDINGS

At 23-34-2-5, the Admirals are seventh in the East Division with 53 points. The East is led by the Philadelphia Phantoms (38-21-2-3, 81 pts) with the red-hot Albany River Rats (37-25-1-3, 78 pts) closing in quickly. The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (36-24-0-3, 75 pts) and Hershey Bears (33-25-1-5, 72 pts) are currently in playoff positions seeded third and fourth, respectively. The Bridgeport Sound Tigers (33-27-1-2, 69 pts) and Binghamton Senators (28-27-6-4, 66 pts) sit in fifth and sixth spots, respectively.

THE ADMIRALS' WEEK AHEAD

Tues., Mar. 11 ... at Philadelphia Phantoms (Philadelphia Flyers) ... 7:05 p.m. B2 Night at Baxter's

Wed., Mar. 12 ... at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (Pittsburgh Penguins) ... 7:05 p.m.

Fri., Mar. 14 ... vs. Portland Pirates (Anaheim Ducks) ... 7:15 p.m.

Sat., Mar. 15 ... vs. Portland Pirates (Anaheim Ducks) ... 7:15 p.m.

ADMIRALS' LOG

The Admirals finished their nine-game road trip with a 4-0 shutout of the Worcester Sharks, improving their record on the trip to 3-5-0-1. The road trip covered approximately 1,856 miles over 17 days with approximately 34 total hours spent on the team bus. Norfolk's upcoming eight-game homestand will be tied for the second-longest stretch of home games in Norfolk history, trailing only a nine-game stretch of games at Scope during the 2004-05 season.

On Wednesday in Worcester, Admirals Equipment Manager Pete Henderson participated in his 1800th professional game. He has the most pro experience among AHL equipment managers according to the Society for Professional Hockey Equipment Managers (SPHEM).

D Matt Smaby netted his first goal of the season on Wednesday night at Worcester. It was his first goal since January 3, 2007, when he also scored at Worcester while playing for the Springfield Falcons.

D Kevin Quick picked up two assists for his first professional points on Wednesday in Worcester.

The Admirals scored 10 unanswered goals from the third period on March 2 in Worcester to the second period on Friday vs. Philadelphia.

F Adam Henrich is on a four-game point streak (2-3-5).

C Bracken Kearns has points in three straight games (2-2-4).

LW Radek Smolenak has goals in back-to-back games (2G) and three of his last four games (3G).

F/D David Koci and D David Schneider wore alternate captain's 'A' on Friday night as RW Norm Milley (injury) and LW Karl Stewart (call-up) were both out of the lineup.

Norfolk's 15 first period shots on Friday vs. Philadelphia marked the first time the Admirals had double-digit shots in the first period since February 15 vs. Worcester (11 games).

UPCOMING EVENTS/PROMOTIONS

Tuesday, March 11 (at Philadelphia Phantoms)

- B2 Night at Baxter's - Join your fellow Admirals fans at Baxter's Sports Lounge in Downtown Norfolk on Tuesday night for another Admirals B2 Night at Baxter's. Watch the Admirals in a rematch of Friday's game at Scope as they square off against Scott Munroe, Stefan Ruzicka and the rest of the Philadelphia Phantoms on the big screen starting at 7:05 p.m. For more details, please visit norfolkadmirals.com.

Friday, March 14 (vs. Portland Pirates)

- Pennant Giveaway - The first 2,500 fans through the gates will receive an Admirals pennant, courtesy of Good Neighbor Pharmacy.

Saturday, March 15 (vs. Portland Pirates)

- St. Patty's Day Puck Giveaway Courtesy of Liberty Tax Service - The first 1,500 kids through the gates will receive a voucher for a St. Patrick's Day Admirals Puck courtesy of Liberty Tax Service. These vouchers may be redeemed for your puck upon exiting Scope at the end of the game.

THIS WEEK ON THE IN MOTION PHYSICAL THERAPY ADMIRALS HOUR

Tune in to the In Motion Physical Therapy Admirals Hour on Thursday evening at 6:00 p.m. on ESPN Radio 1310 WGH-AM. "The Voice of the Admirals" Pete Michaud will host the show with (a) player(s) to be announced. To call in with a question, please dial (757) 497-1310.

TRANSACTIONS OF THE LAST WEEK

March 3, 2008

DELETE RW Zbynek Hrdel - Reassigned by Tampa Bay (NHL) to Mississippi (ECHL)

March 5, 2008

ADD F/D Mike Egener - Reassigned by Tampa Bay (NHL) from Mississippi (ECHL)

March 7, 2008

DELETE LW Karl Stewart - Recalled from loan by Tampa Bay (NHL)

ADMIRALS MEDIA GUIDES AVAILABLE

The Admirals are pleased to announce that the first ever Norfolk Admirals Media Guide is now available for purchase. With detailed information on the history of the AHL Admirals, biographies of current players, coaching staff and management, as well as a look at Norfolk's history against its opponents, an Admirals media guide is an excellent companion for any diehard fan while watching or listening to games. Admirals Media Guides are available for $15 at the Admirals Center Ice Souvenir Stand during games or at the Admirals Online Merchandise store at norfolkadmirals.com.

TICKETS

To purchase tickets to any Admirals game, you may visit the Scope Box Office weekdays from 10:00 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.

Save money by purchasing Admirals season tickets, ten packs or group tickets! Stop by the Admirals' Administrative Offices at Scope or call (757) 640-1212 weekdays from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

ON THE RADIO/INTERNET

All games are broadcast on ESPN Radio 1310 WGH-AM. The games are also cybercast at SportsJuice.com. Go to SportsJuice.com, or click on the link at norfolkadmirals.com. Broadcasts begin 15 minutes prior to game time.

Games are also viewable through the Internet on a pay-per-view basis through B2 Networks for anyone with a high-speed cable modem, T1 or DSL broadband connection and Windows Media Player 9 or higher. Visit norfolkadmirals.com and click the B2 Networks banner to view all Admirals' home and away games.

Check out the Norfolk Admirals Statistics



American Hockey League Stories from March 10, 2008


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