AHL Norfolk Admirals

Lightning Recall Goaltender Karri Ramo from Admirals

Published on December 21, 2008 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Norfolk Admirals News Release


TAMPA BAY, FL - The Tampa Bay Lightning, NHL affiliate of the Norfolk Admirals, have recalled goaltender Karri Ramo from the Admirals, it was announced today by Lightning Executive Vice President and General Manager Brian Lawton. In addition, the Lightning have re-assigned goaltender Riku Helenius to the Admirals from the ECHL Mississippi Sea Wolves, Admirals General Manager Mike Butters announced.

Ramo, a 6-foot-2, 207-pound goaltender in his third professional season, picked up the win for Norfolk last night in Philadelphia, stopping 30 shots in regulation and overtime and all four shooters in the shootout in a 3-2 win. On the season, Ramo has appeared in 23 games with the Admirals, posting a 7-11-4 record with a 3.62 goals-against average and .887 save percentage. The native of Asikkala, Finland ranks among the top five goaltenders in the American Hockey League in games played, minutes and shots faced.

The 22-year-old netminder appeared in six games with the Admirals last season, going 2-4-0 with a 3.33 goals-against average and .898 save percentage. In 74 career AHL games between Norfolk and the Springfield Falcons, he has posted a 24-39-5 record with a 3.31 goals-against average and a .899 save percentage. He represented the Lightning organization at the 2006-07 AHL All-Star Game and was named the top goaltender in the skills competition.

Ramo has appeared in one game this season for the Lightning, stopping 15 of 17 shots in relief on November 23 against New Jersey. He played in a career-high 22 games with the Lightning last season, posting a 7-11-3 record and a 3.03 goals-against average. He also set career-bests for wins, shots faced (632), saves (568), save percentage (.899), goals-against average and minutes played (1,268).

Ramo has played in 25 career NHL games, posting a 7-11-3 record with a .896 save percentage and a 3.07 goals-against average. He was selected by the Lightning in the sixth round, 191st overall, in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft.

Helenius, a 6-foot-3, 202-pound goaltender from Palkane, Finland, went 1-1-1 in three games with the Sea Wolves after being assigned to Mississippi on November 30, posting a 3.53 GAA and .944 save percentage. The 20-year-old went 3-4-1 in his first eight games of North American professional hockey with the Augusta Lynx this season, recording his first Norfolk American pro win in his North American pro debut, stopping 44 of 46 shots on October 21 at Gwinnett. In 11 ECHL games this season, Helenius is 4-5-2 with a 3.80 GAA and .896 save percentage.

Helenius appeared in two preseason games for the Admirals, going 1-1-0 with a 4.00 goals-against average and .840 save percentage.

Helenius appeared in his first North American season last year with the Seattle Thunderbirds of the Western Hockey League. He notched a 22-12-6 record in 41 games with a 2.42 goals-against average and a .915 save percentage. Helenius was originally drafted in the first round (15th overall) by Tampa Bay in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft.

The Admirals will square off against the Philadelphia Phantoms next Saturday night at Scope. The puck drops at 7:15 p.m. The first 500 kids 12 years of age and younger will receive a Chris Gratton mini-bobblehead doll courtesy of the Tampa Bay Lightning.

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 2008-09 season tickets today. 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!

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American Hockey League Stories from December 21, 2008


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