AHL Norfolk Admirals

Keith, Sound Tigers Claw Past Admirals

Published on February 20, 2008 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Norfolk Admirals News Release


BRIDGEPORT, CT - Matt Keith registered two goals and an assist against his former club as the Norfolk Admirals (19-30-2-4) fell to the Bridgeport Sound Tigers (30-24-1-0) 4-3 on Wednesday night at The Arena at Harbor Yard.

The Admirals got on the board first just 1:42 into the opening frame. Justin Keller sent a snap shot from the top of the right circle through a screen that went off the crossbar and into the net behind Bridgeport goaltender Mike Morrison.

Keith, who played in Norfolk from 2003-04 to 2006-07 and ranks among the franchise leader in several offensive categories, knotted the score at 1-1 with 2:28 remaining in the first period. His initial shot rebounded toward the right corner where Jason Pitton collected it. Pitton sent it back to Keith at the bottom of the left circle for a quick shot that beat Norfolk netminder Marc Denis.

The teams swapped goals in the first two minutes of the second stanza. Radek Smolenak gave Norfolk a 2-1 lead just 31 seconds in the frame with a wraparound goal. The Sound Tigers responded just 1:18 later, as Tim Jackman flew down the left wing, deked around a defender, and sent a snap shot five-hole at 1:49.

Norfolk reclaimed the lead 10:57 into the second stanza. David Schneider took the puck over the Bridgeport blue line and chipped it up to Bracken Kearns between the circles. Kearns sent a backhand shot between Morrison's leg pads for a 3-2 lead.

However, the Sound Tigers erased their deficit and went ahead with a pair of goals in the first nine minutes of the final frame. Kyle Okposo tied the game at 3-3 when he found the rebound of a Jamie Fraser shot and stashed it home for a five-on-three goal at 4:26. Keith scored the go-ahead goal at 8:30 with a one-timer from the slot that was deflected by an Admirals' stick past Denis.

Norfolk sent 13 shots on Morrison in the final frame but was unable to find the equalizer.

Marc Denis (25 shots, 21 saves) got the loss. Mike Morrison (31 shots, 28 saves) got the win.

Norfolk was 0-3 on the power play. Bridgeport was 1-4.

The Admirals will now travel to Manchester, New Hampshire, as they will square off against the Monarchs on Friday and Saturday nights at 7:05 p.m.

The Admirals return to Scope on March 7 against the Philadelphia Phantoms. 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. To purchase Admirals season tickets, ten packs or group tickets, please stop by the Admirals' Administrative Offices at Scope or call (757) 640-1212 weekdays from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Three Stars:

1. Matt Keith - BRI

2. Kyle Okposo - BRI

3. Justin Keller - NOR

Notes: Matt Keith scored 59 goals and 71 assists in 237 career games with Norfolk, ranking fifth in games played, third in goals, seventh in assists and sixth in goals in franchise history ... Justin Keller's goal was the first scored by Norfolk in Bridgeport this season. The Admirals were shut out in their previous three games at the Arena at Harbor Yard ... Norfolk failed to pick up a point on the road in a season series against a division rival for the first time in franchise history by going 0-4-0-0 at the Arena at Harbor Yard this season ... Keller's goal was his first in 11 games since January 12 vs. Hartford ... Mike Morrison, who entered the game with back-to-back shutouts, saw his shutout streak end at 124:07 with Keller's first period goal ... Two of Bracken Kearns' three goals with Norfolk this season have been against Bridgeport ... Kearns and Keller led the team with two points (1-1-2) and a +2 rating each ... Forward Chris Lawrence and defenseman Andy Rogers missed the game due to injury while forward Rob Klinkhammer and defenseman Kevin Quick were healthy scratches ... Attendance: 4,174.

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American Hockey League Stories from February 20, 2008


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