AHL Norfolk Admirals

Norfolk Admirals Weekly

December 9, 2014 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Norfolk Admirals News Release


NORFOLK, Va. - The Norfolk Admirals were able to capture four of a possible 12 points during their second-longest road swing of the season that spanned nearly two weeks.

Wednesday night in Charlotte saw the team record a season-high 50 shots en route to a 3-2 victory. After allowing a goal just 25 seconds into play, the Admirals trailed almost the entire game until Nic Kerdiles scored with less than three minutes to play. Kerdiles added another goal as the clock wound down to send the game to overtime. Recently re-assigned Rickard Rakell found twine with only eight seconds to play in the extra session to give Norfolk the hard-fought win.

Kerdiles stayed hot, chipping in another goal on Friday night at Springfield. Yann Danis stopped 27 shots, but his efforts were not enough as the team fell, 3-2, to the Falcons. Max Friberg added his second goal in just six games played as Springfield won their 10th straight game at the Admirals' expense.

Norfolk ran into another one of the AHL's best teams as they faced the Monarchs on Saturday. Manchester got off to a 3-0 lead, but the Admirals refused to quit. Matt Bailey scored and Charlie Sarault recorded his first goal of the season as the team eventually fell to Manchester by a 5-2 final.

Sunday afternoon was the first rest Yann Danis has had in net after starting 10 straight games between the Admirals' pipes. Recent ECHL call-up Ryan Faragher put on the pads, but couldn't help the Admirals claim victory. He stopped 16 shots as Antoine Laganiere and William Karlsson scored in Manchester's 5-2 victory.

The past week saw a flurry of roster moves for the Admirals, including the most notable one announced today. The Anaheim Ducks signed goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov to a one-year contract and assigned him to Norfolk on a conditioning stint. Defenseman Jesse Blacker was shipped to the Florida Panthers on Thursday in exchange for fellow D-man Colby Robak. Forwards Chris Wagner and Rickard Rakell joined the Ducks as the team re-assigned defenseman Mat Clark to Norfolk.

The Admirals return home on Wednesday night to host Charlotte for a 7:15 p.m. puck drop. The team then hosts Springfield on the weekend. Friday's game starts at 7:30 p.m. while Saturday night's game has a face-off of 7:15 p.m.

The Admirals enter Wednesday night's action with a 9-15-0-0 record for a total of 18 points; fifth in the East Division.

ON THE RADIO/INTERNET

All regular-season games will air live on 1650 AM WHKT "The Answer" and online at 1650theanswer.com. AHL Live will also carry online video of every Admirals game on a pay-per-view or season pass basis. Fans can log in to watch, listen or get more information about AHL Live's online audio and video features at ahllive.com.

Tune in live to 1650 AM "The Answer" every Tuesday from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. for the "Admirals Hour" with the "Voice of the Admirals" Pete Michaud and the "Original Admiral" Dennis McEwen. Michaud and McEwen discuss the latest in Norfolk Admirals hockey, speak with guests, update you on the Anaheim Ducks, as well as answer any calls during the show. Ask Pete and Dennis your questions by calling in to the studio at 757-454-1650.

STANDINGS UPDATE

At 9-15-0-0 (16 points), the Admirals are in 5th place in the East Division and are in 15th place in the Eastern Conference.

Eight teams in each conference shall qualify for the 2015 Calder Cup Playoffs. Following the conclusion of each team's 76-game regular season, the three division winners in each conference will be seeded 1-3 (in order of regular-season points) and the next five best teams (in order of regular-season points) will be seeded 4-8.

THE ADMIRALS' WEEK AHEAD

Wed., Dec. 9 ... vs. Charlotte Checkers (Carolina Hurricanes) ... 7:15 p.m.

Fri., Dec. 12 ... vs. Springfield Falcons (Columbus Blue Jackets) ... 7:30 p.m.

Sat., Dec. 13 ... vs. Springfield Falcons (Columbus Blue Jackets) ... 7:15 p.m.

ADMIRALS SPOTLIGHT

- Veteran goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov revives his career by starting on a conditioning stint in Norfolk. Bryzgalov officially signed a one-year contract with the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday and will spend a short time with the Admirals before returning to the west coast to back up Frederik Andersen. "Bryz" has 457 regular-season games of NHL experience and won a Stanley Cup with Anaheim in 2007. The Ducks originally drafted Bryzgalov in the second round of the 2000 NHL Entry Draft.

- Former Admiral and AHL Rookie of the Year Rene Bourque registered his first goal and first point on Sunday at Winnipeg. Anaheim acquired Bourque from Montreal in late November for more forward depth and he made his first mark as a Duck on the power play in a 4-3 overtime victory against the Jets. Bourque put up 33 goals and 27 assists for 60 points as a rookie in 2004-05 for the Admirals becoming one of three Norfolk players to earn the award.

ADMIRALS' LOG

Winger Nic Kerdiles is now tied for the team lead in points (13). His two goals saved the Admirals from defeat late last Tuesday in a game at Charlotte. Kerdiles has received time on Norfolk's top line and the 2012 second-round pick remains a player the Admirals' coaching staff looks to for production in the offensive zone. Forward Emerson Etem returns to the lineup this week following an illness he dealt with over the second half of the most recent road trip. Etem had five points in four games against Springfield last season. Etem skated in 21 games for Anaheim so far this season and scored two goals and two assists. He scored in his first appearance with the Admirals in 2014-15, a 4-1 victory over Charlotte on November 26.

NORFOLK LEADERS

Goals: Chris Wagner (8)

Assists: Brendan Bell (11)

Points: Nic Kerdiles, Chris Wagner (13)

Games: Five players tied (24)

PP Goals: Louis Leblanc (4)

SH Goals: Chris Wagner (2)

+/- Rating: Jared Nightingale (2)

PIM: Nathan McIver (65)

GAA: Yann Danis (3.00)

Spct: Yann Danis (.904)

Wins: Yann Danis (4)

Losses: Yann Danis (6)

GPl: Yann Danis (10)

Minutes: Yann Danis (580:08)

ABOUT THIS WEEK ' S MATCHUPS

Norfolk returns home from a six-game road trip to face Charlotte Wednesday before hosting Springfield this weekend. The Admirals ' last bout with the Checkers was one for the books, as rookie Nic Kerdiles scored two goals 1:30 apart with two minutes remaining in the game to send it to an eventual overtime triumph. Norfolk will then take another crack at breaking the Falcons ' 11-game win streak on Friday and Saturday for the teams ' final two meetings of the season.

Center William Karlsson has continued to prove why he spent the first part of the season in Anaheim, notching three goals and two assists, including two power-play tallies, in his seven games so far. Kerdiles is now tied with Chris Wagner for the points lead with 13 and is ranked 17th among AHL first-years in scoring. David MacDonald has now scored in two consecutive games after going without a point in his first three with the Admirals; Brandon Yip has also posted points in the last pair of games. Home is where Norfolk ' s special teams excellence lies, as their power play is currently sixth (22.9%) in the league and their penalty kill seventh (86.8%). The Admirals thrive in close games, having put up a 7-4 record in one-goal contests and a league-best 3-0 in overtime.

The Checkers saw their point streak come to an end on Monday night with a loss to Iowa, but had previously earned at least one point in their last four games overall and last six at home. Justin Shugg has now scored within the first minute of play in two of the last three games and has caught up to Greg Nemisz for the team lead in goals. Brendan Woods has scored in consecutive games, including two markers on Saturday and has two of the team ' s five shorthanded goals. Blueliner Ryan Murphy leads his position on the team with seven points in 13 games. Charlotte ' s power play has been sluggish, currently sitting 29th in the league (10.2%), and has gone 1-for-19 over the last seven games. They have also had problems as the visitors, holding just a 2-7-1-0 record on opponent ice.

CHARLOTTE LEADERS

Goals: Greg Nemisz, Justin Shugg (8)

Assists: Ryan Murphy (10)

Points: Greg Nemisz (14)

Games: Six players tied (22)

PP Goals: Justin Shugg (3)

SH Goals: Greg Nemisz, Brendan Woods (2)

+/- Rating: Phil Di Giuseppe (4)

PIM: Kyle Hagel (68)

GAA: Drew MacIntyre (2.79)

Spct: Drew MacIntyre (.909)

Wins: Drew MacIntyre (7)

Losses: Drew MacIntyre (10; 1 in OT)

GPl: Drew MacIntyre (17)

Minutes: Drew MacIntyre ( 926:01)

Springfield ' s win on Saturday over Hartford escalated their win streak to a franchise-best 11 straight games, and they have not lost since November 11. Austin Madaisky claims 10th place in the AHL overall and second among defensemen in scoring with his 22 points in 25 games. Though held scoreless on Saturday, Madaisky has put up 11 points and a plus-minus rating of +9 during the Falcons ' streak. Special teams have been kind to Ryan Craig, who has scored five of his nine goals on the power play and one shorthanded. T.J. Tynan is 11th in rookie scoring, contributing 15 points in 25 games. November's Goaltender of the Month Anton Forsberg has showed no signs of weakness between the pipes, winning 10 straight contests and ranking second overall in goals-against average (1.76) and save percentage (.937), and first in wins. Springfield leads the league with 31 goals in the first period, and has won 12 games when leading after one period of play.

SPRINGFIELD LEADERS

Goals: Sean Collins, Ryan Craig (9)

Assists: Austin Madaisky (14)

Points: Austin Madaisky (22)

Games: Six players tied (25)

PP Goals: Ryan Craig (5)

SH Goals: Corey Cowick, Ryan Craig (1)

+/- Rating: Austin Madaisky (11)

PIM: Brett Ponich (72)

GAA: Anton Forsberg (1.76)

Spct: Anton Forsberg (.937)

Wins: Anton Forsberg (11)

Losses: Oscar Dansk (4; 1 in OT)

GPl: Anton Forsberg (13)

Minutes: Anton Forsberg (783:12)

**UPCOMING EVENTS AND PROMOTIONS**

Wednesday, December 10 vs. Charlotte Checkers

- Family Fun Pack

Four tickets, four hot dogs, four sodas, and four popcorns for only $54

-Student Rush Night

Present a valid student ID at the Scope Box Office and receive a Red Level ticket for $9

Friday, December 12 vs. Springfield Falcons

- Annual Toy Toss Night

Bring a stuffed animal or stuffed toy to toss onto the ice once the Admirals score their first goal!

- Boy Scout Night (Tidewater Council)

The Admirals welcome the Tidewater Council of the Boy Scouts of America back to Scope this season for Boy Scout Night. Purchase specifically discounted tickets at the Tidewater Boy Scout Council Service Center in Virginia Beach.

Saturday, December 13 vs. Springfield Falcons

- "Pucks 'N Paws" Night

Bring your dog to the game to help support the Norfolk SPCA. A special seating section will be reserved for dogs and their owners and a percentage of ticket sales will go to the Norfolk SPCA.

TICKETS

Individual tickets are on sale now at the Scope Box Office, all Ticketmaster Outlets, charge-by-phone at 1-800-745-3000, and online at ticketmaster.com. Don't miss a minute of Admirals action by purchasing your 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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